Scotchman Peak Traditional Geocache

To get here from Clark Fork ID turn north on Main Street. Follow this road which becomes FR276 for about 2.5 miles. Turn right on a logging road following signs toward Trail 65. Continue for 1 mile then turn left on road 2294A. Drive just less than .5 mile and turn left again on Road 1058. Follow it for 2.0 miles; turn left for .1 mile to the trailhead.

Like the other three in this series this is not a driveup cache and motorized vehicles are not allowed. Round trip hiking distance is 8.0 miles with an elevation gain of 3730 feet. It's a dry hike so drink water on the way and bring plenty for the trail. This is Grizzly and Cougar country - protect yourself as you see fit. The round trip took me about 3 hrs 45 minutes; you should plan for 4 to 6 hours. The first mile of the trail is brutal in its altitude gain. Take heart though, it settles into more negotiable switchbacks for the remainder of the hike. You'll ascend through alpine forests, south facing meadows with the Clark Fork delta arrayed below. Finally the trail climbs along the rocky west ridge passing through the ghosts of a 1994 lightning fire. I was intercepted by two friendly mountain goats who led me to the summit and pestered me for an hour and a half while I played up there. The summit is quite small, with very steep cliffs to the north, those with acrophobia beware! Remains of the old lookout are evident and there's a benchmark for those so inclined. Views of the Selkirks, the Cabinets, and Lake Pend Oreille are fantastic. The cache itself is a small ammo can full of survival supplies hidden just off the summit to avoid accidental detection. It should be easy to find as satellite lock on up here is a leadpipe cinch. Just to make sure, take a look at the cheater photos - you wouldn't want to hike eight miles and post a no find. For further information on this Fire Lookout and others in this vicinity click the link. Conrad's Forest Fire Lookout Page