Playing in Sandpoint

This trail leads from the town of Hope up an old jeep trail to the Auxor Basin and the old Auxor Mine in the Cabinet Mountains. It starts in a deep cedar forest and climbs up to a ridge affording incredible views down the south arm of Lake Pend Oreille. The trail is about seven miles to the top and is in good shape, but it’s all uphill so this is a hike or ride for folks who relish a workout. Near the top, the trail crosses Trail 120, which contours high up on the Pend Oreille Divide and can provide alternate routes on an occasional single track.

Trail description: The trailhead is in the town of Hope, about 16 miles east of Sandpoint on Highway 200, and is not well marked. The trail, actually the old road to the mine, climbs steadily, through beautiful low forests and up switchbacks to gain the ridge with really fine lake views.

Trail particulars: The riding is not technical but the elevation gain is 2,700 feet, so this is more strenuous than most beginners want to bite off. Water is available in Strong Creek and a couple of small stream crossings along the first couple miles, but take water for higher up. Primitive camping is possible in the Auxor Basin or along the ridgeline. This trail is featured in the guidebook, “Trails of the Wild Cabinets,” by Dennis Nicholls, available in the Sandpoint General Store.