Overview
The Indian Post Office Trail connects the Lochsa River corridor with one of the high ridges used by the Nez Perce people as a travel and communication route across the Clearwater Mountains. The site at the ridge is a historic cairn where Nimiipuu travelers left message sticks and markers for others following the same routes, a practical communication system in a landscape without permanent settlements at altitude.
The 7-mile round-trip with 2,200 feet of gain is a solid moderate-hard hike that delivers both historical significance and natural scenery. The ridge views into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness give a sense of the vast protected terrain to the south. The cultural context makes this trail more than a route from point to point: it is a connection to the landscape as experienced by the people who have known it longest.
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest takes its name from the Nimiipuu, and sites like the Indian Post Office represent the forest's dual identity as both natural landscape and cultural heritage. Visitors are asked to approach the site respectfully and to leave the rock features undisturbed.
The trail is less visited than the main Lochsa and Selway routes, providing good solitude even in peak summer season.
The Route
Miles 0 to 2.0: Forest Climb
The trail begins at approximately 3,500 feet and climbs south through Douglas fir and ponderosa pine forest. The gradient is steady and the footing generally good in the lower section. A seasonal creek at approximately mile 1 provides water early in the season; this is the last reliable source on the route.
The forest in this section is mature and relatively undisturbed, with large Douglas fir and some old-growth characteristics in the older stands. Deer and elk sign are common.
Miles 2.0 to 3.5: Ridge Approach
Above mile 2, the trail steepens and the forest opens progressively. The lower forest gives way to more open lodgepole and then to the subalpine zone below the ridge. The climb becomes more sustained, with the ridge visible ahead providing a clear goal.
The trail is less defined in the upper section. Cairns and trail cuts in the vegetation mark the route. A topo map and GPS are useful in this section to confirm the correct direction toward the Indian Post Office site.
Mile 3.5: The Indian Post Office
The historic cairn site is on the ridge at approximately 5,700 feet. The rocks should not be disturbed or rearranged. Interpretive materials may be present at the site; check with the Lochsa Ranger District for current interpretation resources.
The views from the ridge extend south into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and north across the Clearwater Mountains toward the Lochsa corridor.
When to Visit
June through September. The lower starting elevation means the trail is accessible from late May in most years. The upper approach may hold snow into early June.
What to Bring
Many hikers on this trail carry:
- 2-3 liters of water; the only source is the lower creek
- A water filter
- A topo map and GPS for the upper approach
- Wind layers for the exposed ridge
- Sun protection
Individual needs vary.
Practical Details
No permit required as of 2026. No trailhead facilities. Cell service absent. Dispersed camping in the forest. Dogs allowed on leash.
Leave No Trace principles are especially important at the Indian Post Office site. Do not disturb, add to, or remove any rocks from the historic cairn.
Learn more about the cultural context of this landscape: national forests like Nez Perce-Clearwater protect cultural heritage alongside natural resources.
Getting There
From Kooskia, drive east on Highway 12 approximately 15 miles. Turn south on the signed forest road and follow it approximately 6 miles to the Indian Post Office Trailhead. The forest road is dirt and benefits from moderate ground clearance. Allow approximately 45 minutes from Kooskia to the trailhead.