Fisher Peak Trail #27

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The only reason the difficulty is rated above intermediate is that there are places where the trail is faint and one has to look carefully to make sure to stay on trail.

The trail to Fisher Peak is found deep in the wild, scenic Idaho Selkirks backcountry. Take US 95 to Bonners Ferry. Turn off US 95 onto Riverside Road that is found at the south end of the Kootenai River Bridge. Riverside Road heads west along the Kootenai River towards the Kootenai Wildlife Refuge.
- go 5 miles on Riverside Road to the Kootenai Wildlife Refuge
- turn right onto Westside Road for 10 miles
- go left onto Trout Creek Road/FSR 634 at the sign that points to Trail #27 and other trails
- take Trout Creek Road/FSR 634 for 6 miles to the hiker sign on the right. This is the start of Fisher Peak Trail.
- about a quarter mile further down the road is a small parking area on the left.

Fisher Peak Trail is a forest trail to Fisher Peak's summit.

From the trail sign along Trout Creek Road/FSR 634, the trail enters the forest and begins to climb continually for the first four miles. Much of this climb is in a burn area from a 2022 wildfire. The burn area is nicely regenerating with grasses, fireweed, and other plants and low bushes after only two years (2024). The climb is on good trail and the grade is civilized. At first, Trout Creek can be heard but not seen. A small Trout Creek tributary is crossed at the 0.7 mile mark. Continuing to climb, views of Russell Peak and Russell Ridge on the far side of the creek valley, emerge. By the 1.5 mile mark distant rugged peaks of the Selkirks can be seen to the west. Traveling through short stretches of healthy forest in this burn area, the views get better and better.

Leaving the burn area behind, at the 4.2 mile mark, the climb eases as the trail is now high on Fisher Ridge's east side. Fisher Ridge is the ridge separating the Trout and Parker Creek valleys, with Parker Creek on its west side. From here, the trail traverses the east side of Fisher Ridge in healthy forest. At this higher elevation, the trees are smaller and not very dense, although there is plenty of bushy vegetation. With great views of the Kootenai River in it broad valley, and nearby Farnham Ridge, this is a lovely traverse. Fisher Peak is soon seen nearby to the north.

After about a mile, at the 5.1 mile mark, the traverse reaches the Fisher Ridge crest at a high saddle between Fisher Peak and an unnamed high point on the ridge crest. Here, views to the west open up. Parker Ridge is nearby across the Parker Creek valley below. Past Parker Ridge, more ridges and peaks extend into the far distance, even into Canada. A truly awe inspiring view. Continuing on, the trail moves to the west side of Fisher Ridge as it makes its way up Fisher Peak in the thin forest. On the final push to the peak, the trail crosses back over to the east side, and then back to the west side to attain the summit.

Fisher Peak summit is a nice sized summit area. Ruins of an old lookout are on its north side. The views are awesome in all directions. The Kootenai River in its broad valley is to the east. So is nearby Farnham Ridge. In the distance beyond the Kootenai Valley are the Purcell Mountains. To the west, are Parker Creek valley, Parker Ridge and Selkirk Mountains into the far distance/Canada.

Burnt trees from a recent (2022) wildfire along with new plant life such as grasses, fireweed and other plants. Sections of regenerating and healthy mixed conifer forest (larches, whitebark pines, spruce, and other conifers) with grasses and other plants and bushes. Deer, elk, and bears roam this area.