Auxor Mine Route

The Auxor Mine Route is USFS #489 and is a moderately trafficked leisurely mountain drive route that takes you from Lightning Creek, USFS #419 west in the Cabinet Mountains to the crest above East Hope, Idaho overlooking Lake Pend Oreille. The gradual gravel ascent has a few switchbacks, as well as shelf ledges in places, and is subject to rock falls higher in the route. There are multiple offshoot trails with some camping spots, as well as an OHV loop on the east side which has the official Auxor Mine, and another OHV route from the top down the west side to the town of East Hope which also has a hard rock mine shaft next to the trail. There is also Round Top Mountain within a short hike to the north of the crest of the route. The forested area is abundant in Huckleberries with deer and the occasional bear in the area. There is occasional logging and fires in the area, so be alert to signs that will indicate closures.