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SMITH PEAK   7,653 (Class 3) Smith Peak is among the remotest of the Selkirk peaks. The peak’s 800 foot north face is one of the steepest in the Selkirks. </em Difficulty: Elevation gain: Key elevations: Distance: Time: Map: USGS Smith … Continue reading →

WEST FORK MOUNTAIN  6,416 (Class 2) This big mountain looming over West Fork Lake is 3.0m west of Long Mountain. The summit is an easy 600-foot climb from the lake. The northeast face is quite an impressive wall. Difficulty: Elevation … Continue reading →

SALMO LOOP – Snowy Top Mt & Little Snowy Top Mt This 18-mile loop through the Salmo/Priest traverses lush wilderness that narrowly escaped development from all directions. It is the only way to climb these two mountains. Some of the … Continue reading →

Over 65% of Idaho is mountainous terrain. Elevations range from 12,662 feet on Mount Borah in the Lost River Range to only 736 feet above sea level at Lewiston, Idaho. More than 200 summits reach over 10,000 feet and nine … Continue reading →

SHEDROOF LOOP Hikers can combine trails in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness of Washington and proposed wilderness additions in Idaho to make a rugged loop. The problem is, that two of the trails connecting the Shedroof Divide have been poorly maintained in … Continue reading →

SHEDROOF DIVIDE TRAIL #512 This is an up-and-down ridge along the Shedroof Divide in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness in the Washington Selkirks. It borders the west side of the Upper Priest River Drainage. Water is scarce especially from late July through … Continue reading →

HALL MOUNTAIN   6,323 ft Hall Mountain looms unobtrusively over the clear waters of Sullivan Lake. The mountain is home to one of Washington’s most famous herds of mountain sheep. They are prolific and some are frequently relocated. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Difficulty: B1 … Continue reading →

GRASSY TOP MOUNTAIN    (6,253 ft.) This is an excellent ridge-running walk for good views of the Idaho Selkirks, the Priest Lake area and portions of the Salmo-Priest Wilderness.  ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Difficulty: A1 Elevation gain: 1,000 ft. Key elevations: High point: 6,375 ft. … Continue reading →

CROWELL RIDGE This is a scenic, mostly treeless ridge hike in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness. It is the best ridge hike in the Washington Selkirk. After a not-too-steep 4.8km, this offers continuous scenery at a nearly constant elevation. Going overnight involves about … Continue reading →

SULLIVAN LAKE This is an easy hike beginning at a well-developed campground. The trail winds from cool, shaded creek crossings to open scree slopes along the shore of Sullivan Lake. Difficulty: A1 Elevation gain: 320 ft. Key elevations: High point … Continue reading →