Shorty Peak

Saturday, July 25, 2020

After our strenuous and failed attempt to reach Roman Nose Peak yesterday, for our last hike in the Selkirks today we did an easier hike and visited Shorty Peak, which is in northern Idaho just south of the Canadian border.

There’s a lookout on the peak that can be rented. We did not have a reservation and just planned to check the summit out and not disturb anyone who might be staying there.

This was at the trailhead. This was not the first time we had seen one of these signs. We carried bear spray on every hike, but never saw any sign of a bear.

Hike to Shorty Peak

Just a few hundred feet down the trail is this huge sign, like it was designed for roadside, not trailside. Also, the mileage is wrong:

Shorty Peak Hike

The entire route is through the trees until the very end:

Shorty Peak Hike

Shorty Peak Hike

At the two mile mark we passed the side trail to the spring. We headed down this trail on our way back to see the spring, but after 0.2 miles we still hadn’t reached it, and we were losing elevation, so we headed back:

Shorty Peak Hike

The very last stretch of trail to the top emerged from the trees out into the open:

Shorty Peak Hike

Shorty Peak Hike

After 2.5 miles we reached the summit and the lookout, which was built in 1964:

Shorty Peak Lookout

Shorty Peak Lookout

Shorty Peak Lookout

Shorty Peak Lookout

There is an enormous fire pit up there:

Shorty Peak Hike

A peek inside:

Shorty Peak Lookout

Shorty Peak Lookout

Toilet with a view:

Shorty Peak Hike

Shorty Peak Hike

This is Lone Tree Peak, just west of the lookout:

Shorty Peak Hike

The views up there were great in all directions:

Shorty Peak Hike

Shorty Peak Hike

Shorty Peak Hike

Shorty Peak Lookout

Shorty Peak Hike

Shorty Peak Hike

Shorty Peak Lookout

We were very close to the Canadian border and we could see Creston, BC

Shorty Peak Hike

Shorty Peak Hike

Looking north into BC:

Shorty Peak Hike

We sat on the catwalk enjoying the view for a few hours. We saw no one else the entire time we were up there. Then we headed back down to the car:

Shorty Peak Hike

As we hiked out we passed four people heading up with overnight packs. They had the lookout rented for that night and were excited to get up there. We wished them well and continued back to the trailhead.

Gaia stats: 5 miles, 1,200′ elevation gain

And that was the last hike of our trip to the Selkirks! What a beautiful area. I’m so glad we got to visit and that we had good weather and smoke-free skies.

See other posts from this trip: