Steep Creek Trail #177

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The Steep Creek Trail trailhead is found just north of Priest River. From Priest River, go north on ID 57 for 3.5 miles. Then turn right onto Peninsula Road for 4.5 miles. Go left here onto McAbee Falls Rd/FSR334 for 2.1 miles. Then go left onto FSR 416 for 1.8 miles. Just after crossing over Steep Creek, the trailhead is on the left.

From the Steep Creek Trail trailhead, Steep Creek Trail enters the forest and begins following Steep Creek upstream. With Steep Creek nearby on the left/south, the trail climbs gently for the first half mile, where it meets Quartz View Trail #179 at a bridge across Steep Creek, on the left. Continue straight and veer right to continue on Steep Creek Trail.

Still following Steep Creek upstream, the climb steepens, as the trail begins to traverse the steep northern side of the creek valley. Here, for about a half mile, the trail is out in the open and the views get better and better as the trail climbs. Nice views of this deep forested valley, and then higher up views of distant mountains emerge. At the 0.8 mile mark, the trail turns right to switchback up the hillside and move away from the creek.

The trail re-enters the forest at about the mile mark, as the climb eases. At the 1.5 mile mark, the trail reaches its high point at a somewhat open area overlooking the creek valley. A good look at the deep creek valley and slopes of Peewee Peak on the farside of the valley, are quite impressive, here.

Continuing on in the forest, with the climb finished, the trail circles to the left/south for the next 0.7 miles, to reach a forest road where Steep Creek Trail ends. However, the trail itself continues on the other side of the road as Pee Wee Trail #178.

Mixed conifer forest - cedars, hemlocks, and others. Additionally, there is an open grassy stretch on the hillside of the Steep Creek Valley.