PRIEST LAKE SKI TRAILS
I know it's not winter yet, but you can also walk these trails. You can also snowshoe them in the winter, but alongside the groomed trails. No motorized vehicles allowed. Dogs are allowed. Nordic ski trails and snowshoe trails at Hanna Flats are relatively gentle in a meadow and forest setting on the west side of Priest Lake. The trail system is well suited for snow shoers and track skiers. The adjoining airstrip is a great workout for skate skiing. Two short loops are available for skiers and several interlacing loops for snow shoers. The Hanna Grove Nature Trail, located a little more than a mile from the trailhead, is worth checking out to see some old growth cedar trees and read about an old wildfire. Don't forget to find the geocache there!
INFO
There is a Park N Ski Permit Required in the winter. They are $25/season or $7.50 for 1-3 days. You can purchase one here: Park N Ski Permits
DIFFICULTY: Beginner - Intermediate
DISTANCE: 5 miles ski trails, 2.2 miles snowshoe trails
FACILITIES: There is an outhouse, but it has a lock on it at this time. It may be open during the winter? There is a vault toilet at Hanna Flats that is open right now, just down the road. Some of these ski trails actually end up there. This trail system is very big!
I also hear that there is a phone app that acually tells you about the trails and trail conditions! You can learn about this from the Priest Lake Forest Service office, once they're open again after the Covid19 closures. They can also fill you in on ski trail accesses. I will also try to post the information here soon.
The trails in this area are all named. You have Kinninnick, Twin Flower, Orchid, Big Cedar, Buffaloberry, Hanna Grove & Bead Berry.
There are sled dog races here one weekend in January, and Vintage Snowmobile Races during about 3 weekends throughout Jan/Feb. You should come watch the fun!
You can drive down Raven Ranch Road to the ski trail gate to get very near the cache.
MORE INFO FROM THE PRIEST LAKE NORDIC CLUB SITE: Priest Lake Nordic Club
The Priest Lake area has approximately twenty-five miles of groomed Nordic ski and snowshoe trails. Most trails are part of the Idaho Parks and Recreation Park N’ Ski program.
On the west side of the lake are the Hanna Flats and Golf Course trail systems, with connector trails between the resort and the golf course, and from Hanna Flats to above the marina.
On the east side of the lake, there are Nordic trails at the Priest Lake State Park Indian Creek Unit and on Rocky Point, near the Marina. All trails except those on Rocky Point are groomed on a regular basis for traditional kick and glide skiers.
The golf course is also groomed for skate skiing. Assuming adequate snow, NEW THIS SEASON will be the grooming of two loops in the Chipmunk Rapids trail system. Located near the Dickensheet visitor’s center, the Chipmunk trails offer spectacular views of Kaniksu Marsh, Priest River, and the Selkirk Mountains. Along with the groomed Park N’ Ski areas, there are endless opportunities for backcountry skiing around Priest Lake. Maps of the Nordic trail systems are available at the Priest Lake Ranger Station and at the Priest Lake State Park.
Park N’ Ski permit revenues go toward trail improvements, plowing of parking lots and grooming trails. The permits cost just $25 for a full season of fun and adventure, or a $7.50 permit is available for one to three days. Permits can be purchased online or locally. When you purchase a permit, be sure to designate one of the Priest Lake areas at the end of the permit process.
There is a lanyard for the FTF so that you can ski/hike hands free.
MY OTHER CROSS COUNTRY SKI CACHES:
Farragut State Park
Geophysical