Over the Hill: Canfield is immovable, but ever-changing

Many of us, especially those who live or work in Coeur d’Alene proper, see Canfield Mountain just about every day. It’s an immovable part of our skyline, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t changing.

As I made a second, more successful hike up Canfield this past weekend — the first attempt from a while ago being cut short by what I believed to be animal noises — there were enough seasonal changes to make the well-traveled trails an entirely new experience.

The most notable change to the landscape was the slash piles dotting the terrain. I later learned that burn projects are nothing new on Canfield. In years past, prescribed burns have taken place on the mountain around this time of year as part of hazardous fuel reduction efforts.

Despite much of the mountain being covered in evergreen species, the understory is delightfully decorated with fall colors right now. But if you’re looking for fall colors, the best color palettes will be found looking outward, rather than directly around you.

Canfield offers incredible panoramic views of the entire region looking westward, from Lake Coeur d'Alene and the Spokane River all the way to the Rathdrum Prairie and Rathdrum Mountain on the northwestern horizon. This time of year, and probably not for much longer, I’d argue that you’ll have better views of the fall foliage in Coeur d’Alene on Canfield than anywhere else in town.

As someone who grew up in a region that didn’t undergo significant seasonal changes, watching the natural world around me alter itself with the changing weather is nothing short of awe-inspiring. 

Just as we change our routines and styles to brace for winter, the natural world does, too — a reminder of just how connected everything is.

Hailey Hill is a reporter for The Press. She can be reached at hhill@cdapress.com.