The Evan's Landing trail is a moderately difficult out-n-back, 4 mile round-trip trail through what can only be described as an enchanted forest! If you didn't grow up in the Pacific Northwest, you'll likely be awed and in a state of wonder within minutes of starting up this densely forested trailhead. That feeling is likely to compound the first time you round a bend and through an opening in the trees spot the breathtaking vista below. This moment alone make the drive and the challenge oh so worth it!
But let me back up just a couple steps. Our trip to Evan's Landing wasn't exactly well-planned or researched. Ever since we first visited the Coeur d'Alene area over a year ago I've been itching to get my paddle-board out on that gorgeous glassy water. But never one to stay dry for long, I knew the prudent thing to do was wait until Winter subsided and I could enjoy a good splash! So the minute I saw the forecast rise up over 70° I was checking my gear, getting my needed invasive species sticker and blocking out the whole Saturday for lake-time. But when I got up that morning, and the winds were gusting, I knew we needed a new plan for weekend adventures. So over breakfast Robbie and I Googled "trails near me". Enter Evan's Landing, trail 64 in Farragut State Park. I mention all of this bring up that this outing was a complete spur of the moment whim. And we had no preconceived notions on what to expect when we got there.
The trail itself is incredibly narrow and after about a half mile in, becomes very steep on both sides. Which I mention because it made getting by other hikers a bit precarious. Especially with the dogs. We were fortunate that we didn't run into too many other people, only crossed paths with maybe 5-8 other hikers and everyone was courteous to each-other and carefully shimmied by. But if you have a dog who needs a little more space to pass, it might not be a great trail for you. There were also several fallen logs across the trail as well. Easy enough to climb over, though the dogs needed a boost on a few of them.
Within minutes of moving up the trail I felt completely swallowed up by the dense vegetation. Having spent most of my outdoor life in Southern California, Arizona and Northern Colorado, I'm much more accustomed to desert landscapes. Even the Colorado forests are mostly huge trees and prairie grass undergrowth. It's hard to explain but there's just more open space, even in the densely wooded areas. But the variety in vegetation was awe-inspiring to a natural science geek like me. So many different tree species, mushrooms, mosses, wildflowers, and wildlife. It felt like stepping into a fairy-late enchanted forest. We quickly joked about the likelihood of Bigfoot lurking behind every shadow. And were treated to a viewing of wild turkey and snow-shoe hares. Which sent the dogs into overload mode and the reason we never go off-leash.
The trail gets a bit steep fairly quickly, and narrow and rocky in places. Making it a better fit of seasoned hikers and athletic dogs. It's also the kind of trail which can be the most deceptive, down on the out and up on the back. In Arizona, where you're frequently hiking into a canyon, these kinds of trails abound. Generally I try to avoid them. Because it's so easy to under-estimate the difficulty of making it back up a steep trail to your car. The trek down feels effortless, so a less experience hiker can easily out-distance themselves without realizing the challenge that awaits as they try the make a return ascent. A little over a mile in though we were treated to a view that made the entire trip worth it!
We didn't quite make it to the beach. Having not really researched the hike, I didn't pack quite enough water and decided to turn around about half-way down. The thick canopy gave us a nice shady trail to hike, though the dense vegetation pretty much prevented all the but the slightest of breeze.
Pros: Beautiful trail, beautiful scenery. Even on a lovely Saturday there weren't many other people on the trail. It's only 4 miles so even if you go a little farther than you're ready for you should be able to make it back eventually. We did get to see some wildlife. Though I was grateful it was only small animals because there was no way to escape something dangerous.
Cons: The trail is narrow, and the sides are steep. Which makes passing other hikers difficult. If you have a dog who needs some space this is probably not a good trail for you. The down-out and up-back may cause inexperienced hikers to overdo and struggle to make the return. There were several logs across the trail, and the dogs needed help getting over, so if you're unable to lift your dog this could be a problem.
Overall takeaway:The Evans Landing trail is steep and challenging, but the experience is absolutely 100% worth it if you can handle it safely. And bring more water than you think you'll need!
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