Mount Pend Oreille Out-and-Back

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This is a ridge trail that passes a few ridge summits on its way to the Mount Pend Oreille summit. Sometimes on the ridge crest, and other times just below it, the views are amazing. The trail alternates between traveling on the ridge crest and just below it to the east, and west. So the views are continually changing. The ridge is thinly forested in places, with small grassy meadows elsewhere, and a few talus fields. With its views, varied terrain, and short climbs and descents, this is a very fun run.

Mount Pend Oreille Hike is found in the backcountry of Idaho's Cabinet Mountains. Accessed by about a 1 1/2 hour drive over forest service roads, the fun begins at Trestle Creek Road #275, 12 miles east of Sandpoint on Idaho 200. Trestle Creek Road is a well marked left/north turn off of ID 200 when driving east from Sandpoint. From here:
- go 12 miles on Trestle Creek Road #275
- then veer left onto Lunch Peak Road #1019 for 4 miles
- then park in the parking area, without driving up to the Lunch Peak lookout tower

This run starts at the north side of the parking area on Pend Oreille Divide Trail #67.

Beginning in grass dotted with firs high on the ridge's east side just below its crest, almost immediately the views begin with a hint of what's to come. A couple of short talus fields are crossed as the trail circles beneath an unnamed ridge summit, and another unnamed ridge summit comes into view. The trail then crosses over to the ridge's west side in the saddle between these two unnamed ridge summits.

On the west side of the ridge now, the trail is in forest that drops off to the left/west, revealing the forested valleys below and distant Selkirk Mountains to the west. A few easy, short talus fields are crossed just before the one mile mark that marks the end of the talus fields. After passing the second unnamed ridge summit, the trail ascends two gentle switchbacks at the 1.2 mile mark to arrive at the ridge crest and a small meadow.

After almost a quarter mile on the ridge crest, the trail drifts to the east side of the ridge crest temporarily to pass Gordon Creek Trail #161 on the right. It then descends a switchback, and returns to the west side of the ridge crest. Here on the west side of the ridge crest, the views really open up. Lake Pend Oreille, the Selkirk Mountains, and forested hills and valleys are all seen in these expansive views. The trail traverses the slopes and passes a third unnamed ridge summit on the right.

Returning to the ridge crest, Mount Pend Oreille dominates the view ahead. Very soon the trail comes to what looks like a trail junction, but the real trail goes right to descend via a civilized switchback, to a saddle below Mount Pend Oreille's summit. From this saddle, the trail starts it final push up Mount Pend Oreille as it passes Lake Darling Trail #52 on the right. Soon after, Mount Pend Oreille Summit Spur is found at a signed trail fork. Stay to the right/east here, to go to Mount Pend Oreille's summit.

Continuing to hug the ridge, just below its crest that's to the right/east, the trail climbs somewhat steeply. This is a fairly open area with great views into the distance, to the left/west. Forested hills, valleys, mountains, and Lake Pend Oreille can all be seen on a sunny day. To the right, the grass and talus covered ridge rises steeply to its crest.

The trail then levels off as it reaches the small summit plateau after climbing for the last 0.4 miles. The summit plateau has a few hardy trees perched on its rocky, grassy "table top". Remains of an old lookout greet one upon reaching the plateau. The trail then turns right/east and heads to the summit block, a low rock outcrop at the east end of the summit plateau. Getting there, sheer cliffs drop off on the left/north side of the trail - luckily, on the right is a gentle grassy slope giving plenty of room to stay away from the cliffs.

There are awesome, 360 degree views up here. Selkirk Mountains to the west, Cabinet Mountains to the east. Lake Pend Oreille to the southwest, Pend Oreille Divide ridge going north, and more. This is a great place for lunch. When done admiring the views and eating, retrace your steps to return to the parking area.

Thin conifer forest. Small grassy meadows.