Trail #257 South/Carlin Connector Loop

Dogs Off-leash

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This area of the Coeur d'Alene Mountains has several old logging roads that are good for running. Two of these old logging roads, together with Trail #257 South, make a scenic 7.5-mile loop along ridges and through a creek valley. This is the Trail #257 South/Carlin Connector Loop.

The south side of the loop is Trail #257 South. To complete this loop, the north "Carlin Connector" side of the loop consists of two closed old logging roads - East FSR 453 and FSR 453B, plus a short stretch on Trail #227. This north "Carlin Connector" side of the loop gets its name from nearby Carlin Creek.

Although leashes are not required, dogs must be under control at all times.

To get to the nearby parking area, from I90, take exit 22 onto ID 97 south for 2.4 miles. Turn left onto Beauty Creek Road/FSR 438. Follow Beauty Creek Road for 6.4 miles to Pleasant Creek Road/FSR 453. Go right onto Pleasant Creek Road/FSR 453 for 2.3 miles to FSR 439. Veer right onto FSR 439 and after a tenth of a mile, the parking area is on the right.

This loop can be done in either direction. The counter-clockwise version is described here.

East FSR 453 (Mile 0 - 0.7)
Turn right out of the parking area and follow the road northwest, passing another road on the right (continue straight). After about 0.15 miles, there is a fork in the road. Stay right at this fork and continue on an old logging road (East FSR 453). The trail is flat here and high on the west side of a mostly forested ridge that is an eastern offshoot of nearby Mt. Coeur d'Alene. Although the trail is in the forest, there are grassy open areas with great views of the mountains to the west.

FSR 453B (Mile 0.7 - 3.8)
At the 0.7-mile mark, the trail reaches another fork. Go left here to continue on this route. Now on another old logging road (FSR 453B), this section is also on a forested ridge - a southern offshoot of Mt. Coeur d'Alene. The trail gradually descends the east side of this ridge. Occasional open areas and breaks in the trees provide views of the Pleasant Creek drainage below, and forested ridges and mountains into the distance.

Trail #227 (Mile 3.8 - 4.5)
A junction with Trail #227 is reached at the 3.8-mile mark. Go left here onto the narrow singletrack Trail #227 for the next 0.7 miles. Enveloped by the forest, the trail descends steeply to a small stream, crosses the stream, and levels out as it meets Trail #257 South. There are a couple of trail signs where Trail #227 and Trail #257 South meet up in a heavily forested creek valley where several creeks and their tributaries converge.

Trail #257 South (4.5 - 7.2)
Veer left and continue on Trail #257 South in this forested creek valley. The trail soon begins to climb out of the creek valley on another forested ridge. The Pleasant Creek valley is to the northwest/left, and to the southeast/right is the North Creek valley, both forested valleys with forested ridges beyond. As the trail climbs, views of the nearby forested valley and ridge to the right/southeast emerge through the trees at an occasional small open area. After climbing about 0.3 miles, still following the ridge up, the trail moves to the west side of the ridge. The views are now to the left/northwest for the next 1.7 miles.

FSR 439 (Mile 7.2 - 7.5)
The trail then pops out at the road (FSR 439). Go left onto the road for a little over a quarter mile to return to the parking area where this loop ends, where it started.

A few small grassy open areas, but primarily conifer forest with ferns and other lush undergrowth. The types of conifers and other vegetation change somewhat as the trail spans 1,200+ feet of elevation. Cedars, hemlocks, and some yews can be found at the lowest elevations. Larches are numerous along most of the trail. Various firs and pines are also found.