Eagle Mountain Trail #206

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Fishing · Historical Significance · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

At mile marker 135.3 on US Hwy 12, Idaho's Northwest Passage Scenic Byway, along the Wild and Scenic Lochsa River, a majestic wooden trail bridge forms part of the Eagle Mountain Trailhead, offering an opportunity to experience the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.

There are certain restrictions when traveling in the wilderness. This trail enters the wilderness Please contact the District office to learn about what is and is not permitted. No motorized vehicles are allowed and a group size limit is enforced.

At first, the run flows through cool cedar groves along Eagle Mountain Creek. After that, it is mostly rocky switchbacks up a ridge to a viewpoint at 5,350 feet. Then the climb eases a bit and you find Indian Meadows Trail #208 at the 5-mile mark.

Climb another 0.5 mile to Graystone Butte at 6,649 feet before dropping down the ridge to a saddle and Gold Meadows Trail #260 at about the 7-mile mark.

Just over the next rise you come to Sponge-Freezeout Trail #209 at 7.25 miles and Long Lake Trail #205 at 7.5 miles.

Climb the ridge with views of Sponge Lake along the way and views of Long Lake, Eagle Mountain Lake and Round Lake from the top of Sponge Mountain at 7330 feet and about 10.5 miles in.

Drop down to a saddle and start a traverse around Eagle Mountain. You'll cross into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness on the side of Eagle Mountain at 11 miles.

Continue the traverse to a saddle and the intersection of Boulder Creek Trail #211 at about 12.75 miles.

At about 13.75 miles End Butte 1 Trail #644 joins from the East.

Traverse End Butte and follow the ridge before dropping down a secondary ridgeline between Wounded Doe Lake and Grotto Lake to Wounded Doe Creek Trail #465 at 16 miles.

Drop down to Grotto Lake and out onto a ridge to meet Rhoda Creek Trail #620 at 16.75 miles.

Seeing Two Lakes head down into the Westerly one to meet up with Two Lakes Loop Trail #218 just above the upper lake at 17.75 miles.

Climb back up to the main ridge and maintain it to the 20.5-mile point and the junction of Cliff Creek Trail #226 and Upper Rhoda Creek Trail #676 at 21.5 miles.

Stay on the ridge until you see Shasta Lake, then drop down to Rhoda Creek and the shores of Shasta Lake before climbing up to a saddle and Lochsa Peak Trail #220 at 24 miles.

Switchbacks down into Old Man Creek and back up the other side to Old Man Lake at 30.5 miles.

Climb most of Chimney Peak and head West on the ridges to Split Creek Ridge Trail #133 at about 38 miles.

Follow the ridge, leaving the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness at about the 40-mile mark, and continue to the top of Ghost Mountain at 41 miles and 6854 feet before dropping down to Fire Creek Ridge Trail #327 at the 41.75-mile mark.

From here it is just a quick drop down to Sheep Hill Trail #340 at 44 miles.

The trail terminates at Coolwater Ridge Road #317 in the old settlement of Redmont, ID just above Boyd creek Spring.