Summit and lookout elevation: 4,098 feet
Hiking Distance: 2 miles one-way
Elevation Gain: Around 500 feet in, 300 feet out
County: Kootenai
Access: Good roads
In the block of mountains SE of Coeur d Alene, Carrill Peak offers the best hiking option for a mountain top. The whole hike is nice and the views at the top are rewarding. The trail is an old roadway but it is quickly becoming very trail like.
Route:
The trail/road is straightforward wrapping around some ridges until the last half mile where there is a 3-way junction. (other hiking start locations exist). Take the uphill spur of the 3 routes. This takes you up and around the summit.
WillhiteWeb.com
Access:
Take Highway 97 south of I-90 at the NE end of Lake Coeur d Alene. When the highway wraps into Beauty Bay, a forest road 438 turns left to a camping area. Follow FR 438 many miles to the top of the ridge, then turn left on FR 439. After almost 2 miles on a good gravel road, reach a very large parking area on a saddle, elevation 3982 feet.
Carrill Peak
Start of the trail on the abandoned (and blocked) roadway
Lookout History:
In 1936, a 40-foot L-4 tower was built.
In 1947, the tower was destroyed.
View along the start of the trail
Roadway looking like a trail
Looking East from the summit
Looking South from the summit
All four foundation blocks
Looking Southeast from the summit
Looking Southwest from the summit and Lake Coeur d Alene
He found some metal from the lookout
Another lunch on a footing
Summit view panoramic to the south and west