Bernard Peak

A fairly steep hike on a well-groomed trail, shaded by the coniferous tree canopy so typical for the Coeur d’Alene Mountains.
Location
  • Coeur d’Alene Mountains
Rating
2.9 out of 5
Difficulty
Moderate (mostly uphill)
Distance
17.8 miles
Duration
6:03 hours moving time (Hiking)
Elevation Gain
3,099 feet
High Point
5,145 feet (Bernard Peak)
Low Point
2,303 feet (Farragut)
Features
  • Mountain
  • Outing Type
  • Daytrip
  • Trail Type
  • Out-and-back
  • Trailbed
    Packed dirt
    Trail#
    37
    Water
  • Some of the tributaries carried water, but by mid-summer they are likely dry
  • Camping
    • Farragut State Park and atop Bernard Peak
    • Some parts of the trail lead through private property where camping is not permitted
    Conditions
    • Trail was in great condition. Watch out for mountain bikers
    Administration
  • Coeur d’Alene National Forest
  • Idaho Parks & Recreation
  • Status
  • Unprotected
  • Maps
    USGS
  • Bayview
  • Fees & Permits
  • None required
  • (The park charges an entrance fee)
    Open To
  • Hikers
  • Dogs
  • Horses
  • Mountain Bikers
  • (the trail is very popular with mountain bikers)
    Directions
    From Athol, head east on Highway 54 for 4 miles. There is parking at the visitor center. The trail commences behind the visitor center.
    Season
    Year-around
    Resources
      Date
      May 28, 2016

      To practice for longer backpacking trips, the Scribe wanted to test his skills on a 20-ish mile peak with a reasonable ascent. Having already checked off Mount Coeur d’Alene, he set his sights on Bernard Peak. I set my sights on a looooong hike and lots of squirrels. We found both on Bernard Peak.

      We started out on a sunny Memorial Day weekend, leaving the car at the Farragut State Park visitor center. We took the Lynx trail towards trail junction 42, only we didn’t know that because the Scribe didn’t bother to pick up the Farragut Summer Trail map at the visitor center. Hence we ended up wandering around for a while, trying to figure out what the numbers on the sign posts meant (they are numbered trail junctions). To avoid that predicament, you could either take the South Road and park at junction 42, or head towards junctions 42 on the Lynx trail. From junction 42 move south to junction 45 and then junction 46, where the trail exits the park.

      At this point, the Scribe was stubbornly convinced that the trail had to go right, so we circled around for a while until I led him back to the trail junction and we took the left fork. Much better. The trail meandered for a bit and soon rose steadily and leads to a pretty little pond, which I immediately investigated. The water was tasty!

      The trail eventually circles back, so we took the branch off called Scout Trail to Bernard Peak, which continues to climb steadily to a ridge and at at its apex offered filtered views of Lake Pend Oreille. It then descended gradually, ultimately flattening out and expanding into a double track. Around the three-mile mark a side spur led to a viewpoint with a magnificent sweep over Lake Pend Oreille. This is a must, because the remainder of the trail provides just filtered views at best, even at the peak!

      The ascent now got steeper as the trail climbed the flank of the mountain in five giant switchbacks. Conifers provided welcome shade, and the forest floor alternated between curious fungi and pretty yellow wildflowers.

      Near the top, the path crosses a forest road and terminated at Bernard Peak. Having hiked almost ten miles to the peak, it was somewhat disheartening to see a fifth-wheel camper parked at the very top where a lookout tower once stood (FR2708 provides easy access from the other side). There were two large dogs lazying in the sun and I nonchalantly sidled up to them and inspected their food bowls. To my dismay they were water bowls. I gave the dogs a butt-sniffing–all seemed okay–and heeded the Scribe’s impatient call.

      The view was nothing to write home about–mostly scarred mountainsides that had been clear-cut. The Scribe unpacked all the unnecessary gear he brought along and made tea. I got nothing, so I sent the local squirrel population into the pines. Then it was time for a nap, before we headed back the way we came.

      Alternate Routes

        Things to Consider

          Not so great

            Just outside the park
            Mountain views are more frequent than lake views
            Fungi
            Naughty
            Rock formations in the lower part
            There are many switchbacks
            Wildflowers abound
            Lake Pend Oreille
            Lake Pend Oreille
            Lake Pend Oreille
            There are frequent meadows
            Lots of trees!
            There aren’t too many flat trail sections
            Taking a break on Bernard Peak