Highpoint Trail

The Highpoint Trail is the only trail in Farragut State Park that leaves the shoreline of Lake Pend Oreille and heads up the surrounding rock ridge. It starts from near the visitor center and, after a short time spent walking a dense, overgrown path, continues past a sign warning bikers not to continue before it starts to climb the ridge. Beyond the sign the trail becomes rocky, loose, and at times requires slowly picking your way across scree. The footing requires some smart stepping, but it isn't overly challenging for anyone used to hiking in an area with scree. The trail veers off to the Highpoint viewpoint, and from here it runs alongside the base of a granite cliff face before making its way to the top. The views from the top are somewhat enclosed by the surrounding fir trees, but they offer the smallest of glimpses at Buttonhook Bay below. From here hikers can continue back the way they came, go via a loop back to the trailhead, or also opt to extend their trip on the Scout Trail/Bernard Peak Trail that continues up the ridge for another 6 miles and climbs to 5,150 feet. Farragut State Park is a large complex with seven campgrounds and trails that link various parts of the park. During the busy summer season youth groups make use of the park, but the facilities remain open to other visitors year round. It was once a World War II naval training facility, where submarines made use of the depths of Lake Pend Oreille. Farragut State Park was named after David Farragut, the first admiral of the U.S. Navy, who was appointed during the Civil War. It became a state park in 1965.