NORTHERN IDAHO

Summary

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Climb around Huckleberry Mountain for a likely chance to spot a moose or two while circling through Paper lands. One bonus for all the logging, unobstructed views.

Trail Stats

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Trail Details

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Situated next to Rathdrum Mountain in northern Idaho, Huckleberry Mountain belongs to the IEP, or Inland Empire Paper Company. While access is permitted (no snowmobiles), they do require a permit. These may be obtained as a single day use ticket, valid for the selected day only, or a yearly pass. Year long passes are currently $55. A day pass (non motorized) is $4 per person. There are generally persons posted near the access gates to ensure you have a permit in the warmer months. I’ve never seen anyone asking to see your permit in the winter, though I suppose it could happen. Should you forget a permit, you’ll be out of luck, these permit checkers do not sell permits and consequently access could be denied. Rather a bummer to drive out and have to turn back if you’re forgetful.

As one would expect, the “trails” are merely logging roads winding through areas that often have been logged. Meaning, not the most lovely or scenic of hikes. Unless one really likes a good clear cut. However, these marred slopes are significantly more picturesque when covered in a blanket of pristine white snow. On the plus side, you can see quite a ways with the tree’s removed. Mount Rathdrum dominates the views on this particular hike. Another positive is there are rarely other people out there. You can easily have the whole mountain to yourself. Sans the critters. Loads of four legged creatures up there.

A precautionary mention here. These are logging roads. They wend all up and down the mountains. Pay attention to where you’re headed. A wrong turn could take you to Twin Lakes, Mount Spokane, circling mountains aimlessly or even out via the Rathdrum Mountain trail. The latter being the wrong parking lot unless someone’s picking you up or you’re doing a car shuttle. Granted you could walk a few miles down and out into Rathdrum, post up in a pub and call an Uber or a friend who seriously owes you one. Long tangent aside, there’s a life lesson here. Pay attention to where you’re headed or make sure to bring enough money for a brewery beer. And maybe pizza. Or a burger. Though, some survival gear would also be advised.

Both times we’ve been out to Huckleberry Mountain were in winter. Last time we brought Lucille, much to her chagrin. She was rather displeased to be yanked away from napping all day. But she kind of becomes a bored monster when allowed to sleep for hours on end day after day. She starts getting into things and terrorizing the house like a petulant teenager. So. She came with us. She walked about a mile on this one. And then sat in her carrier, judging everything around for the remainder. For those overly concerned about cold paws, she asks when she wants picked up or back in her pack. Or refuses walk. Cats can be rather direct sometimes.

Heading up the trail a few days ago we passed a few smoldering slash piles. Seems they were up managing the area recently. While Doug was slightly taken aback by the sight, I remember this as being normal WAY back when I was a kid. Cleaning up (ahem, torching) the massive piles of slash left behind following a harvest of trees. Personally, I’m for it. Let’s not leave dry tinder throughout a region plagued with wildfires year after year. Let’s reduce that risk. I’ve lived in “fire zones” the greater part of my life. Have had my town surrounded by fire. Been put on evacuation notice. Watched in horror as a town a few miles down the road burnt to a crisp. It’s not real fun. So yeah. I’m pro management.

The path itself is a mostly gradual incline with a few brief stints that’ll get your muscles going as you climb. Our first time out here, we wound up post holing in knee deep snow. Neither of us are short. I come in at 5’8” and Doug’s over 6 feet. Breaking trail through that was exhausting. Should have brought our snow shoes. As we slogged along we were entertained by two snowmobilers (tsk, tsk, naughty, though I’m uncertain how long the area has specifically banned snowmobiles) having the time of their lives blasting around the clearings. One got stuck. Very stuck. Granted, all this tearing around the open spaces is exactly why the machines were banned to begin with. Tears up the new baby trees they’ve planted. Poor little trees.

Round two on the trail, we still didn’t bring snow shoes but we did bring the cat. The trail this time was half plowed or at least tracked out by a few vehicles. Much more pleasant than post holing. We chose to make the hike into what Doug calls a “lollipop.” Technically, an out and back, but with a loop at the top. While it could be done either way, we chose a clockwise route, largely due to the fact this way we could follow tire tracks and the other way would have been breaking trail uphill. Laziness won out. I have a secret here, I don’t hike for the exercise. I just like being outside and walking. Preferably without a load of other human beings around.

The north side of the trail was a gorgeous winter wonderland. I needed my gaiters as the snow was just high enough to drop into my hiking boots. Minimal logging up here (in comparison to earlier on the trail) so there’s plenty of trees. Snow clung to the branches in a most becoming way. Naturally it’s colder over here, the sun barely hits anything on the north side of the mountain. Entering this shady wonderland you’ll immediately feel the temperature drop as the trail meanders downhill a ways and circles the peak. Eventually, the valley containing Twin Lakes appears, including the lakes themselves and a most glorious red barn. I adore that barn. Looking down from either Huckleberry or Rathdrum Mountain trail makes that barn picturesque.

After that, you’ll come to a junction. There are paths in just about every direction. This is where our handy tracks in the snow ended for us as we needed to veer off the main track that was headed to Rathdrum Mountain. But for now, lunch time. Delicious sammie’s for us, a Churu (otherwise known as cat crack) for Lucille. Then back on the trail. Even Doug donned his gaiters. Thank heavens for gaiters. No one likes snow in their shoe.

To complete our “lollypop” and end back where we began, we continued down the road. Our trail quickly became an overgrown, old, seemingly retired logging road. Full of sapling trees, general overgrowth, snow drifts that would randomly envelop your leg up to the knee, moose poop and their bedding areas, and all sorts of animal tracks. At one point I heard the slightest sound on the hillside. We were lucky enough to look up in time, and witness a pair of moose loping off. They really are remarkably splendid creatures.

Aside from the moose, the remainder of the trail was uneventful. It winds around the hillside, providing ample views along the way before depositing you back onto a in-service logging road. If you chose to complete this hike in a clockwise orientation, pay attention here. It would be easy to miss this turn off as it doesn’t look used (it’s not) and there’s a downed tree crossing the trail. But back to the way out. Follow the road downhill and you’ll find the main road you entered on. Retrace your steps in and viola, back at the trailhead.

While a far cry from making it to my top 10 favorite hikes, this one at least provides decent mileage and views. I generally prefer a single track to a road, but it is nice for winter hiking. Could also be perfect for tick season. Much better to be on a wide path without plants caressing your person as you stroll on through. Complete with those burrowing blood suckers reaching out for you. Unless you like digging ticks out of your flesh. Personally, they give me serious heebie jeebies. Instant revulsion. Make me freak out every time. Not that I’ve ever been accused of being calm and collected. But this is a different level of squawking, flailing freak out. Likely great to watch, less fun to experience. My skin crawls for hours after simply seeing one or even imagining one on me. Does anyone actually appreciate ticks? And if so, what is their problem?

Anyhow, in summary. Ticks are disgusting disease ridden pests that I prefer to avoid. So yeah, wide trails in tick season. Besides that, reasonable hike through paper lands. I appreciate the paper company allowing passage through as there are many areas to explore within their land.

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