Roman Nose Lakes Accessible Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · 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

The Roman Nose Lakes Accessible Trail starts at the big trailhead sign at the end of the parking lot. This is a flat trail with the first 0.7 miles on a wooden boardwalk.

Right from the start there are views of the lower/first of the Roman Nose Lakes. Set in it talus sloped bowl, dotted with firs and larches, this is a very scenic lake. There are two side spurs of boardwalk that go to the lake's edge, one almost immediately, and the other after about 0.2 miles (1,000 feet). At the lake's edge one can admire its clear, pristine waters and stand in awe of the steep talus covered slopes. These two spurs are well worth visiting.

After the spurs, one finds themself about halfway to the end of the lake. The boardwalk soon gives way to good singletrack that follows the shoreline to the far end of the lake where it ends at a talus field that covers the slopes all the way down to the lake. There are great views here of these impressive slopes dotted with firs and larches. Quite amazing how these trees find a way to grow amid all the boulders.

Mixed conifer forest with subalpine fir and larches. Bushes. Grasses in open areas. Deer live here.