• Post Falls Dam

  • Photographed by Tom Holman

Hiking

Upper Priest Lake Trail #302 (Priest Lake)
LENGTH: 5.0 miles (one way)
ENDURANCE LEVEL: moderate
SKILL LEVEL: intermediate
ELEVATION: 2630’ trail beginning
SEASON: late June-October

Upper Priest Lake Trail 302

The route to the Trail 302 trailhead is via USFS Road 302 (an extension of State Highway 57) from Nordman. Travel 21 miles north on USFS Road 302 and 1013 over Granite Pass to USFS Road 655. Turn right onto Road 655 and proceed for approximately 1/2 mile. Trailhead is located on Road 655 and ends at Trapper Campground on the east side of Upper Priest Lake. The trailhead will be on your right and the vehicle parking area to your left, across from the trailhead.

Upper Priest Lake Trail 302 is a pleasant, easy hike that traverses a predominately Douglas Fir forest for the first few miles. The trail then drops into an area of old growth cedar as it approaches the north end of Upper Priest Lake.

The trail crosses Ruby Creek as well as other smaller unnamed creeks and eventually follows the east shoreline of Upper Priest Lake to Trapper Campground.

The first four miles of the trail are in timber cover until the lake is reached where it then opens up and follows the lake shore until reaching Trapper Creek Campground. The tread of the trail is in good shape with the exception of several low lying wet areas. The trail passes by an old mine shaft and also Coolin’s cabin, and early hunting stands perched high in the ancient cedars.

 

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