Mineral Ridge Loop

We drove to the Mineral Ridge Scenic Area to do the loop hike on the eastern end of upper Lake Couer d'Alene. This was a 3.5 mile loop hike with some spur trails with 780 ft of overall gain.

The trail is in a mixed fir and pine forest.

A short spur trail leads to a site of hard rock tunneling.

The tunneling did not extend very far.

view looking out of the tunnel opening

At the top of the loop, we took the Wilson Trail to see the overlook of the far east end of Wolf Lodge Bay on Lake Couer d'Alene.

Views looking west along Wolf Lodge Bay,

and north across the bay.

Two examples of old mining prospects:

View overlooking Lake Couer d'Alene from the west end of the loop

View of Beauty Bay

some wildflowers, snow berry and yellow leaves seen along the trail today: