Scotchman Peak, Clark Fork, Idaho
No single mountain ever came to me, so I will always go to them. -said this really, really attractive man who was my favorite race director (Yeti Trail Runners) until Barbarian Scientist just became one for Mountain Magic.
Scotchman Peak, in the Kaniksu National Forest and part of the Selkirk Mountain Range in North Idaho, is what I call our regional famous peak, made famous by the difficult hike up to the beautiful home of local mountain goats.
The roads: I’m not going to say you can’t drive a car there, but I wouldn’t drive one if I had a choice. You’ll make it, but it won’t be comfortable. It’s just a handful of forest road miles, but there are some washout areas, and although they’re not too deep, I would be VERY cautious with a car.
If you decide to take on this challenging hike, don’t be a douche nozzle. Don’t touch the goats. They need to be 100’ away from you. Don’t give them anything or leave anything behind for them. You’re going to get the trail shut down, and the goats moved. And I’ll set you on fire. I think the best way to be the best steward of wildlife is education – I strongly suggest that anyone interested in the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness become involved as a trail ambassador. Please check out Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness and ask questions!
Scotchman Peak is hike 56 in 100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest, with this description: Hikers have to think a bit like a mountain goat to enjoy this hike. The trail is scotch with relief as it leads relentlessly uphill, but the reward is one of the best vistas in the area, formerly the site of a Forest Service lookout. During the 30 years the lookout was used, two of its watchmen were struck and killed by lightning in separate incidents…The route is direct, gaining 3,730 feet in 4 miles. (Hiking down portions of this trail can be more painful than going up, especially if boots are a shade too short.)…The trail ascends heartlessly out of the logged valley for the first mile, then it eases to a more humane grade, but it still proceeds steadily uphill.
It’s rated as hard because it’s hard. Give yourself time, and you’ll be fine. It’s a constant incline, but the views are rewarding the entire way.
If you are interested in this hike but might not be ready, I wrote something called Couch to Scotchman Peak Training Plan. I have included progressively more challenging hikes in our area that will take you to a variety of urban and wilderness areas, with the hope of not only getting you to your epic mountain goat hike but also increasing your knowledge and experience of the variety of local trail systems. If you would like a hard copy, let me know, or you can pick it up at Fleet Feet Coeur d’Alene.
