One of a series of four mountain top caches overlooking Lake Pend
Oreille. Packsaddle Mountain, Blacktail Mountain, and Scotcman Peak
are the other three. Definitely not a drive up cache; done right it
will entail a nine mile roundtrip hike with a cumulative elevation
gain of 2800 feet. There is possibly available a shorter hiking
route but why would you pass up a hike that offers such spectacular
views? You'll need good hiking boots, stout legs, good lungs, and
the ten hiking essentials.
To get here go to Clark Fork ID. Turn right at the forest
service access sign toward Johnson Creek Road. Cross the Clark Fork
River on an old one lane bridge and turn right onto Johnson Creek
Rd. Drive 2.6 miles and bear left at a Y onto Lakeview Rd #278.
Follow it for 7 miles to Johnson Saddle. At the saddle bear right
for about 100 yards to the trailhead.
The trail undulates up and down along Monarch Ridge with a net
elevation gain of only 500 feet but a total elevation gain of about
2800 feet. Its one of the few hikes I've done that is truly uphill
both ways! If offers spectacular views of Pack Saddle Mountain to
the south and brief glimpes of Lake Pend Oreille to the north UNTIL
you break out into the Kilroy Burn area just below the summit of
Green Monarch Mountain. From that point the views of Lake Pend
Oreille are spectacular. When you reach the summit of Green Monarch
you'll descend about 500 feet and then gain it all back climbing
Schafer Peak. The trail descending from Green Monarch is a little
sketchy at first but not difficult to follow. It breaks out onto an
old logging road (Trail #68). Look for Trail #68 to turn right off
the road and make the final ascent. The entire ridge is covered
with Huckleberry bushes, Beargrass, Kinnikinik, and Indian
Paintbrush; it is the largest huckleberry patch I've ever seen.
When you reach the summit take the time to explore in all
directions, proceeding southwest offers even more great views of
the lake. For further information on this Fire Lookout site and
others in the vicinity click the link.
Conrad's
Forest Fire Lookout Page
The cache itself is a .30 cal ammo can hidden right at the
summit. It is hidden very well so be sure to refer to the spoiler
pictures and the hint as you wouldn't want to hike this far and log
a no find. Please rehide it well. Enjoy this hike - it is featured
in the Spokane Mountaineers 100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest by
Rich Landers; deservedly so.