Hunt Lake Hunt Lake is a beautiful alpine lake high in the Selkirk Mountains on the east side of Priest Lake. If you have never been there before I suggest going with someone who has; it took me three tries just to find the trail. The roads aren’t clearly marked, and any signs that might be helpful have been destroyed by gunfire. Any directions I found weren't very helpful due to poor distance estimates and the mountains are a maze of logging roads. Having said that, here is my attempt to give directions. As you’re headed north on the east side of the lake on Eastshore Road there is a long section of road that is right next to the lake. Once the road pulls away from the lake you will cross a bridge over Hunt Creek (the name is stenciled on the concrete barrier). Immediately after that, forest road 24 is on the right. Take that and about a mile later is an intersection where you can go straight or take a right. Take the right and pay attention to the paint on the trees. You’ll come to a big blue four (4) about four miles after you left the pavement; take another right. In about another one-half mile you’ll come to what seems like about four roads intersecting at a large wooden reforestation sign. Take the one just to the left of the sign and continue for one mile. Take another left on road #241. At this point the road deteriorates, so be sure to use a four-wheel drive vehicle with good ground clearance for the last 3 1/2 miles on this road since the washout prevention humps seem like they are every 10 feet! The end of road #241 has a small parking area. From there follow the trails through the trees until you come across large light gray boulders. From this point you can head out over the boulders or stay toward the upper part where the boulders meet the trees for an easier trail. Keep an eye out for orange or red paint spots on the rocks because these are what guide you across the boulder fields to the lake. From the beginning the trail veers to the right over a small hill and opens to a wide section of boulders. The ridge at the end of the field is your destination. I've always enjoyed boulder climbing and this trail is just up my alley. However if crawling across rocks for a mile or so doesn’t sound like a good time to you I wouldn’t suggest this trail. Even though it was challenging my six-year-old made it just fine. Once over the ridge there is a small pond on the left. My kids looked at with disappointment and said “That's it??”. Just a little further and you are greeted by a pristine lake in a large mountain bowl with jagged cliff rocks at the top and trees down by the lake. It’s a stunning view, making the drive and hike worth every effort. The water is very clear, and the rumor is that the fishing is excellent. Another rumor, shared by a hiker that was with us, is there’s another lake over the saddle of the bowl at the far end of the lake. That’s a trip for another time when I don’t have two small children with me. Good spots for a picnic by the lake and time for a quick swim, and it’s back across the boulder fields to the truck. A stop in Cavanaugh Bay at Cav’s on the way back hit the spot for dinner. By Shane Airey It’s a stunning view, making the drive and hike worth every effort. The water is very clear, and the rumor is that the fishing is excellent. 5
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