The southern access point for Blacktail Road is located along US Highway 95 about 24 kilometres south of the south end of Long Bridge near Sandpoint or about 42 kilometres north of the interchange between Highway 95 and I-90 in Coeur d'Alene.  Turn off the highway and head east along Blacktail Road for about 4.2 kilometres to a T-intersection with Little Blacktail Mountain Road.  Turn onto Little Blacktail Mountain Road and drive as far as possible depending on road conditions.  The summit is about 8.5 kilometres from the T-intersection.  If parking along the road, be sure not to block any private access roads or entrances.

I managed to drive about 5 kilometres up Little Blacktail Road before lingering snow forced me to park my car.  Zosia and I quickly geared up and started walking along the continuation of the road.  The ascent was very straightforward; we simply followed the road all the way up to the summit.  Any lingering snow patches along the road were easy to walk on since snowmobiles had already packed down the snow.  Only when we ventured off the road did we start sinking into deep snow.

Disappointingly, the summit did not grant the panoramic views I had been hoping for, but we at least could see part of Lake Pend Oreille (there are better views of the lake from lower sections of the road).  After spending about 15 minutes at the summit, we promptly walked back down the road and returned to my car without any trouble and without much fanfare.

	Sonny knocks snow off his boots while gearing up beside his car. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia starts hiking along the muddy road.  Deep snow around the next corner prevent any further driving from this point.
	The partially open slopes of Little Blacktail Mountain grant far-reaching views of the surrounding countryside.
	Sonny passes a sign for a hiking trail that branches off the road.  The sign reads, "This trail system was reconstructed with Idaho off road motorized vehicle grant funds."  Unfortunately, the deep snow makes following the hiking trail too impractical on this day. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

Sonny and Zosia venture off the road and into some deep snow near the summit for this view of Lake Pend Oreille.

 

	To the east, the obvious white-capped mountain in the distance is Scotchman Peak.
	Sonny stands triumphantly on the actual high point of Little Blacktail Mountain (1360 metres). Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Ironically, the best views of Lake Pend Oreille are from the lower slopes of Little Blacktail Mountain.  Packsaddle Mountain is also visible at far left.
	Total Distance:  7.6 kilometres Round-Trip Time:  2 hours 34 minutes Net Elevation Gain:  402 metres GPX Data