Mickinnick Trail

We discovered a strenuous but fun way to see the neighbors yesterday. Word had spread that the Mickinnick Trail on Greenhorn Mountain is walkable and about halfway complete. So, about 3 p.m. we drove up the road to the parking lot. It's not usable yet, but at least folks know where to start.

I must inject a word or two about Greenhorn. This mountain northwest of Sandpoint has stood watch over me and my family for most of my life. My mother named her Western greeting cards collection in its honor; I own Greenhorn Mountain Press (a name-only concern). My brothers frequently hiked the mountainside as kids.

One brother even went up there one night when the folks were talking about selling his beloved Appaloosa horse. He was devastated, so he just headed up the mountain to think about it. When he didn't come back until long after dark, my parents began to worry. Finally, when he arrived and told them how upset he was, the horse stayed.

The mountain means a lot to all of us. So, we were thrilled to learn that a generous woman named Nickie Pleass has set aside 300 acres of her land on the south end of the mountain for a hiking trail. Some coordination ensued.

Between the city and the Forest Service, also landowners on the mountain, the Mickinnick Trail concept was born. The name plays on Nickie, her late husband Mick and the kinnikinick evergreen shrub, which grows abundantly in this area.

Bill and I hiked the route about 15 months ago when only pink flagging gave us a clue of where the trail was headed. We did make it to the top of Greenhorn (long one of my dreams) but not without a good story of struggles and stickers as we descended in darkness.

Yesterday's hike was considerably easier than that first nearly disastrous experience. We also ran into several neighbors who are beating the crowds sure to come in the summer to grab some breath-taking views a fast-growing Sandpoint and surrounding jewel, Lake Pend Oreille.

We all commented that this would probably be the only time in our lifetimes that we could actually take that trail in January.

It was a steep way to see the neighbors and the lake but well worth the experience in all cases.