Roman Nose Lakes Trail #165A

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Features Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The Roman Nose Lakes are found deep in the wild, scenic Idaho Selkirks backcountry. Going north on US 95, about 22 miles north of Sandpoint and just south of Naples is a turnoff to the left/west onto Deep Creek Loop - take this turnoff. Once on Deep Creek Loop, it can take up to 2 hours to get to the trailhead, as the roads become increasingly rough. From here:
- go 6.3 miles north on paved Deep Creek Loop
- then turn left onto Lions Den/Snow Creek Road for 2.0 miles (this road turns right after the first half mile, and then left to cross the railroad tracks after another 0.9 miles)
- then go left at the Y onto the gravel FSR 402/Snow Creek Road for 9.1 miles
- then veer left onto FSR 1007 for 7.3 miles (this road gets worse and worse as it goes over Caribou Pass and Ruby Pass)
- then go right onto FSR 2667 for 0.5 miles
- then stay right (on FSR 2667) at the Y for 1.0 miles to overflow parking, and another half mile to the trailhead parking

Roman Nose Lakes Trail #165A is a looping side trail off of the main Roman Nose Lakes Trail #165. It has two trail junctions along the main Roman Nose Lakes Trail #165 - at its 0.3 mile mark and 0.6 mile mark. This trail description is from the lower 0.3 mile mark along the main Roman Nose Lakes Trail #165, to the upper trail junction at its 0.6 mile mark.

From the trail junction at the 0.3 mile mark along Roman Nose Lakes Trail #165, Roman Nose Lakes Trail #165A gradually climbs the western slopes rising above the lower Roman Nose Lake. Starting off in the forest, the trees thin as the trail climbs, revealing great views of the lower lake below. Eventually, the trees become sparse on this rocky hillside, and there are views to the east of the Kootenai River Valley and Purcell Mountains, also. After about a mile, the climb ends with a final series of switchbacks, that are basically one long awesome viewpoint.

The trail then heads north traversing the rocky slopes to the end of the ridge that the slopes are part of. As the trail reaches the ridge end, views to the west emerge also. In addition to the views to the east, now to the west rugged peaks and slopes of Idaho's Selkirk Mountains can be seen. The trail descends down this north end of the ridge for its final 0.4 miles. Along the way, it re-enters thin forest.

After a total of 1.4 miles, Roman Nose Lakes Trail #165A ends at the 0.6 mile mark trail junction along the main Roman Nose Lakes Trail #165.

Mixed conifer forest with abundance of subalpine fir. Larches at higher elevations. Dense undergrowth of bushes. Grasses in open areas. Deer live here.