Idaho Panhandle National Forests Overview

Kalispell boat ramp

The Idaho National Forest was assembled from the Coeur d'Alene, Kaniksu, and St. Joe National Forests. The area includes portions of Idaho's most scenic mountain ranges—the Selkirk, Cabinet, Coeur d'Alene, and Bitterroot Mountains, as well as the wild and scenic St. Joe River. The big waters of Pend Oreille, Coeur d'Alene, and Priest Lakes, set against lush evergreen mountains, make up Idaho's northern region. When the glaciers of the last great ice age melted, they left a wonderland of lakes, mountains, rivers, and fertile valleys.

Hike on Caribou Ridge
The Caribou Ridge National Recreation Trail is five miles and connects two popular recreation areas, Beauty Creek Campground and Mount Coeur d'Alene picnic area. Four switchbacks help the hiker on the steep ascent (1,800 ft.) to Caribou Ridge. From the top, there's an outstanding view of Lake Cour d'Alene and the mountains.

Ski at Silver Mountain
Silver Mountain is the proud owner of a $13 million gondola. And what a gondola! It stretches for three miles, the world's longest single stage people carrier, and it lifts skiers directly from Interstate 90 at Kellogg to Mountain Haus at 5,700 feet. From there it's a 1,000-foot ride on a triple chair to the top of Kellogg Peak and 2,000 acres of highly skiable terrain on north-facing slopes. With nice touches like free ski check and wax at Mountain Haus, management is on the right track. The 40 percent advanced ski terrain helps too. There are a total of 50 trails on 2,200 feet of vertical, served by five chairlifts and a short surface tow on beginner terrain. Silver Mountain is certainly worth getting to know now, before it gets even bigger. Management says an adjacent 32,000 acres of private land is available for future development.

Fish at Pend Oreille
North Idaho is probably best known for its three large lakes: Priest, Pend Oreille, and Coeur d'Alene. These lakes offer large rainbow, brook, and cutthroat trout. Fish Pend Oreille, Idaho's deepest and largest lake, where anglers catch 20-pound lake trout regularly. Both the world record bull trout (33 pounds) and rainbow trout (37 pounds) were caught here. This scenic lake is surrounded by evergreen forests and overlooked by the Selkirk Mountains. The thing here is to fish deep. Using a boat, sonar, and trolling with downrigger setups will give you the best results when it comes to catching huge rainbow and bull trout. The state record northern pike (38 pounds, 9 ounces) and landlocked chinook salmon (42 pounds) came from Lake Coeur d'Alene, while a mackinaw lake trout exceeding 57 pounds was caught in nearby Priest Lake.

Bike the Route of the Hiawatha
The Route of the Hiawatha is a scenic section of abandoned railbed from the Milwaukee Road that The Taft Tunnel Preservation Society and the U.S. Forest Service have turned into a world-class nonmotorized trail. This adventurous 13-mile trail takes mountain bikers (and hikers) through nine cavernous tunnels and over seven high trestles.

Drive the Lewis and Clark Trail
The Bitterroots had proved to be a rugged test for the Lewis and Clark party, and when they first saw this beautiful area, it seemed like paradise to them. The Nez Perce Indians were gracious hosts and provided them with needed provisions and guides so they could continue their westward exploration. The beauty, serenity, and hospitality of this land made them reluctant to leave. You can retrace the Lewis and Clark Trail along Highway 12. Experience sightseeing, camping, outdoor recreation, and a sense that the same warm hospitality remains.

Wildlife
Tread lightly, and you can expect to see traces or glimpses of moose, as well as herds of elk and mule deer. Antelope are also common here. For the birdwatcher, there all types of birds. Look for snow geese and blue herons—for the best birdwatching, hang around one of the Panhandle's many lakes during the early morning or evening.