Trail #257 South

Dogs Off-leash

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

Although leashes are not required, dogs must be under control at all times.

To get to the nearby parking area, from I90, take exit 22 onto ID 97 south for 2.4 miles. Turn left onto Beauty Creek Road/FSR 438. Follow Beauty Creek Road for 6.4 miles to Pleasant Creek Road/FSR 453. Go right onto Pleasant Creek Road/FSR 453 for 2.3 miles to FSR 439. Veer right onto FSR 439 and after a tenth of a mile, the parking area is on the right.

To find the Trail #257 South trailhead, from the parking area hike southeast on the road for 0.3 miles, where the trailhead is marked by a sign in the trees, on the right. The trail begins in the forest and remains within the forest for its entire length.

Upon entering the forest, the trail descends continually for the first 2 miles. During this descent, the trail follows a ridge crest. Small grassy open areas and breaks in the trees provide great views of the nearby forested ridges and valleys. The trail is on the north side of the ridge for the first 1.7 miles. The forested Pleasant Creek valley is on the right to the north. Beyond the creek, forested ridges and mountains rise up into the distance.

At the 1.7-mile mark, the trail moves to the ridge top to continue its descent. Nice views of the nearby ridges to the south/left emerge across the North Creek valley below. About a quarter mile later, the trail reaches the end of the ridge. Here on the valley floor, a few creeks and their tributaries converge. A couple of small creeks are crossed. The trail levels out, and now the only views are views of the trees - cedars, hemlocks, some yews, and low vegetation such as ferns and mushrooms.

After a total of 2.8 miles Trail #257 South ends at Trail #227. These two trail endpoints are marked with two trail signs close to each other.

Dense conifer forest with ferns and other lush undergrowth. The types of conifers and other vegetation change somewhat as the trail descends 1,200 feet. Cedars, hemlocks, and some yews can be found at the lowest elevations. Larches are numerous along most of the trail. Various firs and pines are also found.