China Mountain 6333' Celebrating 50 Years of Alvord Lake

k e k e e k r e k e C k Wilderness 101 the Wilderness Act r e re ll e C C e e Flagstaff Mountain u x King Mountain r a r n C B C y l in 6075' k In honor of the 50th anniversary of L 5787' o Ch oa o D Slee Lake K From the Wilderness Ranger the Wilderness Act, this map and the Lindy Peak information with it were put together Three Rivers Ranger Station 4323' Kootenai Mountain Preacher Mountain D Massive shelves of rocks lining a spectacular by a joint effort of Wilder- a 4956' Lake 5314' d C Q ness Association, Friends of Scotchman 16 r u gorge on the running along the e a e r k t Peaks Wilderness, US Forest Service, z southwestern flank of the mountains that now C r Troy Hoary marmots • Donald M.e Jones e and Clearwater Montana Properties, Duck Lake k carry its name inspired French-Canadian voyageurs Sheldon Mountain whose generosity paid for the downloadable map of k e Kootenai Falls k 4667' in the employ of David Thompson to call it the e e r e the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness found at C r !O C n l Cabinet Gorge. ie i r 2W a www.wildmontana.org/cabinethikes 'B 19 t O b The Cabinet Mountains are a relatively small range k ¤£2 o e B e 18 WILLIAMS CREEK/ r HISTORIC HWY 2 C GRAMBAUER !l BIG HORN in the remote northwest corner of Montana. Pacific n Throop Lake a Cliff Lake • Randy Beacham h 323 a maritime air drop up to 100 inches of moisture per ll HISTORIC HWY 2 Ca HISTORIC HWY 2 GRAMBAUER year on this glacially sculpted terrain. Richly forested 17 2E HISTORIC HWY 2 17 slopes rise steeply from valleys at 2,000 feet elevation to rocky, snow-covered peaks at nearly 9,000 feet. k 322 ree McConnell Mountain C Established by the Wilderness Act of 1964, the pe Clark’s nutcracker • Donald M. Jones 3648' 649 Pi 649A Cabinet Mountains Wilderness is a tiny, pristine jewel 35 miles long, varying in width from 8 miles to less Savage Lake Scenery Mountain 6876' FR 402 20 than ½ mile. In places, timber harvests have traced Schoolhouse Lake Samater Mountain 319 4033' the wilderness boundary, and two other locations Milnor Lake William Grambauer Mountain CEDAR CREEK along its edge are the focus of plans for future mining (!37 r 6793' e v operations. These efforts by humans to wrest a living, i 383 R 1 i As you use this map to enjoy and learn about the a ost Creek n and necessary raw materials, from the land lend an air L e t Grambauer Mountain o o CMW, stop and just be for part of your visit. And 7377' K of precious fragility to the Cabinets. The valleys below Fa ll s Forest Supervisor's Office please practice the Leave No Trace principles. k C NORMAN MOUNTAIN have often been embroiled in political turmoil over k e r Norman Mountain Ir e e e o re r L n C C e i C k 6170' k b r e ix e land use issues regarding the wild country. Meanwhile, ee k l 316 b Leave No Trace Principles k F e e y a Taylor Peak 383A r L C C21 r r 141 e the Cabinets endure, the high snows melt, and the 6296' k te e n e Copper Mountain re k 1. Plan Ahead and Prepare Grouse Mountain C m e r ar rushing cascades play their music for those who will 3394' a P Libby 4990' d 140 2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Ce PARMENTER CREEK 817 come to hear. PARMENTER FLAT 3. Dispose of Waste Properly Lower Cedar Lake 320 In the northern portion of the wilderness, long 4. Leave What You Find valleys shelter old-growth forests of giant cedar, 139 5. Minimze Campfire Impacts Twin Creek ¤£2 hemlock, and grand fir. Trails carpeted with moss and Grouse Lake k Upper Cedar Lake 6. Respect Wildlife e e per Cr C op 15 Flower Point tiny hemlock cones pass under cathedral-like 7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors TAYLOR PEAK 4296' 16 Lime Butte k canopies that shelter ferns, devil’s club, and Porcupine • Donald M. Jones e Learn more at www.lnt.org 2612' Dome Mountain Parmenter Mountain re 14 C queencup-bead lily. The ethereal call of the r 7560' 7345' e FLOWER CREEK w FRIENDS OF Pony Mountain Indian Head lo SCOTCHMAN PEAKS F varied thrush and the omnipresent sound of 5100' 7249' SOUTH FLOWER rushing water are constant companions in North Fork Keeler Creek X-C SKI this world of moisture and shade. Minor Lake 137 360N SNO827A ek SNO827C Working for WILDERNESS re pine C Weir Peak The trails through these northern r C u reek 317 Keele c SNO827D r 7270' o 134A rainforests lead into higher elevations, and P SNO827 22 FR 618 135 spruce, white pine, and sub-alpine fir. Alder Prospect Hill and Rocky Mountain maple compete for 3886' Sugarloaf Mountain Shaughnessy Hill space in the chutes that winter avalanches 7568' Lake Osakis 4482' have torn through the big timber. The C a m Keeler Mountain p H Pr ct Creek glorious palette of an alpine meadow, or ospe C s S 4943' e C re Treasure Mountain e h Madg re e Sky Lakes C a e k re u k 7694' e g bathed in morning sunlight, is a sight to k hn es sy gladden a hiker’s eyes. The brilliant gold C re ek of glacier lilies, the deep pink of alpine C anite reek Gr laurel, and the lavender-blue of mountain 2 Skiing to Rock penstemon provide vivid contrast to the Pheasant Point Creek Meadows • Jim MellenMC MILLAN SHOOTING RANGE 3951' subdued greens of the valley below. Gordon Mountain FR 618 The Cabinet Doonan Peak 7429' 136 Trails in the southern section of the wilderness 6823' GRANITE CREEK T h Klatawa Lake climb quickly through lodge-pole pine and bear grass ic k e Sta t C nle into the high country. The more open aspects of this ree y (!56 Creek k Cree Dry Cre Snow ountains k ek M BEAR CREEK SNO816 part of the Cabinets offer expansive views and greater

Cr o X-C SKI w opportunities to see wildlife such as moose, bear, deer, k SNO816B ell ee k C reek Gus Brink Mountain r Mount Snowy ree CROWELL CREEK C k and . Generally speaking, routes are shorter here, Fairwa C ct e e y 7041' a 7618' No Cr t ilderness n and some of the southern lake basins are the earliest to W o 326 Crowell Mountain C 6994' open in the spring. Houser Peak 6438' Over 50 lakes lie nestled in high valleys and glacial DORR SKEELS Deep Creek Spar Lake FR 278 cirques along the length of the Wilderness. For some Double Lake Little Hoodoo Mountain 4176' Double N Lakehikers, these lakes offer destinations for camping and Stanley Mountain Wishbone Lake 4275' fishing, while others see them as sparkling jewels along Vimy Lake the way to high divide trails or mountain summits. FR 867 Big Loaf Mountain Each of these lakes has its own unique characteristics Payn Granite Lake 7585' e Creek and beauty, and they all offer great opportunities ek re for photography or just quiet contemplation. These C Bockman Peak r e 8174' n Smear k t hidden basins are some of Montana’s last best places, l Cre e e er A Peak iv k G R e Bull Lake l 8634' e ul r where hikers can enjoy real solitude. rk B C Fo y Up th r Mount Vernon ha r r m C o Snowshoe Lake e reek N 3 h 5580' C 132 132A FR 4786 ig Charlie Clough — Wilderness Ranger, ek B Scotty Peak Cre gle Creek LEIGH LAKE Lei gh og 6779' Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, 1985 to 2008 N Big Hoodoo Mountain 5210' BAD MEDICINE 8738' Leigh Lake 972

ek shoe Cre Snow A Naturalist’s View A guide to hiking Ibe BIG CHERRY CREEK 15 x C 471 978 re ek MCKAY MOUNTAIN and recreation in the Little Ibex Peak 125 k SNOWSHOE PIPELINE The and the Cabinet R ree 7146' oss C McKay Mountain Mountain Wilderness are as unique in biological as- Cabinet Mountains Snowshoe Lakes 5766' Little Ibex Lake pects as they are in history and geologi- FR 410 Wilderness of Lincoln NORTH FORK BULL RIVER Ibex Peak 7676' cal features. From the ancient cedars of 131 Ross Creek and glacial till-dyed turquoise and Sanders Counties, So u t Lentz Peak 13 h waters of the Kootenai River — rich in Montana F o 7298' rk McDonald Mountain B Tahoka Lake legends of native people’s vision quests u 6306' ll R ay Cr iv and explorations of David Thompson — A Peak above Granite Lake • Randy Beacham rr e e ek e ek r e B Cr ry to the higher peaks of the mountains, Alaska Peak er h C 7006' CABLE CREEK tle Lit diversity is the key term. Big Cherry Lake Set on a foundation of Pre-cambrian ek Cre Dad Peak ar The Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Sawtooth Mountain D Be Belt Supergroup stone and carved by ry Poplar Point 6790' 6763' C r e 5790' Pleistocene glaciation, the peaks rise (CMW) was designated Wilderness with the signing of e k 966 Leigh Lake • StevenLIBBY Gnam DIVIDE TH 716 the Wilderness Act in 1964. The CMW comprises 94,272 987 in sharp contrast with lower elevation

821 Midas Creek valleys. Some parts of the Cabinets accumulate more acres in Lincoln and Sanders Counties,Montana. It is ek Cre DRY CREEK BERRAY MOUNTAIN WEST e snow than anyplace else in Montana! This helps the administered by the US Forest Service and lies within DAD PEAK bl Ca S Kootenai National Forest, headquartered in Libby. na area provide habitat for selectively adapted snow-

1028 k e 12 C r Cable Mountain 129 POORMAN CREEK dependent creatures that add to the special flavor of The CMW lies between two great western rivers, ee Berray Mountain k 6860' 6177' eek the area. the Kootenai on the north and Clark Fork on the south. 1019 an Cr

Poorm den in multi-chambered portals through Snowshoe Peak, 8736 FR 410 FR 967 Troy

RAMSEY CREEK the snow and rock formations. Canadian lynx coopera- feet, is the highest !( 1020 Bald Eagle Peak tively hunt pica in tallus and scree slopes. Rocky Moun- between the Cascade !( 7655' Libby (!37 and Mission Ranges. (!56 !( FR 407 tain goats and thrive. Up high, falcons, Jennings Ea BilliardRoss Table Creek Cedars st F ST PAUL LAKE or US Highway 2 k B 820 hawks and eagles patrol the skies while Clark’s nut- 6622' ul k North Map Sandy Compton l R ee iv Cr e y on the north and r se GOLD PANNING AREA cracker helps both whitebark pine and grizzlies survive. m BERRAY MOUNTAIN FR 407 11 a CABINET 1016 R Boreal owls voice their falsetto calls in late winter. Montana 200 on the MORAN BASIN Shaw Mountain H MOUNTAINS o south are connected 6468' w Mid range zones are frequented by grizzly and a WILDERNESS rd C black bear, mule and whitetail deer, cougar, bobcat by Montana 56 on ¤£2 PILICK RIDGE BULL RIVER GUARD STATION 646 re HOWARD LAKE CG ek !( 1035 993 the west side of the 823 HOWARDand LAKE marten. LOOP TRAIL In lower 823 elevations, moose, fisher, mink Heron GREAT NORTHERN TH !( Isabella Lake LIBBY CREEK and beaver enjoy a living among waters teeming with CMW. Highway 56 Howard Lake Noxon 18.5 !( ° westslope cutthroat, rainbow and brook trout. And, provides spectacular 6167' Elephant Peak 117 Midas Point MILLERLIBBY CREEKDIVIDE TH TH 118 716 views of the 7938' 4590' with air just as clear as the water, astronomic views of MONTANA Saint Paul Lake Great Northern Mountain South Map from outside the stars, planets and northern lights are common. !200 6867' Standard Lake ( 119 TEETERS PEAK TH 300 Trout Creek ek The friendly folks of our unique area welcome you boundary, and access !( e Saint Paul Peak r C y to many trails running 7714' b to visit! Please be respectful of our wild environs, and !(Childs 1036 Copper Lake ib 116 N L into the Wilderness. r enjoy the peace it may bring to you, as it does to us. e !( iv

998 R Cliff Lake ll u B Chicago Peak B a West Rock Peak Twin Peaks sin F C o 7018' 7583' Brian Baxter, wildlife researcher, r r 7563' 14 e k e R STANDARD CREEK TH 116 997 k Resources BIG EDDY o c hunter and naturalist, Libby, Montana, k Ojibway Peak 301 C US Forest Service: Kootenai National Forest Supervisor’s r 7303' e 10 e Rock Lake k 815 Office, Libby • 406-293-6211 • www.fs.usda.gov/kootenai FR 2741 GLORIA MINE WAYUP MINE Cabinet Gorge Reservoir BLACKTAIL CREEK Local History: www.behindthesemountains.com MILL-OZETTE 935 Comprehensive Hiking Guide: Trails of the Wild

302 Cabinets; Dennis Nicholls and Jim Mellen •Keokee Lost Horse Mountain FR 2332 Wilderness education & advocacy: C k la ree 7508' LAKE CREEK Elk C r C BRAMLET CREEK FOURTH OF JULY TH 115 re k Government Mountain ck Montana Wilderness Assn.: www.wildmontana.org e F o k o R r 6105' ROCK LAKE 4 k Ozette Lake Friends of Scotchman Peaks: www.scotchmanpeaks.org (!200 9 FR 150 U of M Wilderness Institute: www.wilderness.net FR 150A 8 658 SILVER DOLLAR TH 114 7608' Downloadable geopdf: www.wildmontana.org/cabinethikes BULL RIVER Bramlet Lake LAKE CREEK TH 656 Chambers of Commerce: 115 Carney Peak Upper Bramlet Lake Libby: www.libbychamber.org 7173' Troy Chamber: www.troymtchamber.org Geiger Lakes Gateway • Steven Gnam Thompson Falls: www.thompsonfallschamber.com Designed and produced by Blue Creek Press • Heron, MT • www.bluecreekpress.com • Map components created by Bryan Swindell and DTM ConsultingWanless Lake • Bozeman, MT • www.dtmgis.com Engle Peak 7583' Buck Lake Chimney Rock ENGLE LAKE TH 932 Engle Lake 4300' Upper Lake Goat Peak 6889' ¤£2

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er 300 iv Teeters Peak R # ll 5230' u B Chicago Peak # B as West Cliff Lake Twin Peaks in F 7018' k C o e r r # 7563' e e k # C r R e R er av k o Rock Peak Hu nt en c C k 301 STANDARD CREEK re C 7583' # #Ü ek r eek Wapiti Mountain e Ojibway Peak r Cr # e 10 he k Rock Lake 7303' is 4728' 815 t F FR 2741 es TH997-001 W FR 231

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FR 150 G 658 6S e inn FR 2332 d is Lost Horse Mountain l C a r r Camp in the Cabinets • Andrew Klaus FOURTH OF JULY k ve e 7508' iA Peak from Vimy Ridge e• Andrew Klaus BRAMLET CREEK C # #Ü Ü er R k # OSCAR MILLER r Fish Government Mountain #;#\ e y LAKE CREEK e lle (!56 6105' ROCK LAKE #; k a # #Ü 4 t V an Upper Bramlet Lake k as e le e P r Flat Top Mountain Bramlet Lake C

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r Creek McGinnis 200 ek e 298 n C Cre 4583' Orr e C r r k r e e i Wanless Lake C k e e FR 2285 l FR 148 e d 114 i P o e k l e r r r a c r o u C r pi ve C S n Ri ds Cabinet Gorge Reservoir Engle Lake T e her s n ea Engle Peak C tte Fi Sm # re Bu Ü JUMBO PEAK a k e r # t e i 7583' e k lv i r 932A e S r a 932 Buck Lake C R # ENGLE LAKE n Chimney Rock #Ü o PORCUPINE CREEK #Ü Upper Lake ls T O 4300' Goat Peak 110 r

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e 466 e r 178 TRAPPER CK #Ü #Ü Ü C # e Be Bear Aware it n Pilg WALOVEN/HIMES WEST lo rim Cree k ENGLE Ü o # BEAR PAW & E C The Cabinet Mountains Wilderness is home to black 923 ast WANLESS LAKE #Ü 293A Fis FR 1022 he IRON MEADOWS #Ü r and grizzly bears. Wilderness visitors should be able 489 #Ü C re k ek e 912 Baree Lake to identify which is which. To avoid conflict with these re C BEAR LAKES y # Ü B # WALOVEN/HIMES EAST Ü a # 921 a 5 beautiful creatures, it’s important to learn about hik- K r c e e M C ing and camping in bear habitat. For the protection of reek humans as well as bears, there is a food storage order #Ü BAREE CK Huckleberry Mountain #Ü CABINET DIVIDE SOUTH 295 in force on many National Forests, including # CABINET DIVIDE EAST Allen Peak 5550' #Ü # Green Mountain SILVER BUTTE CK #6740' Rocky Mountain Elk the Kootenai. Visit http://bit.ly/BearSafeFood 5456' #Ü 293 536 Donald M. Jones G 296 Clark Fork to learn more. Bear educational information o 6 a t C is available at most ranger stations, as well as r e Black Bear e Donald M. Jones online at many sites. Google “Bear Aware” or k Miller Lake k visit www.bearaware.bc.ca e e St Cr eve es ns C eek 881 Him r 360E Blacktail Peak 7 6103' # # SYLVAN LAKE #; Stevens Peak Tuscor Hill

5629' Sw Si # 4528' Grizzly Beara SWAMP CK m #Ü m # p Sylvan Lake Gem Peak Donald M. Jones C s re Canyon Peak C e r 6092' k 6326' e G e alena Creek # k k e e r C

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FR 154 Mountain BlueB Peak Bird Randy Beacham6052' # GROUSE CK SOUTH # Grouse Mountain #Ü 5968' egend 855 L 842 Ca t # a rac Grouse Lake t Creek847 k ee r 848 Rush Lake r C Trout Creek Bear Lake Minton Peak co Hiking in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness:Tus A Sampler Eightyseven Mile Peak 5351' 845 Seven Point Mountain # 5617' # 200 # # Water Hill 6660' The CMW has 34 National Forest System trails comprising 143 milesM of designated routes, and no signs saying WATER HILL #Ü int 6111' Benson Peak on # Marmot Lakes C 6693' “stay on the trail.” Below is a sampling of 13 hikes picked to whet any appetite.r These hikes are keyed to numbers # eek ek re on both sides of the map and are arranged in geographic order clockwise around the Wilderness starting with Ce- C Slide Rock Mountain r le k il e 6455' M dar Lakes at the north end. E is for Easy (bring the toddler). M for Moderate (take the ten-year-old). S fore Strenu- # Cr out k Tr e Sylvan Lake ous ( and also for Serious). ES for Extra-Strenuous (check with your physician). The ratings are lighthearted, but re R C ob in Run ut ro Cataract Peak they are also to be taken seriously. Always error on the side of caution. The Wilderness is wild, after all. T le Kootenai Falls • Randy Beacham 6205' tt # Li Cedar Lakes Trail # 141: Rock Lake Trail # 935: The ek 1 C 8 Cre M• out reek M• rol Tr nt Creek Upper Cedar Lake is one of the rk trail follows an old mining road o Ch illy o C t F es most spectacular lakes in the CMW. W k past Rock Creek Meadows to un e il R re The trail is a long straight steadyev 5 C Heidelberg Falls, where some D y ek A Western Legacy: Hunting, Gathering and Fishing r re (!200 u C b r miles. From there, Dome Mountain, e interesting remains of a rusting l ’s a G CMW neighboring t r e t an B A ite Sky Lakes, and Minor Lake are pelton wheel andC other mining re e within reach, providing a pure equipment make ak great spot for a For centuries, humans B communities ea Jew Creek v wilderness experience. lunch break. The wilderness e have been traveling r Childs # C k k e Stock friendly # boundary is at the lake, which is r e e The nearest five communities are Troy and Libby in e Cr through, resting in and e e Vermilion Peak r p Windfall Peak k C e t Lost Peak overshadowed by the impressive e vs Creek 6700' os 5207' Lincoln County and Heron, Noxon and Trout Creek in D gleaning sustenanceIr L Granite Creek Trail5942' # 136: Image Lake 2 M• # rock slab of Ojibway Peak. Sanders County, all within a few air miles of the CMW from wild places. The Being one of the lowest in the # Graves Peak CMW, the trail to Granite Lake is oneNinetythree Mile Lake Libby Lakes: The highest boundary. Other population centers nearby are Clark Wilderness7050' Act of 1964 9 ES• # of the first to be snow-free. Six miles lakes in the CMW are located Fork, Hope, Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint, Idaho; was written in part to one-way, the elevation gain is north of Rock Lake. A manway# on the Thompson Falls, Kalispell and Missoula, Montana. The protect and enhance #Bloom Peak Other Attractions Around the Wilderness these human-powered moderate. A and Snowshoe Peaks5863' west side ofJew Rock Peak Lake leads to St Paul nearest international airports are at Kalispell, Missoula Mount Headley tower above the lake, and Blackwell Wet hiking near Dad Peak • Jim Mellen Pass, with the5860' lakes lying east of the and Spokane, . Cougarendeavors Peak in wild and # Proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness: This 7429' Glacier resides in a cirque to the pass. This arduous but rewarding trip 14 6694'roadless areas. The 88,000 acre roadless area west of Bull River features south. Travel beyond the lake is very challenging. can be accomplished on a long day hike or better yet, a 3-day Each of the small communities surrounding the CMW is open to hunting, some of the wildest country in . Fishing at Snowshoe Lake backpacking trip. For the super adventurous, an extreme Wilderness has it’s unique attractions and events. fishing, berry picking and Leigh Lake Trail # 132: This lake is a total gem Jim Mellen 3 E• scramble up Elephant Peak is possible from Libby Lakes. January: Annual Polar Bear Plunge, Libby 600-year old cedars in a rain-for- mushroom gathering and a gateway to some of the most exciting terrain 15 Ross Creek Cedars: during the appropriate seasons. Trophy elk, west slope in the CMW. The trail is short and steep, especially near Cliff Lake: Although not an official trail, this March: Libby Irish Fair est setting. Wheelchair accessible. 10 E• May: Heron Players annual spring play cutthroat trout, mountain goats, moose, deer and Don Clark (right rear) with three the lake where it is cliffy. leads to Cliff Lake and Chicago and St Paul Peaks. It 16 Roosevelt Park: Troy’s waterfront city park features crosses a fragile mountain meadow, so travel on • STOKR Bike Race to benefit Habitat For Humanity in game birds are taken regularly from the CMW, as are former students and a trophy bull ball fields, a music stage, picnic grounds and a boat ramp. 4 E•Bramlet Lake Trail # 658: This trail follows an established routes. Possibly the easiest trail in the CMW, Libby gallons of huckleberries and pounds of morels and old mining road almost to the lake. The lower lake is the drive is way more difficult than the hike. Take a high- • Montana stream fishing season opens third week- Historic US 2 Hiking Trail: Two sections of a recycled chantrells. Many of the high mountain lakes have been A Wilderness Hunting a peaceful fishing destination. 17 clearance vehicle you are not fond of. end of May. highway lead to big views of the Kootenai River. Entries stocked with cutthroat trout and the rivers adjoining the “Disclaimer.” Barree Lake - Bear Lake Loop (Trails # 489, June: Libby Logger Days at MPs 21.6, 25.7 and 27.3 on US 2; MP 33 on MT Hwy 56. wilderness are known to produce sport fish from bass to 5 M• 11 M•St Paul Lake Trail # 646: The trail to St Paul walleyes to rainbow trout and German browns. “It might sound like the hunting is # 3605, # 63 and # 178): This nine mile loop trip has it Lake follows a cold-air- drainage with a heavy July: Troy Fourth of July Celebration and parades in 18 Kootenai Falls: The Kootenai River is at its most spec- As important as these opportunities are, it is also spectacular in the wilderness. Actually, all. From 1910 fire orignated lodgepole pine to old growth canopy, making it a perfect hike for hot summer days. Heron, Noxon, Clark Fork, Trout Creek and tacular between Libby and Troy on US 2. Wheelchair critical that we have places “to hear ourselves think,” the elk hunting is very difficult because forests and high open ridgeline vistas. Add in the opportunity While not as impressive as other lakes in the Cabinets, Thompson Falls; away from the growing clamor of the planet. “In to fish for westslope cutthroat trout at two alpine lakes. To the waterfalls and cliff bands above the lake are stunning. • Kootenai River Rodeo, Libby accessible view; hiking trail, swinging bridge. of the steep terrain and the distances enjoy it all, camp overnight along the Cabinet Divide and wildness is the preservation of the world,” wrote Henry you have to hike to get to the game. This • Two Rivers Rendezvous, valley 19 Big Horn Hiking Trail: A five-mile hiking and biking trail experience a dazzling sunset. Stock friendly. 12 S•Dad Peak Trail # 987: Hike to the ruins of an old August: Blues festivals in Noxon and Libby Thoreau. It is just as true today as when he penned that holds doubly true for packing out animals fire lookout on a trail that winds from Snake Creek along the north edge of the Kootenai River west of Libby nearly 200 years ago. over long distances. Cabinet Divide East Trail # 360E: This 14 mile • Trout Creek Huckleberry Festival 6 S• Pass through beargrass and pick luscious huckleberries in through land deeded to Montana as bighorn sheep habitat. “Because it’s more physical than loop trip is well suited for stock users. After • Ignite the Nights Car Show, Libby late summer. Make an interesting open loop by most want to endure, the area is not ascending the powerline road to the Cabinet Divide, 6 September: Libby Nordic Fest 20 Libby and Lake Koocanusa: A lake shared with combining this with the Devils Club trail. crowded. Usually you have it pretty miles of high open ridgeline vistas await the visitor. Plan • David Thompson Days in Thompson Falls Canada; fishing, boating, camping and summer water fun. much to yourself. When you draw a your trip for clear weather and you will surely run out of Snowshoe and A Peaks: The two highest and September thru November: Big game hunting seasons 13 ES• 21 J. Neils Park and Trail: A 1.5 mile trail system and city moose, goat or sheep permit for the film. At Silver Butte Pass, turn north to your start point. most spectacular peaks in the region can be reached December: Annual Festival of Lights in Libby park near the Kootenai River in Libby. Wilderness you have to hunt there. via a manway at the end of the North Fork trail. It may be December thru March: Alpine Skiing at Turner Mountain 7 Swamp Creek Trail # 912: At nine miles one easier to reach the peaks from Leigh Lake, but the What is spectacular are the cliffs, lakes, S• • Snowmobiling opportunities abound in the Kootenai 22 Flower Creek Nordic Trails: Over 8 and a half miles way to Wanless Lake, this is best accomplished in a manway leads to Snowshoe Lake, an amazing gem. From glaciers, and wildness of the area. It sets and Panhandle National Forests. of grooomed crosscountry ski trails just south of Libby. multi-day trip. Well worth the price of admission, the the Lake, both Snowshoe and A Peaks can be accessed. one apart from the regular hunters, who whole multi-lake basin is a wonderland. Engle Peak or The view of Granite Lake from A Peak is particularly • Nordic Skiing at Flower Creek Nordic trails and along Vermillion Falls: Tumbling down a steep, narrow spend a lot of time driving.” Lost Buck Pass are possible for the adventurous. 23 stunning with a nearly 4,000 foot vertical drop! the Bighorn Trail near Libby. canyon, the falls makes rainbows in sunlight filtered Don Clark, retired teacher and hunter, through big trees on both banks. A great place on a hot day. Huckleberry heaven • Sandy Compton Libby, Montana

The view looking north from Engle Peak • Jim Mellen