Wiildrose Takes a Hike ~ Priest Lk2 Trapper Creek Traditional Cache

This trail is on the EAST side of Upper Priest Lake. It is Trail #302 and comes down to the lake from FS Road #655 to the north. You can drive to the trailhead from either side of the lake, but I would recommend driving the west side road, past Nordman, as it is shorter, straighter and more level. It's actually fun to drive the whole circle around the lake! Anyway, no matter HOW you get there, the trailhead parking is at: N 48 50.618 W 116 56.736, and the trailhead is across the road. Be sure to bring bug spray, and be bear aware. This is black bear & Grizzly bear country. Keep your dogs by your side! They are allowed on the trail, leashed. I actually saw a baby black bear on my drive up here today! It was SO cute! I would hate to see mama, though! The FTF cacher saw TWO bears in this area when he was here. Lucky him.The cache is placed very near the trailhead. I just walked a ways down the trail to place it, in hopes that muggles will be more unlikely to stumble upon it. It is a short walk after a long drive. This trail is a very beautiful forested hike, with lots of huge trees, moss and ferns. I didn't walk it this year, so am not sure about trail conditions. I know that the trails are usually maintained every year, but not this year, due to Covid19. It is just under 4 miles to the upper Priest Lake. You can make this a day hike, or you can camp at Trapper Creek Campground, a hiker/boater only campground, or you can also go all the way to the other end of the lake, to Geisingers Campground, another hiker/boater camp. You can usually go another 1 1/2 miles down the trail, and end up on the East Shore Road, but you have to wade across Caribou Creek to do so, and it is impassable right now, with very high, swift water.

Upper Priest Lake has 4 primitive campgrounds on it. There are 2 on the west side and 2 on the east side. They are only accessible by boat or trail. The Upper Priest Lake is popular with canoes and kayaks, as it is a no-wake-zone lake, and water skiers and jet skiers are not allowed. It is a wonderful place to decompress! The trail is closed to motorized vehicles, but you will see bikes on it.

TRAIL INFO
There are NO bathroom facilities at the trailhead.
Parking is free. I do not know how secure the parking area is. I never leave valuables in my car at trailheads, just as a precaution. You never know.
As stated previously, trailhead parking is at: N 48 50.618 W 116 56.736, and the trailhead is across the road.

Have fun and be safe! I will list more Priest Lake hikes in the future. There are too many to list, but I will highlight some of the more popular ones. Don't forget to stop for ice cream in town on the way home!

OTHER PRIEST LAKE AREA TRAILS
West Side:
Upper Priest Lake Trail, west side of lake
Lakeshore Trail, west side of main lake
Lakeview Mountain
Indian Mountain Lookout
Hanna Flats (1/4 mi)
Hughes Ridge Lookout
East Side:
Hunt Lake Trail
Chimney Rock Trail
Lookout Mountain Trail
Mt Roothan Trail
Lionhead
The Wigwams
Eight Mile Island (boat required)
...and many more!

For information on Priest Lake Trails you can contact:
For West side of Lake: US Forest Service, (208) 443-2512
For East side of Lake: Idaho Dept of Lands (208) 443-2516