Today, rain and snow continue to shape the land known as the Kaniksu National Forest. The abundance of rain and snow allow the Forest to offer a variety of recreation opportunities in its setting of rugged mountains, gentle hillsides, and long, lush valleys. The glaciers carved the many lakes found in the forest. Most of the beautiful but fragile alpine lakes, such as Roman Nose, Spruce and Perkins, are accessed only by hiking. The lure of the lakes' pristine beauty may attract the hiker but interesting things happen along the way.
Wildlife abounds in the forest.
White tail deer stare with curiosity and black bears lope from sight as the hiker passes. If the hiker is very lucky an endangered Woodland Caribou might be spotted. Eagles and osprey soar above and chickadees and finches dart between the branches below. The butterscotch scent of Ponderosa pine mingles with the sweet Cedar or sharp twang of White pine. The amazing thing is that no matter how many times the hiker walks a trail, the Kaniksu National Forest provides a variation on the original experience that is equally memorable.