West Fork Lake and Mountain
West Fork Trail #347 offers a fine path to the high Selkirks, with either West Fork Lake or an old lookout site on West Fork Mountain as destinations. Along the way hikers travel through a forest of giant cedars and along the West Fork of Smith Creek before climbing into stands of subalpine and the big granite features typical of the Selkirk Crest.
West Fork Lake is about 2.5 miles in; continue on a steep climb to the peak of West Fork Mountain where the skeleton of an old lookout tower remains. The views are gorgeous. It’s a fine day hike or overnight backpack with good campsites at the lake.
Details: 2.5 miles to lake, moderate difficulty; final mile to peak is strenuous
Directions: Trailhead is 15 miles north of Bonners Ferry via Highways 95 and 1, then east across the Copeland Bridge and Kootenai Valley before turning north on Westside Road and then onto forest roads to trailhead on Road #2446.
More information
Trail map (USFS)
USFS West Fork Trail #347 page