Little Blacktail Mountain

17 miles south of Sandpoint on U.S. Highway 95 take Blacktail Road. Follow it east 2.6 miles to Little Blacktail Road, turn east again and go another 2.6 miles past East Ridge Road (to Evans Landing trailhead). Keep going, avoiding any road with a gate or trespassing signs. Follow FR315 up until you hit the summit or park if the road becomes too rough for your vehicle.

Summit Elevation: 4,467 feet
Hiking Distance: Drive up or walk up to 2 miles
Prominence: 1,267 feet

In 1933, a 40-foot pole tower with an L-4 cab on top. It was used by the Antelope ranger district and later the Sandpoint ranger district until 1950. The tower was finally dropped from the Kaniksu national forest detection system due to better coverage by other lookouts and airplanes.

From 1952 through 1958, it was used by the state of Idaho forestry under a special use permit from the U.S. forest service. State forestry used it for fire detection from Athol to Sandpoint and as far west as Spirit Lake and Blanchard. When they constructed their tower on Long mountain, they no longer needed Little Blacktail tower.

In 1959 and 1960 the forest service used the tower only to house a short wave radio relay station which is being moved to a new location. The tower was considered surplus and dangerously deteriorated and was destroyed to make room for the micro-wave station that was installed by the Pacific Gas Transmission Co. The site for this micro-wave station has been obtained under a special use permit from the forest service.

In 1961, the lookout was torn down due to its dangerous condition and the area was turned over to the pipeline company.

This relatively easily accessible peak can be done as a short side trip when traveling between Coeur dAlene and Sandpoint.

Nearing the top of Little Blacktail Mountain

East to Packsaddle Mountain

Looking south. You can see where I parked down the road. I was driving my wifes car so I did not want to take any chances of a flat tire. The walk was nice up the road.

Zoom to Mica Peaks and the area of Post Falls and Spokane Valley

There is a motorcycle trail near the summit that goes to the north side of mountain.

Lots of towers at the summit and very few views.