ICT access issues
There are several places along the Idaho Centennial Trail where you may encounter confusing trail intersections or trail-access issues that you should be aware of. We know about these issues from people who have discovered them on the trail, or because of private land issues adjacent to public lands.
Access to the ICT is blocked near the Vienna Mine due to private lands. Until the trail is rerouted to alleviate the private landowners concerns the following bypass is required: When traveling south on Johnson Creek Trail #181 do not turn left on the Vienna Creek Trail #086 but continue down Johnson Creek and turn left on USFS road #079. Follow this road down the valley and take a left on Emma Creek Trail #063. Continue on the Emma Creek trail until you rejoin the ICT, Trail #224.
Fording Big Creek in the spring can be dangerous. Due to high water in the spring, many experienced hikers have been swept downstream while crossing Big Creek. Here is how to bypass the Big Creek ford: While heading north on Lookout Mountain Ridge trail #61 turn left on the Milk Creek Trail #055. At the bottom of the canyon turn right on the Monumental Creek Trail #005. Then cross the Big Creek pack bridge and turn right on Big Creek Trail #196 until you rejoin the ICT.
Trail junctions can be confusing in Chamberlain Basin. As you approach Chamberlain Basin, the topography is fairly flat with lots of tree cover and several trails converge in the basin area. This can cause confusion. The best solution is to pre-program waypoints into your GPS unit to ensure that you stay on the right trails.
You will approach the basin on Forest Trail 002. When you get to Stonebreaker Ranch, you will bear left on Forest Trail 001, Chamberlain Basin Trail. Follow Trail 001 from Chamberlain Basin downhill to the Campbell's Ferry Bridge on the Salmon River.
Route-finding can be difficult on the Stateline Trail on the Idaho-Montana border. This is particularly true between Hoodoo Pass and Mullan, and between Mullan and Clark Fork. The single-track trail becomes criss-crossed by roads as you travel north from Hoodoo Pass. A number of logging roads will create confusion on the state boundary as you travel north. The best thing we can recommend is to pre-program GPS waypoints into your GPS unit to stay with the route.
Access to the ICT (Trail #120) from Clark Fork may be blocked by private land. We recommend using a bypass route around this private land issue to avoid any difficulties. Drive up the Lightning Creek Road #419 to Porcupine Lake Road #642 and head for Porcupine Lake Campground. On Forest Road #419, you'll need to cross East Fork Creek in a 4WD vehicle. Continue another 2.5 miles to the Porcupine Lake Road #642 and turn left. Its six miles to Porcupine Lake. Pick up Trail #114 at the campground and climb three miles west to the ridge and a junction with Trail #120. Turn left on Trail #120 and head north. Now you're back on the ICT.
At the U.S. 95 junction with the ICT, head south to a bypass route to avoid private land issues adjacent to McArthur Wildlife Management Area. Go south on U.S. 95 for about 6.5 miles to Pack River Road (County Road 47 and Forest Road #231). At this corner you will find a nice convenience store and restaurant. Turn right on the Pack River Road and head north for 13 miles to Fault Lakes trailhead (Trail #59). Pick up the ICT here.
Between Fault Lakes and Hunt Lake, there is no trail. ICT users will need to bushwhack between the two lakes. From the smaller Fault Lake you can follow rock ramps up to the saddle overlooking Hunt Lake. From the saddle stay left travel down a steep talus slope to Hunt Lake. Traverse around the south and west side of Hunt Lake. The east side of Hunt Lake is thick brush. Pre-program GPS waypoints in this area to keep yourself on course. From the Hunt Lake outlet, the trail to the trailhead is almost continuous boulder hopping. The trail route is marked with orange spray paint dots on the boulders.