Sandpoint, ID

To start our Memorial Day weekend, that would take us traveling to Montana, I thought a quick hike along the way to stretch our legs would be a nice. Snow Creek Falls offered us just that. Although neither myself or my boyfriend are avid hikers, my goal for the year is to get out and enjoy the area around me. My friend at work had gone to Snow Creek Falls the weekend before and told me how amazing it was. Due to the warm weather and the extreme snow pack, the falls were flowing heavy this year, which gave an amazing site for us to view.

Once we arrive to the trail head and I had convinced my boyfriend that it was only a quick hike, a little less than a mile round trip, we got out of the truck and worked our way down the dirt path. I was not sure if my boyfriend was afraid of the bears who could possibly be lurking about or if he was just trying to entertain himself on the walk, but he loudly announced every thing he noticed: trees, sticks, rocks, creeks, whatever he saw… although it was helpful for the most part, I was glad once we had reached the lower falls. After we took in the beauty of the lower falls we hiked back up to where the trail separated between the paths of lower and upper falls. We took the path to the upper falls, which I felt was a much better view of the falls. The path led us around the hillside, with a few creeks flowing down the mountain, giving us a pleasant setting as we made our way to the upper falls.

Although we saw no animals on our hike we had an enjoyable time taking in the beauty of the falls and the mountains. I had packed a picnic lunch where we ate back at the trail head overlooking the valley floor. It was a great start to our weekend and gave us a quick, easy side trip to add to our vacation.

Directions: Go north from Sandpoint on Highway 95 to Naples. Turn left on the old highway 95 and go about 5 miles, passing the Deep Creek Inn. You will cross a railroad crossing, keep following the road until you see a brown Forest Service sign on the right hand side of the road. Turn left off of the old highway 95 and follow the road until it turns to dirt and forms a Y intersection. Take forest service road 402, on the left going up the hill for about 2 miles. There is no definite parking lot, just a pull out near the trail head.