Idaho Panhandle National Forests - Coeur D Alene National Forest Map

The Idaho Panhandle National Forests are a jointly administered set of three national forests located in the U.S. state of Idaho. Approximately 22.4% of the forest (in the Kaniksu portion) extends into the states of Montana (14.1%) and Washington (8.3%). The IPNF were created in 2000 to administer three separate national forests that continue to manage themselves somewhat separately through district offices. The Coeur d'Alene, St. Joe, and Kaniksu National Forests together occupy 3,224,739-acre (5,038.66 sq mi, or 13,050.06 km²) in northern Idaho (better known as the Idaho Panhandle). The northernmost portion of the IPNF share a boundary with Canada. Its headquarters are located in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Wildlife

East Fork of Lost Creek - Overnight on trail #598, Coeur d'Alene National Forest, Idaho - I took my young puppy, Timber, out for his first over night stay in the wilderness. We went for just one night and hiked up trail #598 in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest.

The Idaho Panhandle National Forests contain a wide variety of wildlife. White-tailed deer, mule deer, raccoons, elk, grizzly bears, moose, black bears, coyotes, timber wolves, skunks, cougars, marten, beavers, river otters, bobcats, minks, and wolverines are often seen by visitors.

Bird species include ravens, wild turkey, blue jays, California quail, numerous species of grouse, osprey, golden eagle, bald eagle and numerous types of owls. The rivers and lakes in the Panhandle hold some of the best fishing locations in the world.

Wilderness areas

Coeur d'Alene NF Visitor Map - US Forest Service R1 - Avenza Maps. Source : www.avenzamaps.com

There are two officially designated wilderness areas within Idaho Panhandle National Forests that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Both lie within the Kaniksu National Forest section and extend into neighboring National Forests (as indicated).

• Cabinet Mountains Wilderness (mostly in Kootenai NF)
• Salmo-Priest Wilderness (mostly in Colville NF)

References

File:Idaho Panhandle NF Map.jpg - Wikimedia Commons. Source : commons.wikimedia.org

Further reading

Fern Falls, Coeur d'Alene National Forest, Idaho Panhandle .... Source : www.alamy.com

• Ferguson, D.E. and A.C. Zack. (2006). Establishment record for the Wellner Cliffs Research Natural Area: Priest River Experimental Forest, Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Bonner County, Idaho [RMRS General Technical Report GTR-170WWW]. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.

External links

Prescribed burns to start in Upper CdA River area | The Spokesman .... Source : www.spokesman.com

• "Idaho Panhandle National Forests". U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 2013-01-14. 
• "Pacific Northwest Trail". U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 2013-11-19. 

USDA Forest Service - Caring for the land and serving people.. Source : www.fs.fed.us