BOU AVENUE
West Canfield Butte
On 23 December 2025, Zosia Zgolak and I climbed West Canfield Butte on the eastern boundary of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.  Visible from most parts of the city, the butte is a popular recreational area for local runners, dog walkers, and mountain/dirt bikers.  There are several different access points for the butte (some are closed to public access) but maybe the best one for hikers is the trailhead (47.71625, -116.75318) at East Mountain Vista Drive (please heed signs here that regulate parking on the residential street).

Starting right at the trailhead, Zosia and I immediately began climbing steadily up the southwest ridge of West Canfield Butte.  There is seemingly a maze of trails here going every which way, but the correct route is signed and fairly obvious.  The lower section of the route starts within the Canfield Mountain Natural Area while the upper section is part of a larger trail network within Idaho Panhandle National Forests (USDA Forest Service).  I am not absolutely certain, but I believe that the middle section goes through private property via an easement.  In any case, we obeyed all signage as we followed a few switchbacks on the lower parts of the ridge before settling into a steep but uncomplicated grind for the remainder of the ascent.  There is a benchmark at a scenic opening just before the false summit which is cluttered with telecommunications infrastructure.  The true high point is located on an open but viewless knoll a few hundred metres further to the east.

After tagging the true high point, Zosia and I returned to the false summit where we chatted at length with a mountain biker who came up an alternate way via a service road.  The biker then departed to ride back along the road while we retraced our steps down the southwest ridge.  The section below the false summit is probably the steepest part of the route, and I felt like I was being pulled into a run while descending here.  Fortunately, the dry conditions helped with our traction, and upon returning to more moderately-angled terrain, we finished the rest of the descent without issues.
Looks snow-free! Here is a view of West Canfield Butte from Shadduck Lane Park in Coeur d'Alene.
Lotsa reading material at this trailhead kiosk! Zosia begins hiking at the trailhead along Mountain Vista Drive.
With a few minor zigzags lower down! The ascent route essentially goes all the way up the southwest ridge.
I think Zosia is sucking in the wrong cheeks! Zosia squeezes through a motorized vehicle barrier at the Idaho Panhandle National Forests boundary.
That's where all the snow went! A break in the trees grants this view to the northwest of Mount Spokane (centre) which is in Washington state.
Watch out for speeding motor bikes! Being within the National Forest, the upper parts of West Canfield Butte have less restrictions on recreational use.
No more switchbacks! The trail is relentlessly steep near the top.
It's the most scenic spot but not the highest! Telecommunications infrastructure crowd the top of the false summit.
This is the road that bikers use to get up here. Zosia continues along a road past the false summit.  The true high point is up on the ridge to the left.
Disappointing views from here. Zosia stands on the true high point of West Canfield Butte (1269 metres).
Would be worth exploring in the future... Some intriguing peaks of the St Joe Mountains can be seen to the southeast as Zosia returns to the false summit.

Merry Christmas!

Sonny and Zosia don festive hats near the false summit with views of Coeur d'Alene and its namesake lake.

 

Hard to believe there's no snow here near the end of December! Zosia is treated to more views of the city as she descends the southwest ridge.
It's pretty much the Coeur d'Alene Grind; it might be more fun to do it on an e-bike via the road. Total Distance:  7.0 kilometres
Round-Trip Time:  3 hours 21 minutes
Cumulative Elevation Gain:  573 metres

GPX Data