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Moose Lake Trail #237 - 5 members in 5 triplogs have rated this an average 4.2 ( 1 to 5 best )
5 triplogs
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Sep 22 2025
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 Guides 112
 Routes 2,293
 Photos 9,227
 Triplogs 2,644

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Moose Lake and Mountain Trail LoopNorthern, ID
Northern, ID
Hiking avatar Sep 22 2025
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,644
Hiking12.32 Miles 2,688 AEG
Hiking12.32 Miles   6 Hrs   4 Mns   2.33 mph
2,688 ft AEG      47 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Foggy drive up to Moose Mtn trailhead. Temps around 42 degrees at the start. We opted to do the loop counter-clockwise, adding two more lakes along the way. Muddy trail in places, and lots of wet vegetation. Wood boardwalks span the boggiest sections of the trail.

At the first junction, we headed south, enjoying the gentle incline. Took the turn towards Blacktail Lake. There was a surprising amount of still edible huckleberries along the trail, so Bruce and Kelly took advantage of the availability of a local treat. Quick break at Blacktail Lake, then we headed back to the main loop.

The climb up to Moose Mtn was steeper than I remembered. Great views along the climb, and the ridge along the summit is one of my favorite parts of the loop. Once past the summit, we dropped down to a saddle, then descended to Moose Lake. Had a snack break at the lake. Chilly breeze.

Heading west from Moose Lake, we decided to take the side trip up to Lake Estelle. Easy hike up to the lake. Good views and rock features. I think Estelle is the prettiest of the three lakes. Took another break at the lake. Easy hike back to the loop, then a quick finish back to the trailhead. 55 degrees at the finish.

Not much in the way of wildlife today. No other hikers. Saw some campers along the road. Saw a crew grading the road. The final couple of miles to the trailhead is a little rough, requiring medium clearance. The other seventeen miles of forest road is in great shape. Great day and hike. Awesome views. And perfect weather. There is so much to do in the Cabinet Mtns, and this hike is a good sampler.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Memorial

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Blacktail Lake 76-100% full 76-100% full

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Lake Estelle 76-100% full 76-100% full

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Moose Lake 76-100% full 76-100% full
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
  1 archive
Sep 22 2025
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 Guides 42
 Routes 1,674
 Photos 15,230
 Triplogs 2,802

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Moose Lake and Mountain Trail LoopNorthern, ID
Northern, ID
Hiking avatar Sep 22 2025
The_EagleTriplogs 2,802
Hiking12.68 Miles 2,777 AEG
Hiking12.68 Miles   6 Hrs   3 Mns   2.43 mph
2,777 ft AEG      50 Mns Break12 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
The heavy fog on the way in blocked some of the distant views, but when it lifted, it created some eerie and dramatic scenery.

The loop we chose is remote, but Idaho does an excellent job with trail construction and maintenance. Heavy-duty boardwalks (made from 6x12s) spanned swampy areas, and the pit toilets were impressively clean.

With the temperature starting at 42 degrees and moist air throughout the day, the hike stayed comfortable.

Blacktail Lake Trail #24
Our counterclockwise loop first took us on a 3.3-mile side trip through tall pines to Blacktail Lake. This was the first of many lakes we would see during the week. Sweet.

Moose Mountain Trail #213
This section begins the steady 800-foot climb to the top of Moose Mountain (6,543 feet). Along the way, we sampled ripe huckleberries. Linda kept telling us, “The top is just above our heads.” Five false summits later, we finally made it. The panoramic views were worth it, including a great look at Moose Mountain Lake below—our next destination.

Moose Mountain Views: [ youtube video ]

The 1,100-foot descent to the lake was steep and loose in places, which made us glad to be hiking the loop counterclockwise.

Moose Lake Trail #237
Moose Lake is another beauty—clear, quiet, and perfect for a weekend backpack from the trailhead. There are quite a few established campsites scattered around.

Moose Mountain Lake Views: [ youtube video ]

Lake Estelle Trail #36
As an optional addition, we made the 3-mile round-trip detour to Lake Estelle. This turned out to be a highlight of the day. The side trail offered sweeping canyon views, early hints of fall color, and ended at a small, scenic lake. While resting on the shore, we spotted several of Idaho’s state fish—the Cutthroat Trout—swimming past.

Lake Estelle Views: [ youtube video ]

Hike
Peaks: 1
Lakes: 3
Moose: 0

Trip Summary
Peaks: 2
Lakes: 3
Moose: 0
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Cutthroat Trout
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Blacktail Lake 76-100% full 76-100% full

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Lake Estelle 76-100% full 76-100% full

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Moose Lake 76-100% full 76-100% full
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
  3 archives
Sep 22 2025
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 Guides 10
 Routes 683
 Photos 7,454
 Triplogs 4,706

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Moose Lake and Mountain Trail LoopNorthern, ID
Northern, ID
Hiking avatar Sep 22 2025
trekkin_geckoTriplogs 4,706
Hiking12.32 Miles 2,900 AEG
Hiking12.32 Miles   6 Hrs   4 Mns   2.38 mph
2,900 ft AEG      53 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
today's hike was moose lake and moose mountain with side trips to blacktail and estelle lakes
quite a bit of fog on the drive to the trailhead
set out on the loop trail around 0830 with temps in the 40s and moist trail conditions
counterclockwise on the loop, taking the spur to blacktail lake
good trail, slightly uphill, a few boardwalk sections
we stopped at the lake for a few minutes, then returned to the main loop
we made the ascent to moose mountain along a scenic ridgeline
took in the views at the summit, including of our next stop at moose lake
dropped to the lake and had a snack break
back on the main loop, we opted for the two miles to lake estelle
different terrain along the side of a hill and drier, more open forest
arrived at the lake, the prettiest of the three complete with a few trout
back to the main loop and then to the trailhead
saw no one all day
no moose either :(
there were huckleberries :)
good hike, nice variety, great choice for the day
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Blacktail Lake  Lake Estelle
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hazhole
 
Jul 01 2023
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 Guides 112
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45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Lake Estelle Trail #36 - ID Panhandle NFNorthern, ID
Northern, ID
Hiking avatar Jul 01 2023
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,644
Hiking6.06 Miles 1,082 AEG
Hiking6.06 Miles   3 Hrs   16 Mns   2.05 mph
1,082 ft AEG      19 Mns Break
 
1st trip
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realm09
watermelonW
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I’ve hiked past the turnoff for Lake Estelle a couple of times, but never had the chance to check it out. Got started just before 1030, and headed up the Moose Lake Trail. Just before we hit a mile, we turned north onto Lake Estelle Trail. Easy hiking through the trees, lots of flowers. Views got better after another mile, and I liked the final mile to the lake. There were a few people camping nearby, but not too busy. Sat by the lake for a few minutes before retracing our steps back down. Saw more hikers on our way out. Nice little hike, and would be good to combine with Moose Mtn for a longer hike.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Rose meadowsweet
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Lake Estelle 76-100% full 76-100% full
Lake was full.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Sep 16 2022
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 Guides 112
 Routes 2,293
 Photos 9,227
 Triplogs 2,644

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Moose Lake and Mountain Trail LoopNorthern, ID
Northern, ID
Hiking avatar Sep 16 2022
LindaAnnTriplogs 2,644
Hiking8.27 Miles 1,882 AEG
Hiking8.27 Miles   4 Hrs   18 Mns   2.00 mph
1,882 ft AEG      10 Mns Break
 
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Opted for an easy hike for the final day in Idaho. Got started a little before 0730. Turned onto Blacktail Lake trail and headed south. Trail had been cleared all the way to the junction w/Moose Mountain #213. After the junction, Blacktail was the expected overgrown vegetation. Combined with the rain and fog, soaked from the hips down within minutes. Tons of huckleberries along this half mile section. They were overripe, so I didn’t pick any, but this area will be awesome next summer if I can remember. Only stopped at the lake for a moment, then pushed back thru the vegetation to the junction and up Moose Mountain trail.

Not as much vegetation on that trail. Some, but not terrible. It is a short, steep hike up to the summit though, especially on tired legs. Foggy at the summit, so just a quick break, then down the other side of the mountain and towards Moose Lake. The last time I was here, this section was covered in snow, so I got to see the actual trail for the first time. My old track was reasonably close to the true trail though.

Saw three hunters at the lake, they were getting excited about a black bear up high across the lake, so we quietly walked through to not mess up their hunt. After the lake, it’s an easy walk back to the trailhead on Moose Lake trail. Thought about a side trip to Lake Estelle, but another 4 miles and 600’ of climbing through that vegetation wasn’t appealing today. Maybe next time. And, the next time I do this loop, I’m going to hike it clockwise instead, I think that might be better than the two times I’ve now hiked it counter-clockwise.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Moose Lake 76-100% full 76-100% full
Lake is full
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
average hiking speed 2.24 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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