Trail Overview

Shoshone Ridge is a scenic trail off of Coeur d'Alene River Road (208). There's a great view at the end of 602, plenty of room to turn around, as well as parking for 3-4 cars. There's a hiking trailhead here as well (Shoshone Ridge Trail #81). You can take a hairpin turn and continue another 1.5 miles up Little Guard Peak Road where you'll find a lookout tower. The tower is available to rent during the summer and has some amazing panoramic views. There's a gate that will be closed when the lookout is occupied by renters.

Photos of Shoshone Ridge (602)

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Difficulty

Shoshone Ridge starts off fairly easy, but ruts and washouts get worse as you near the end. It narrows to a single-width road with occasional spots to pass. True to its name, this road follows a ridge and has a steep drop-off at times. Use caution in snow or mud conditions. Snow is typically present in May.

Technical Rating

Lelen B

Jun 28, 2025

Open

The trail was clear. I rolled a large rock off the road and someone cut a fallen tree that was easy to get around. The washout ruts have grown deeper in places over winter but are easy to straddle or go around. This trail has a few small rocks, but a stock truck/SUV can go over them no problem. Always carry a saw in this area because trees regularly fall across the roads. This is a good safe road to teach a young or inexperienced person to navigate ruts and small rocks like I did with my nephew. The last two miles or so towards the lookout are narrow so if you are in a 4X4 and are passing another 4X4 the person driving up is going to have to drive up the side of the bank to provide enough room to pass. If you don't like sitting sideways at a 30 degree angle turn around when the road narrows. Don't trust the cell phone map for this area, it shows way more coverage than I have gotten and I spend a lot of time in the is area.