A
very popular recreation area on the east side of Priest Lake is
the Lion Creek natural water slides, commonly referred to as "Slippery
Rocks". This is an area where Lion Creek flows over massive
granite slabs to form various water-rock configurations such as
slides, pools, falls etc. The gigantic flat rocks adjacent to the
creek form great areas to picnic, "catch some rays" or
simply enjoy the wonderful sights and sounds of nature. The spring
runoff waters are normally too high and too forceful to allow any
recreation in the creek itself. However, as the weather warms and
the creek water subsides, many people enjoy the natural rock slides
and deep emerald pools located throughout the area. The area also
has numerous unmarked hiking trails and is a good huckleberry area.
One
note of caution - Slippery Rocks is a very appropriate name for this area
as the surface of the rocks beneath any of the creek water is extremely
slippery. Be very, very careful when wading in the creek on the large rocks.
Your footing will not be stable and a sudden fall on a granite slab can
cause serious injury. Nevertheless, exercise prudent caution and Slippery
Rocks can be a most enjoyable features in the Priest Lake Basin.
To reach Slippery Rocks, travel north from Coolin on the Cavanaugh Bay/East
Lakeshore Road until you cross the Lion Creek Bridge, immediately south
of the Lionhead State Park campground entrance. After you cross the bridge,
turn right onto State Forest Road #42. Follow the well-used part of the
road to where the culverts have been removed. Park in this area and hike
up the same road for about two miles to an old parking area. From this
point, cross a small stream (Kent Creek) and follow the south side of that
stream approximately 200 yards to the water slides area on Lion Creek.
Lion Creek and Kent Creek intersect at a 'Y' just above the old parking
area.
The
two-mile hike will get you to the best area of Slippery Rocks. However,
you may observe other areas along the hiking route where Lion Creek flows
over granite slabs. Any of these sites are also good recreation areas if
you elect not to hike the entire two miles.
A
very popular recreation area on the east side of Priest Lake is
the Lion Creek natural water slides, commonly referred to as "Slippery
Rocks". This is an area where Lion Creek flows over massive
granite slabs to form various water-rock configurations such as
slides, pools, falls etc. The gigantic flat rocks adjacent to the
creek form great areas to picnic, "catch some rays" or
simply enjoy the wonderful sights and sounds of nature. The spring
runoff waters are normally too high and too forceful to allow any
recreation in the creek itself. However, as the weather warms and
the creek water subsides, many people enjoy the natural rock slides
and deep emerald pools located throughout the area. The area also
has numerous unmarked hiking trails and is a good huckleberry area. 
One
note of caution - Slippery Rocks is a very appropriate name for this area
as the surface of the rocks beneath any of the creek water is extremely
slippery. Be very, very careful when wading in the creek on the large rocks.
Your footing will not be stable and a sudden fall on a granite slab can
cause serious injury. Nevertheless, exercise prudent caution and Slippery
Rocks can be a most enjoyable features in the Priest Lake Basin.
The
two-mile hike will get you to the best area of Slippery Rocks. However,
you may observe other areas along the hiking route where Lion Creek flows
over granite slabs. Any of these sites are also good recreation areas if
you elect not to hike the entire two miles.