Potlatch Canyon Trail

The Potlatch Canyon Trail starts at a paved trailhead. The first half mile is along a paved river access trail before splitting at a picnic table and climbing through the forest to a nice overlook of the river. Along the trail you will walk in the shadows of tall cedars and ponderosa pines with breaks into small clearings full of green grass and early spring wildflowers. The trail than follows an old road with impressive views of the canyon below. The trail than drops back to the Potlatch River where is follows the river along an old railroad grade (pieces of the track can still be found). Along the river access points to the water can be found and breaks into large open meadows provide impressive views, signs of bear, moose, elk, and deer are evident through this area as well. After a short climb above the river the trail than passes through a gate where it rejoins with the paved trail. The paved trail is a mile long walk back to the parking lot. Make it a weekend and check out the Little Boulder Campground 1/4 mile up the road. This forest service campground sits on the edge of a mountain meadow full of blooming camas in the early summer.

Location: 46.773510, -116.456340

TO TRAILHEAD: From Deary, Idaho head east on Highway 8 to the town of Helmer. In Helmer follow signs to Little Boulder Campground (right on Park Road). After three miles trailhead is on your left just before bridge.

Feather Creek Trail

Feather Creek Loop Trail is a designated U.S. Forest Service trail, number 789A, that is open to horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. The trail is located approximately 6 miles north of Bovill, Idaho within the Saint Joe National Forest. No fees are required, limited parking is available, and the trail is open from May to October. The trail has two established loops, the smaller loop is approximately 5 miles long, and the longer loop is approximately 11 miles long. The two loops share approximately 1.5 miles of trail.

Location: N46.93836 W116.41346

From Moscow, Idaho travel east on US Highway 8 for 32 miles from the Safeway parking lot. At Bovill, Idaho turn left (north) onto US Highway 3 and travel 4 miles to mile marker 43. Turn left onto Talapus Creek road and travel approximately 1 mile to Feather Creek road looking for the Feather Creek Trail sign. Turn right and follow Feather Creek road for 1.5 miles to a small parking area at the trailhead.

Upper Basin Interpretive Trail #747

Trailhead is accessible via FS Road #382 north of Elk River, ID. It is an Easy hike that is a 5.0 mile loop. The Upper Basin trail is a 5-mile loop in the Elk Creek basin. The trail was built as an interpretive trail with markers along the way, guiding you through old growth stands in a lush forested setting. The markers correspond to a brochure at the trailhead. The total elevation gain is about 400 feet and much of the trail runs along an old railroad grade which is flat and soft.

To get to the trailhead, travel to the town of Elk River, Idaho (Rt. 8 East from Moscow), turn left onto N. Front Street and stay straight on this road. It will eventually turn into a gravel road. At the fork, take the right Fork onto Forest Service Road 382 toward Upper Basin. In about 8 miles, turn Left onto a short spur that leads to the trailhead and parking area.
GPS coordinates: N46 53.075, W116 09.674