Climbing C2

Winter 2013

Canfield Mountain is one of Coeur d'Alene's crown jewels.  This 24-acre open space has an elevation of 4099 feet and is well known for the summit's incredible panoramas of area lakes and mountains.  Our family calls Canfield "C2" - the name Tom gave it many years ago.

The Canfield  Mountain Trail System was designed for motorized trail bikes and bicycles, but the mountain gets heavy use by hikers and 4-wheel ATV's pretty much year round.  Trails are maintained every three years by the Forest Service.  Organized clubs and volunteers provide annual support as well.  The trails are numbered, but Tom has given his own names to several of the upward routes, including Canfield Direct, Erickson Direct, and Totten Direct.  I have come to know that Tom means it when he says direct.

Likely a park ranger in an earlier life, Tom probably knows C2 better than anyone in Kootenai County.  He has guided a number of friends and family members up the mountain over the years, but it's not uncommon for Tom to tackle the summit on his own.  He always comes home with a story - typically involving amazing wildlife sightings or the views I missed that day.

A special December activity is taking a route to a tree that hikers decorate at Christmas time.  I love this shared tradition!