Idaho Panhandle National Forests
Idaho Panhandle National Forests | |
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Location | Idaho-Montana-Washington, United States |
Nearest city | Spokane, WA |
Coordinates | 47°43′N 116°13′W / 47.717°N 116.217°W |
Area | 3,220,000 acres (13,000 km2) |
Established | 1912 |
Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
Website | Idaho Panhandle National Forests |
The Idaho Panhandle National Forests are a jointly administered set of three
Geography
Elevations on the IPNF range from 2,100 to 7,600 feet with as much as 80 inches of precipitation at high elevations. The IPNF is characterized by several mountain ranges including the Selkirk Mountains, Cabinet Mountains, Purcell Mountains, Coeur d'Alene Mountains, and Bitterroot Range, interspersed with large lakes such as Lakes Coeur d'Alene, Pend Oreille, and the upper and lower Priest. Major river valleys consist of the St. Joe, Coeur d'Alene, Priest, Pend Oreille, Clark Fork, and Kootenai.
Wildlife
The Idaho Panhandle National Forests contain a wide variety of wildlife. White-tailed deer, mule deer, raccoons, elk, grizzly bears, moose, black bears, coyotes, timber wolves, skunks, cougars, marten, beavers, river otters, bobcats, minks, and wolverines are often seen by visitors.
Bird species include ravens, wild turkey, blue jays, California quail, numerous species of grouse, osprey, golden eagle, bald eagle and numerous types of owls. The rivers and lakes in the Panhandle hold some of the best fishing locations in the world.
Wilderness areas
There is one officially designated
- Salmo-Priest Roadless Area (Idaho Portion)
- Selkirk Crest
- Scotchman Peaks
- Mallard-Larkins
Recreation
The IPNF manages for a diversity of recreational opportunities, and there are extensive trail networks for stock, OHVs, hiking, and winter snowmobile and cross country skiing. Over 1,400 miles (2,250 km) of trails are maintained for hiking and 800 (1,290 km) miles for ATV use. Notable trails include the
Photos
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The St. Joe River at Red Ives
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Winter on the North Fork of the St. Joe River
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Little Guard Lookout in the Coeur d'Alene River area
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Winter view from near theLookout Pass Ski Area
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2017 Inland Empire dog races near Priest Lake
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Settlers Grove of Ancient Cedars
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Stream running into Coal Creek
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Shoshone Ridge from Pond Peak
References
- ^ a b U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 2013. Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Revised Land Management Plan - Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Missoula, MT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Region.
- ^ "Ranger Districts of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests". Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ "Pulaski Tunnel Trail". Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ "Route of the Hiawatha". Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ "Emerald Creek Garnet Area". Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ "Settlers Grove of Ancient Cedars Trail". AllTrails.com.
- ^ "Granite Falls and Roosevelt Grove Trail". AllTrails.com.
Further reading
- Ferguson, D.E. and A.C. Zack. (2006). Establishment record for the Wellner Cliffs Research Natural Area: Priest River Experimental Forest, Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Bonner County, Idaho [RMRS General Technical Report GTR-170WWW]. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
External links
- "Idaho Panhandle National Forests". U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
- "Pacific Northwest Trail". U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 2013-11-19.