East Canfield Butte Loop

East Canfield Butte is West Canfield’s less famous and less tall twin. Access is from the Fernan trailhead, which is certainly less used and a bit more tranquil, especially during the winter months, when dirtbikes are absent. It is fairly densely forested, though, with limited views. If the weather cooperates a short sidetrip to West Canfield is almost a necessity.
Location
  • Coeur d’Alene Mountains
Rating
2.2 out of 5
Difficulty
Moderate (uphill)
Distance
8.9 miles
Duration
3:48 hours moving time (Snowshoeing)
Elevation Gain
1,904 feet
High Point
3,869 feet (East Canfield Butte)
Low Point
2,276 feet (Trailhead)
Features
  • Mountain
  • Grove
  • Outing Type
  • Daytrip
  • Trail Type
  • Lollipop
  • Trailbed
    Packed dirt
    Trail#
    9, 10, A, D
    Water
  • Only at Dry Gulch and Stacel Draw crossings
  • Camping
    • There are a few campsites a short way into the hike, along the edge of Dry Gulch
    Conditions
    • There were a few trees to climb over, mostly along “D” and “9” trails; otherwise the trails were in good condition. However, they are severely rutted in many paces from heavy motorbike usage.
    Administration
  • Coeur d’Alene National Forest
  • Status
  • Unprotected
  • Maps
    USGS
  • Fernan Lake
  • Fees & Permits
  • None required
  • (None required)
    Open To
  • Hikers
  • Dogs
  • Horses
  • Mountain Bikers
  • ()
    Directions
  • From I-90 take exit #15 (Sherman) and head north through Fernan Lake. Continue for just over 5 miles. There is a large paved parking lot to the left, just after entering the National Forest.
  • Season
    Year-around
    Date
    December 11, 2016

    The trail (#10) starts at the rear of the parking lot and parallels Dry Gulch through mixed cedar, fir, and pine forest for about a quarter mile. The trail crosses the creek and climbs the mountainside at an angle. Shortly afterwards, the forest opens up and enables views of the surrounding hillsides. A number of switchbacks help with the ascent, but it really isn’t all that steep. About a mile into the hike the trail emerges onto an old fire road (now called “A”) at the Resolution Station.

    Cross the road and turn upwards at a steeper angle; in fact, this is the steepest section of the trail as it simply follows the ridge straight up. The trail crosses another fire road and after a half mile emerges onto a fire road called “B”. Cross the road and head north, in a sweeping curve along the side of the mountain and then back onto the ridge. The trail is now both “B” and “10”.

    Shortly before the 3-mile mark the trail splits, with “B” bearing left and “10” going north. The #10 trail is a bit overhung by shrubbery, but after about 50 yards a sign identifies the trail. Continue up along the ridge, at a less steep angle now, to the junction with trail “D”. At that point head west, and slightly downhill, a section of trail that has been deeply rutted by motorbike use. The trail opens up onto Stacel Saddle at the 3-mile mark. A number of fire roads converge here. Take the single track that ascends the hill at the opposite end of the saddle (ie, between the 2 fire roads heading west). This trail section is also much carved out and makes traversing in snowshoes challenging. The trail ascends once again and reaches the pinnacle–East Canfield Butte–just before the 4-mile mark.

    Continue on “D” to the intersection with trail #9 (Jump Trail). Since the views from East Canfield aren’t the greatest, you might take a short detour along “D” to West Canfield. Otherwise drop down steeply along trail #9, crossing FR 1562 and try not to miss the Y where trails #8 and #9 separate (around the 4.5-mile mark). Head east here to stay on #9 (I missed it and went down #8 to the junction with “B” and followed “B” eastwards to its intersection with #9; beware of that if you follow my GPS tracks).

    The trail continues to drop sharply to Jump Station (intersection with “A” trail). Continue downhill all the way to Stacel Draw. After crossing the creek, take a sharp left, steeply uphill. Or, do as I did and follow the fire road to the very edge of the National Forest and then loop back in a sweeping arc and head uphill to trail “A”. Follow trail “A”, a wide fire road, back to Resolution Station. From there it’s a mile back to the trailhead.

    Alternate Routes

    • Continue on trail “D” to West Canfield Butte
    • From Jump Station, follow trail “A” to Resolution Station

    Things to Consider

      Not so great

        Heading uphill towards Resolution Station
        Crossing Dry Gulch
        Western red cedar near trailhead
        Snow-covered forest
        Stacel Saddle
        Icicle-decorated log
        Snow getting deeper
        Steeper climb towards B trail
        Snow-veiled view south
        View south towards Fernan Lake
        Heading back up to Resolution Station
        All logging roads look alike…
        Stacel Draw crossing
        Snow-covered shrubs
        Jump Station
        Junction of 9 and B
        Gnarled tree near junction of 9 and D
        “View” from East Canfield Butte
        Heading towards Stacel Saddle
        Prominent tall tree in much younger forest