Cooler temps, shorter days and the shifting of green to golden yellows, deep oranges and auburns usher in the calm after the busy summer season in Sandpoint. Autumn means uncrowded trails, colorful scenic drives, and the perfect weather for fitting in your last hikes before the chill of winter sets in.
The greater Sandpoint area offers plenty of opportunities to relish in the heart of fall. Activities abound for everyone including eye-popping walks, hikes, biking routes and drives which transport you through some of the best fall foliage that northern Idaho has to offer.
Close to Sandpoint
One of the most accessible and in my opinion, beautiful fall activities in Sandpoint, is taking a walk through the forest that lines the shore of Lake Pend Oreille via the Pend Oreille Bay Trail. This 3.3 mile, out and back trail is walking distance from Sandpoint’s cafes, shops and restaurants so it’s easy to grab a coffee and hoof it to the trail. During the peak of the fall colors, this virtually flat trail (59 feet of elevation gain) takes you down a tunnel of massive deciduous trees alongside the pristine waters of beautiful Lake Pend Oreille. Dogs are welcome and may be off leash in some areas, which is a plus for all the puppy owners!
Another trail along a waterway close to the Pend Oreille Bay Trail as well as downtown Sandpoint is the Sand Creek Trail. This paved, 3.6 mile out-and-back trail can easily be walked or biked as you take in the scenery of Sandpoint, the Cedar Street Bridge, and the braids of Sand Creek which meander towards Schweitzer and the Selkirks. Along the way you’re likely to see geese, ducks, great blue heron and other waterfowl. If you’re lucky you may even catch a glimpse of turtles sunning themselves on logs above the waterline. Dogs are also welcome on this trail, but must be on a leash.
There are a multitude of other hikes that offer different perspectives of Sandpoint which are sure to have you in awe of their colorful autumn displays. Mickinnick Trail, Gold Hill, Viewski, High Point trail, Pine Street Woods, and Hayes Gulch to name a few.
Take a Scenic Fall Drive
If hiking doesn’t suit your fancy, there are a few drives in the area that will lead you into the heart of the fall colors and force you to slow down, one of which is the drive up Upper Pack River Road. Along the Pack River the deciduous trees burst with color, and along the slopes of the mountains the vibrant Tamaracks stand out amongst their evergreen companions. Simply driving along the road is a beautiful excursion in itself but if you’re wanting to immerse yourself even deeper, there are multiple day hikes along the Upper Pack River Road which are sure to satisfy any itch. Caribou Lake is a short but steep hike along an old two-track-road. The trail allows use by ATVs and motorcycles, if getting your off-road vehicle fix is on the agenda, otherwise most of the time you will be hiking along in dense forest until you get closer to Caribou Lake. You’re afforded a nice view just before you hit the lake.
A Little Further Out
Harrison Lake is probably the most popular day hike in the Selkirks, for good reason. This 4.6 mile out and back hike has beautiful vistas of the Selkirks and of course of Harrison Lake and the small cirque that surrounds it. Rivaling the popularity of the Harrison Lake hike is the trek up to Beehive Basin, another stunning alpine lake tucked in between granite peaks. Lastly, the 10.5-mile Chimney Rock Trail is a longer, more difficult trail that will get you onto the crest of the Selkirk mountains. This hike gives you spectacular views of the Selkirks, Chimney Rock (a 204-foot granite pillar) and on clear days you can even see back to Lake Pend Oreille.
While shooting photos and visiting the various locations to create this piece I was in awe of the gorgeous changing of the season I was able to witness. Even though I grew up in Sandpoint I was constantly reminded of the beauty that I am surrounded by. I couldn’t stop ohhhing and ahhhing as I walked down the Pend Oreille Bay Trail. The colors were so abundant and vibrant that it overloaded the senses. While driving the Upper Pack River Road I was awestruck by the views of the mountains as well as the colorful, forested river valley that winds its way into the heart of the Selkirks. It seemed like someone had flipped the switch on the saturation filter and cranked it to its highest setting; the colors were almost unreal. It’s no doubt that cozy little Sandpoint, surrounded by the Selkirk and Cabinet mountains and the majesty of Lake Pend Oreille, is an amazing place to witness the changing of the seasons.
No matter which outdoor activity you want to do this autumn to see the colors in north Idaho, Sandpoint surely has something for you. Get out and enjoy the season while you still can!
Jasper Gibson is a born and raised Idahoan, growing up in Sandpoint, Idaho. He has worked with major U.S. companies including The North Face, Mountain Hardware, Marmot and Smartwool. His work has been published in Outdoor Magazine, National Geographic’s Extreme Photo of the Week and on Redbull.com. Aside from his commercial work, Jasper has been a photographer on multiple expeditions around the world.
Published on October 31, 2023
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