Trip Report: Star Peak

I visited the American West for the first time this past summer. What a life changing experience it was! I lived with my aunt in Northern Idaho for a month, hiking and mountain biking at every opportunity. The most memorable trip I took was a day hike to the summit of Star Peak in the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Area.

After an hour and a half drive around Lake Pend Oreille, my cousin and I made it to our destination - mile marker six on Montana Highway 200. Here, we parked our aunt's van and started hiking a grueling five miles, gaining about 4,100 feet of elevation, to the top of Star Peak, elevation 6,167 feet.

I thought my previous treks in the Southern Appalachian Mountains would have prepared me for this climb, but after two and a half miles of seemingly endless switchbacks on an old mining road, we were gassed, and only halfway to the top!

An old mining road leads you halfway to the top.

Worried that our adventure may end with a disappointing summit view, we soon started to notice snow drifts along the trail and knew the end of the trail was close. As we came around to the northern exposure of the mountain, more and more snow covered the trail and finally, we could see the peak.

Snow drifts covering the trail.

Almost from nowhere, views of the Cabinet Mountains exploded out in front of us. Instantly it became the most beautiful place I have ever witnessed.

The Cabinet Mountains, as seen from Star Peak.

An old fire lookout stands at the top of Star Peak.

After an hour or so spent at the top of the world, we decided it was time to head back down. Neither of us wanted to leave; we both agreed that this was the most spectacular place we had ever visited.

My cousin (left) and I at the summit of Star Peak.