Independence Creek to Faset Peak Loop

The Independence Creek National Recreation Trail uses an old wagon trail roadbed that connected loggers and miners in the Coeur d’Alene Mountains to Lake Pend Oreille in the olden days. The loop starts at the eastern trailhead and hugs the creek closely to Ermine Ridge, where it hops onto that ridge and climbs to Faset Peak, site of a former fire-lookout tower. For the return trip the path drops down along the southwestern flank of Faset, riding a ridge separating the Declaration Creek and Surprise Creek draws. It reunites with Independence Creek on the approach to Snowbird Meadows and follows the creek all the way back to the trailhead.
Location
  • Coeur d’Alene Mountains
Rating
3.0 out of 5
Difficulty
More Difficult (12 river fordings)
Distance
25.4 miles
Duration
8:17 hours moving time (Hiking)
Elevation Gain
3,069 feet
High Point
5,257 feet (Faset Peak)
Low Point
2,866 feet (trailhead)
Features
  • Mountain
  • Riverwalk
  • Structure
  • Grove
  • Meadow
  • Outing Type
  • Daytrip
  • Trail Type
  • Lollipop
  • Trailbed
    Packed dirt, forest roads
    Trail#
    22, 414, 416
    Water
  • Independence Creek and numerous tributaries
  • Camping
    • There are established campsites at Independence Meadows, Green Meadows, Faset Peak (dry), and Snowbird Meadows
    Conditions
    • Excellent, but make sure to bring your sandals.
    Administration
  • Coeur d’Alene National Forest
  • Status
  • National Recreation Trail
  • Maps
    USGS
  • Faset Peak
  • Cathedral Peak
  • Fees & Permits
  • None required
  • ()
    Open To
  • Hikers
  • Dogs
  • Horses
  • Mountain Bikers
  • ()
    Directions
  • Take I-90 exit #43 (Kingston) and head north on Coeur d’Alene River Road (aka FH 9) for 23 miles. Near Pritchard bear left onto NF-208/ Tepee Creek Road (this really means going straight) and continue for another 20 or so miles. Shortly after crossing the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River the road turns to gravel. It will steadily deteriorate and is now called FR 6310. After about 3 miles park at the intersection with FR 3906. You can continue onto 3906 for a quarter mile (uphill) then descend on FR 924 to the Independence Meadows campground, but that road is deeply rutted and may require a high-clearance vehicle. Doing so would chop three-quarters of a mile each way off the loop.
  • Season
    May – October
    Resources
      Date
      May 28, 2017

      A year ago we made an attempt on Faset Peak, starting from Weber Saddle and bushwhacking down to Upper Independence Creek Trail #3. Ultimately, this cost us too much time and we had to turn around before reaching the peak. Here is our second attempt, this time starting at the eastern trailhead, the confluence of Independence and Tepee Creeks.

      To get to the trailhead of trail #22 (Independence Creek National Recreation Trail) hike up FR 3099 for a few hundred yards (it is a scree-covered dirt road), then descend on road 925, a deeply rutted dirt road. In about three-quarters of a mile you will reach Independence Meadows Camp, a primitive backcountry campground featuring a vault toilet, plenty of parking, and a few firerings. It is popular with dirtbikers and ATVers, so brace for noise. Trail #22 actually veers off to the right just before reaching the camp and climbs a bit to cross a stubby knoll that pokes out into the Independence Meadows flood plain. On the other side of the knoll you’ll be treated to nice views of the creek as it squeezes through the pine-covered hills.

      The trail is a singletrack that stays elevated above the flood plain until you get past Minor Creek. There are a couple of forks in this area, the first one just past Minor Creek connecting back to FR 3099 (trail #404) and just a little bit later, past Emerson Creek, a second one leading up to Devil Peak (trail #56). Bear left in both instances.

      The trail then descends close to the creek level, but stays on its north side, while moving in and out of open forest and across verdant meadows. At the four-mile mark you get to cross the river for the first time. It is about knee-deep at the end of May, when most of the snow melt is already done. Not even a half mile later the trail shifts back to the north side and crosses Green Creek, a sizable tributary.

      A wide flood plain featuring an excellent campsite then opens up before you. In a quarter mile the creek approaches the trail, reshaped by the whims of nature and the craftiness of beavers. Look for the beaver dam near the trail and likely deer in the underbrush. Beyond that point, an even broader meadow follows, inhabited by an army of ground squirrels standing guard over lifesaving tunnels.

      Just past the six-mile mark you get to several fordings, four in total, spread out over perhaps a half-mile (one is traversable via a fallen log) and soon after that you reach the Ermine Ridge trail fork. This trail leads uphill for four miles through a dark and sinister and dense forest, with the ground barren and pine-needle covered, enabling only mushrooms to thrive. To top it off we came across bear scat near the start of the trail. But as you get to the higher reaches the trees thin out and mosses pop up at first, then sporadic grasses and shrubs and soon a fairly thick cover of beargrass, huckleberries, strawberries, and thimbleberries.

      Within a mile of Faset Peak we happened upon this grassy bald crag with astonishing views to the north, where we took a break and pictures. The last mile to Faset Peak was mostly an easy traverse, dropping down a bit at first, then leveling off, and only the last bit was a steep ascent. Above 4800 feet we came upon the last reminders of winter, a few scattered patches of snow, and a motorbike helmet. Ermine Ridge trail #414 ends at the top of the ridge, but is short of the peak itself. To get to the peak take FR 2378 east for a short quarter-mile hike to the top. There used to be a fire lookout there, but only the concrete footings remain. There are also the remains of a log cabin and a newer radio antenna mast. Alas, the views aren’t great, as the peak is mostly hemmed in by mature trees. The best opportunity for pictures is just below the peak on the east side.

      Then it’s back on FR 2378 and a bit beyond the fork with trail #414, where trail #416 (Declaration Creek trail) drops off to the left. This is a pleasant downhill along the side of the mountain and later straddling a side-ridge above Declaration Creek. At the 15-mile mark the trail merges once again with #22 near Snowbird Meadows. Swing a left onto #22 and head back to the intersection with the Ermine Ridge trail, a stretch just over 3 miles. But a pretty stretch it is, through light forest, green meadows, mostly alongside the creek, and with a number of tributaries to cross. Then it’s back to the car in about 7 miles.

      Alternate Routes

      • Park a second car at Webber Saddle and continue on #22 (see Upper Independence Creek trail guide)
      • Add a side trip to Devil Peak (trail #56)

      Things to Consider

        Not so great

          Independence Meadows
          Independence Meadows campground
          Trailhead of trail #22
          There are many tributaries to cross. That means many opportunities for a quick dip
          Looking northwest along Independence Creek
          Independence Creek near Minor Creek
          There are many meadows and flood plains. Look for deer, moose, and beavers
          Naughty following the path like she’s supposed to
          Beargrass
          Independence Creek is just over knee-deep this time of the year
          Shortly past Green Creek
          There is broad flood plain west of Green Creek. Watch for signs of beavers
          A white-tailed deer in the meadow below
          Green Meadows
          Crossing Independence Creek
          Taken while standing in the middle of the creek
          Trillium
          Bear scat
          Morrels?
          Much of the Ermine Ridge trail is dark and sinister forest
          A bald knob on the ascent to Faset Peak. Great views..
          View from bald knob
          More views from bald knob
          A patch of snow and a helmet. No skull inside
          The remains of a log cabin on Faset Peak
          View east from just below Faset Peak
          An old logging road leads up to Faset Peak and is evidently drivable
          The descent from Faset Peak takes the form of a single-track along the flank of the peak
          Back to Independence Creek and a pretty meadow to boot
          Snowbird Meadows
          View northwest along Independence Creek near Snowbird Meadows
          A jumble of logs in Independence Creek
          Independence Creek
          Lots of verdure everywhere…
          The obligatory carcass