Hunt Creek Falls

Calling this a hike is a bit of a stretch. However, it has been a tough, emotional week and we didn't want the week to pass by without getting some sort of a hike in. So we took the easy route, we went with a simple hike, one we have done many times, stayed close to home, and we just focused on being with those we love the most and enjoying our time together.
The drive into the "trailhead" is as easy as they come. A few rocks in the road, but no biggie. Technically you could drive almost the entire way, but we opt to pull over and "hike" the l00 feet to the falls. It really is beautiful anytime of the year.
After admiring the falls, we took the trail that went along the creek and back into the forested area. This is a super easy, no sweat hike. It was cool today (it didn't even hit 60 degrees), but on a hot day, there is plenty of shade.
We strolled for about an hour, not making much ground. We took the time to admire our surroundings, the water, the baby moose leg that was freshly chewed and just being out in God's creation. There are a lot of trees down, so you do have to climb over the occasional downed tree, but this is about as easy as they come. We spent a couple hours outside, enjoying the fresh air, and being together. It really was, just what we needed. Next week, we will conquer something more challenging.

How to Get There: 

From Priest River, head north on Highway 57 about 22 miles and turn on Dickensheet Road. Drive five miles and turn right on Cavanaugh Bay Road, which will turn into East Shore Road. Just past the three mile marker will be Forest Road #23. It takes off up the hill to the right. The only sign is a brown post with a white “1” on the front and “23” on the side. Take this road up the hill and turn immediately to the left. There’s a sign for a Department of Lands camping area. Pull in and stay to the left, following the road until it gets too rough. Park and you’ll hear the water. Follow the road on foot the last 100 feet to the falls.

Nonexpert Tip:

For the sake of all those using the trail after you, take all souvenirs with you, I don't want to explain your left behind treasures to my children. My kids are always picking up litter, and I don't need them touching that! May I also suggest that these kind of activities be enjoyed off the main trail.

Lookout Lake Attempt

We failed to reach our intended destination yesterday (Lookout Lake), but that wasn't due to lack of trying.
I had ask Kyle if he would be joining the kids and I the night before and he told me he wouldn't have time. He helped me pick a trail that we thought would be good for our first hike of the season. Despite us looking at the intended trail together, there was some lack of communication about where we were really headed.  As the kids and I were heading out the door, Kyle was getting the van ready. He told me he decided he could go, as we thought we would only be gone a couple of hours.  As the kids were piling in the van I informed him I was planning to take a vehicle with higher clearance and 4 wheel drive and he said it wasn't necessary; I assumed he knew something I didn't.  He didn't. So, about 2 miles up to the trailhead we decided a higher clearance vehicle was required, and we should hike the rest of the way as the poor van was scarping bottom and it wasn't worth ruining the van over. We did build about 5 mini bridges using rocks, logs, sticks, dirt to help the van drive over some of the deeper water diverters (not sure of their official name, but they are suppose to help the road not washout) put into the mountain road.

We reached the trailhead after about 3 steep miles later and we were so excited when we saw the sign saying we were at the trailhead, we took the obvious wider road/trail. We were pumped thinking we had about 30 minutes to the lake. About 10 minutes into this section of the hike, Nora exclaimed, "I can't wait to see the Eiffel Tower." I loved it! About an hour later, our excitement diminished as we had about 4 options of trails to take, a poor map in our trail book, and no clue which way to go. We tried about 30 minutes in each direction with fairly steep inclines and one frustrated mom.  Once we made our way back to the trailhead we realized that in our excitement, maybe sweaty eyes, and exhausted bodies,  we had somehow missed the arrow pointing the direction we should go and we headed on the trail IDL uses to access the Lookout.

Despite only being 30 minutes away from Lookout Lake and having worked so hard, our water supply was running low and our legs were sore so we decided it was time to head back. We kept the momentum going with the promise of ice cream at Indian Creek Campground Store, only to discover the store was closed (we didn't get off the mountain until after 6pm). 
We made it back to the van with 2 bloody noses, a couple scraped knees, a lot of sweat, and even a thunder storm, but the kids kept on smiling (to be honest, I wasn't smiling much).

I am sore, however, it didn't phase the kids. 7+ hours of hiking and when we got home they went and jumped on the trampoline for an hour...and after I was able to scrap myself off of the couch, I found them some ice cream in the freezer for dinner around 8pm.

How to Properly Get There:

Drive north from Coolin on Cavanaugh Bay/Eastshore Road/State Forest Road # 1 toward the Lionhead Unit of Priest Lake State Park (23 miles). Continue about 4 miles past the Lionhead Campground and bear right onto State Forest Road #44. Continue on Road #44 for 2 ½ miles to the junction with State Forest Road #43, turn right onto Road #43.  Go ¼ mile to the junction with State Forest Road #432 turn left onto State Forest Road #432 and climb steadily for 3.0 miles to the trailhead on the left. There is a rock with to identify this, with a helpful arrow. Follow the trail to Lookout Lake. Beyond the lake, the trail ascends to a small saddle and trail junction. Stay on the trail to the left. This trail segment will terminate at Lookout Mountain Road. Follow this road to the lookout site. (Directions were taken from priestlake.org, I added the parts in italics)

Nonexpert Tip:
Don't try and go up a mountain road with a minivan.