Eagle Ridge Trail #537

The vistas along the Eagle Ridge Trail are worth the climb for willing hikers and horsemen. From its northern terminus at the district boundary, the Eagle Ridge trail is a typical ridge trail with only minor uphill and downhill stretches. At mile 3.5 this trail begins to climb Eagle Ridge through ceanothus brush and small Douglas-fir thickets. It passes the old Parachute Ridge lookout site, where the view to the east of Lynx Creek drainage is beautiful, and dips into a small saddle at mile 4.5. A small stream crosses the trail at this spot. The trail climbs from this saddle through lodgepole stands to top out twice on minor open promontories. After this second open point, the trail levels for a mile, passing to the west side of The Drop Off and ending. The Drop Off is a sheer rock face rising some 400 feet. Eagle Ridge trail ends on top of a ridge at 7600 feet elevation. Majestic views into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, the mountainous Bitterroot Divide between Idaho and Montana, and much of the eastern side of the Red River Ranger District are available at that point.

At a Glance