Wolf Lodge Mountain Lookout Site

Elevation: 4,735 feet
Hiking Distance: Half mile one-way
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
County: Kootenai
Access: Good gravel and dirt roads to near end

This is an interesting mountain. Just below the top is some rock work that has been there generally undisturbed for quite some time at the top of a long talus field. Down the talus field, there is an old rail tram with the wood boards still in place, nearly rotten to nothing. The old road basically ends at the bottom of the talus field so mining or lookout supplies where hauled directly up once reaching the talus. It is very interesting but I do not know the real history of what was going on. At the top of the tramway, a very difficult to construct pathwoay starts wrapping the mountain again in the talus. There is probably a mine site nearby.

The easiest access is via Fernan Lake Road, exit 15 off I-90 in Coeur d Alene. Just get off the freeway and start up the road passing houses, then the lake shore, then up a nice paved road into the mountains to Fernan Saddle. Continue north from the saddle on a paved road for roughly 3 miles to FR 434. Go right on this gravel road for approximately 2.6 miles the spur road on Wolf Mountains east ridge. This spur goes to a gravel pit where you can park.

Wolf Lodge Mountain

From what I could tell, there is not currently a trail up Wolf Lodge Mountain although evidence on the mountain suggests there was one at one time. Relics and trail like features were either part of the lookout camp or mining activities near the summit. From the rock quarry, look for a hidden trail on the north (right) side). This hidden trail follows an old road along the north side of Wolf Lodge Mountain to the West side of Wolf Lodge Mountain. The trail ends just after passing the large talus field on the West side. Hiking up this talus field is probably the easiest or most brushless route up.