USDA Forest Service Celebrating Wildflowers

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Northern Region Viewing Area

LOCATION and PHOTOS

Lower Granite Creek Falls.
Lower Granite Creek Falls comes thundering over a sheer rock wall. Photo Larry Stritch.

View through Roosevelt Grove, an ancient grove of western red cedars.
A gentle walk through the ancient grove of western red cedars can be awe inspiring to the visitor. Take a few moments to just contemplate the forest before you move on. Photo Larry Stritch.

Wake Robin.
Wake Robin (Trillium ovatum) This beautiful early spring wildflower can be found along stream banks and on the floor of open and deep woods. Photo by Larry Stritch.

Fairybells.
Fairybells (Prosartes trachycarpa). Fairybells are found in the rich damp soil of woods often near streams and may be observed along Granite Creek. Photo Larry Stritch.

Granite Falls Trail 301

Forest: Idaho Panhandle National Forests

District: Priest Lake River Ranger District

Description: The North Fork Granite Creek winds through stands of towering ancient western red cedar trees. Some of these towering giants date back 2000 to 3000 years. Two trails are maintained from the trailhead. An easily hiked trail of 365 feet runs along the creek bringing hikers to a viewpoint of the Lower Granite Creek Falls cascading over a sheer rock wall. There is a one mile loop trail of moderate difficulty that leads up the old road for 200 feet above the trailhead. This longer trail will bring you through ancient western red cedars and after a series of switchbacks will bring you to views of the Upper Granite Creek Falls and the Lower Granite Creek Falls. Hiking is permitted among the old growth trees.

Viewing Information: Wildflowers dot the forest floor with shades of pink, yellow, blue or white, with a different display for spring, summer and fall. Species that are commonly encountered include lily of the valley, spring beauty, trilliums, violets, foam flower, and wild ginger. The cool, moist temperatures of this secluded snap shot of history make this site a wonderful place to visit on a hot, dry summer day.

Safety First: Always be prepared for inclement weather. Bring appropriate clothing and footwear. Also, please bring drinking water and insect repellant.

Directions: From Priest Lake Ranger District travel 4 miles north to Nordman, then 14 miles north of Nordman, Idaho, there's a unique area of old-growth cedar named for President Theodore Roosevelt. Since the early 1900s, this area was noted for its beauty. On April 15, 1943, the grove was officially designated as a Scenic Area.

Ownership and Management: U.S. Forest Service, Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Priest Lake Ranger District.

Closest Town: Nordman, Idaho.

U.S. Forest Service
Rangeland Management
Botany Program
1400 Independence Ave., SW, Mailstop Code: 1103
Washington DC 20250-1103

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Location: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/regions/northern/GraniteFalls/index.shtml
Last modified: Tuesday, 24-Jun-2008 21:56:24 EDT