Celebrating 50 Years of the Wilderness Act

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, this map and the information with it were put together by a joint effort of Montana Wilder-ness Association, Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, US Forest Service, and Clearwater Montana Properties, whose generosity paid for the downloadable map of the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness found at www.wildmontana.org/cabinethikes

A Naturalist’s View

The Kootenai National Forest and the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness are as unique in biological as-

pects as they are in history and geologi-cal features. From the ancient cedars of Ross Creek and glacial till-dyed turquoise waters of the Kootenai River — rich in legends of native people’s vision quests and explorations of David Thompson — to the higher peaks of the mountains, diversity is the key term.

Set on a foundation of Pre-cambrian Belt Supergroup stone and carved by Pleistocene glaciation, the peaks rise in sharp contrast with lower elevation

valleys. Some parts of the Cabinets accumulate more snow than anyplace else in Montana! This helps the area provide habitat for selectively adapted snow-dependent creatures that add to the special flavor of the area.

Wolverine den in multi-chambered portals through the snow and rock formations. Canadian lynx coopera-tively hunt pica in tallus and scree slopes. Rocky Moun-tain goats and bighorn sheep thrive. Up high, falcons, hawks and eagles patrol the skies while Clark’s nut-cracker helps both whitebark pine and grizzlies survive. Boreal owls voice their falsetto calls in late winter.

Mid range zones are frequented by grizzly and black bear, mule and whitetail deer, cougar, bobcat and marten. In lower elevations, moose, fisher, mink and beaver enjoy a living among waters teeming with westslope cutthroat, rainbow and brook trout. And, with air just as clear as the water, astronomic views of stars, planets and northern lights are common.

The friendly folks of our unique area welcome you to visit! Please be respectful of our wild environs, and enjoy the peace it may bring to you, as it does to us.

Brian Baxter, wildlife researcher, hunter and naturalist, Libby, Montana,

The Cabinet Mountains Wilderness(CMW) was designated Wilderness with the signing of the Wilderness Act in 1964. The CMW comprises 94,272 acres in Lincoln and Sanders Counties,Montana. It is administered by the US Forest Service and lies within Kootenai National Forest, headquartered in Libby.

The CMW lies between two great western rivers, the Kootenai on the north and Clark Fork on the south. Snowshoe Peak, 8736 feet, is the highest between the Cascade and Mission Ranges.

US Highway 2 on the north and Montana 200 on the south are connected by Montana 56 on the west side of the CMW. Highway 56 provides spectacular views of the from outside the boundary, and access to many trails running into the Wilderness.

The CabineT MounTains Wilderness

A Peak above Granite Lake • Randy Beacham

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X-C SKI

X-C SKI

Kootenai Falls!O

BIG HORN

HISTORIC HWY 2

GRAMBAUER !l

A Peak8634'

Dad Peak6790'

Ibex Peak7676'

Goat Peak6889'

Weir Peak7270'

Star Peak6167'

Rock Peak7583'

Lindy Peak4323'

Lime Butte2612'

Lentz Peak7298'

Engle Peak7583'

Twin Peaks7563'

Midas Point4590'

Indian Head7249'

Houser Peak6438'

Doonan Peak6823'

Carney Peak7173'

Alaska Peak7006'

Taylor Peak6296'

Mount Snowy7618'

Scotty Peak6779'

Flower Point4296'

Chimney Rock4300'

Chicago Peak7018'

Bockman Peak8174'

Mount Vernon5580'

Poplar Point5790'

Ojibway Peak7303'

King Mountain5787'

Elephant Peak7938'

Dome Mountain7560'

Snowshoe Peak8738'

Shaw Mountain6468'

Prospect Hill3886'

Pony Mountain5100'

McKay Mountain5766'

Cable Mountain6860'

Billiard Table6622'

China Mountain6333'

Pheasant Point3951'

Keeler Mountain4943'

Grouse Mountain4990'

Copper Mountain3394'

Berray Mountain6177'

Bald Eagle Peak7655'

Gordon Mountain7429'

Saint Paul Peak7714'

Norman Mountain6170'

Little Ibex Peak7146'

Crowell Mountain6994'

Stanley Mountain4275'

Sheldon Mountain4667'

Shaughnessy Hill4482'

Scenery Mountain6876'

Samater Mountain4033'

McDonald Mountain6306'

Kootenai Mountain5314'

Flat Top Mountain7608'

Big Loaf Mountain7585'

Treasure Mountain7694'

Sawtooth Mountain6763'

Preacher Mountain4956'

McConnell Mountain3648'

Gus Brink Mountain7041'

Grambauer Mountain7377'

Flagstaff Mountain6075'

Sugarloaf Mountain7568'

Parmenter Mountain7345'

Lost Horse Mountain7508'

Government Mountain6105'

Big Hoodoo Mountain5210'

Little Hoodoo Mountain4176'

Great Northern Mountain6867'

William Grambauer Mountain6793'

Bull Lake

Spar Lake

Cabinet Gorge Reservoir

Leigh Lake

Wanless Lake

Savage Lake

Alvord Lake

Double N Lake

Rock Lake

Granite Lake

Upper Cedar Lake

Double Lake

Geiger Lakes

Howard Lake

Sky Lakes

Milnor Lake

Duck Lake

Minor Lake

Slee Lake

Klatawa Lake

Ozette Lake

Lower Cedar Lake

Wishbone Lake

Saint Paul Lake

Throop Lake

Snowshoe Lake

Engle Lake

Schoolhouse Lake

Bramlet Lake

Moose Lake

Grouse Lake

Vimy Lake

Standard Lake

Little Ibex Lake

Lake Osakis

Tahoka Lake

Upper Lake

Big Cherry Lake

Snowshoe Lakes

Cliff Lake

Buck Lake

Copper Lake

Upper BramletLake

Isabella Lake

BIG EDDY

BLACKTAIL CREEK

DRY CREEK

FLOWER CREEK

CABLE CREEK

DAD PEAK

GRAMBAUER

LEIGH LAKE

ROCK LAKE

BEAR CREEK

WAYUP MINE

LAKE CREEK TH 656

ENGLE LAKE TH 932

LIBBY CREEK

CEDAR CREEK

TAYLOR PEAK

MORAN BASIN

GLORIA MINE

MILL-OZETTE

SOUTH FLOWER

LIBBY DIVIDE TH 716

RAMSEY CREEK

ST PAUL LAKE

LIBBY DIVIDE TH 716MILLER CREEK TH 118

TEETERS PEAK TH 300

GRANITE CREEK

CROWELL CREEK

POORMAN CREEK

PILICK RIDGE

BRAMLET CREEK

SILVER DOLLAR TH 114

PARMENTER FLAT

MCKAY MOUNTAIN

STANDARD CREEK TH 116

FOURTH OF JULY TH 115

NORMAN MOUNTAIN

PARMENTER CREEK

BIG CHERRY CREEK

SNOWSHOE PIPELINE

GREAT NORTHERN TH

BERRAY MOUNTAIN

HOWARD LAKE LOOP TRAIL 823

WILLIAMS CREEK/

NORTH FORK BULL RIVER

BERRAY MOUNTAIN WEST

HISTORIC HWY 2HISTORIC HWY 2

HISTORIC HWY 2

BULL RIVER

LAKE CREEK

DORR SKEELS

HOWARD LAKE CG

BAD MEDICINE

GOLD PANNING AREA

MC MILLAN SHOOTING RANGE

BULL RIVER GUARD STATION

Forest Supervisor's Office

Three Rivers Ranger Station

FR 410FR

410

FR 407

FR 407

FR 2741

FR 150 FR 150A

FR 4

02

FR 618

FR 61

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FR 4786

FR 867

FR 2

78

FR 2332

140

972

141

1036

137

136

978

993

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319

129

320

646

820

131

935

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821

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2E

360N

1016

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322

2W

967

119

326

987

1020

139

117

135

649

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1019

966

302

1035

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658

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SNO827

1028

383A

132

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125

817

SNO827D

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132A

649A

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SNO816

SNO816B

SNO827CSNO827A

Koot

enai

Rive

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Bull R

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L ake

Creek

Bi

g Cherry

Cree

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Lib

by Cree

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Bear Creek

No Cre ek

Pipe Creek

Granite Creek

Dry Creek

Cedar Cree

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Deep Creek

Camp Creek

ClarkFork

Falls Creek

Twin Creek

R ock Creek

Parmenter C

reek

Lei gh Creek

Bobta

ilCr

eek

Ram

sey Creek

Smearl Cre ek

Poorman Creek

Stanley Creek

Iron Creek

Quartz Creek

Flower

Cree

k

Cable Creek

East Fork Bull River

Porcu

pine CreekKeeler Creek

R oss Creek

Prospect CreekHorse Creek

China

Creek

NorthFork Bull River

Crow

ell C reek

O'Brien Cr

eek

Snow Creek

Snowshoe Creek

Kool

Creek

Payne Creek

Basin Creek

Ibex Creek

C opper Cre ek

Madge Creek

Berray Creek

Lynx

Cree

k

Lost Creek

South Fork Bull River

Upham Creek

West Fork Rock Creek

DadCree k

Bull C

reek

Ca llaha

nCr

eek

Snake Creek

LittleCherry

Creek

Thicket Creek

F elixCree

k

Doak Cr eek

Getne

r C

re ek

Conta

ctCr

eek

Howard Creek

Shaughnessy Creek

Noggle Creek

Midas Creek

Fairwa y Creek

Elk Creek

North Fork Keeler Creek

Dry Creek

LibbyCreek

Troy

Libby

A guide to hiking and recreation in the Cabinet Mountains

Wilderness of Lincoln and Sanders Counties,

Montana

SCOTCHMAN PEAKS

Working for WILDERNESS

FRIENDS OF

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North Map

South Map

Jennings

Trout Creek

Libby

Heron

Childs

Noxon

Troy

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Hoary marmots • Donald M. Jones

Clark’s nutcracker • Donald M. Jones

Cabinet Mountains Wilderness 101

From the Wilderness Ranger

Massive shelves of rocks lining a spectacular gorge on the Clark Fork River running along the southwestern flank of the mountains that now carry its name inspired French-Canadian voyageurs in the employ of David Thompson to call it the Cabinet Gorge.

The Cabinet Mountains are a relatively small range in the remote northwest corner of Montana. Pacific maritime air drop up to 100 inches of moisture per year on this glacially sculpted terrain. Richly forested slopes rise steeply from valleys at 2,000 feet elevation to rocky, snow-covered peaks at nearly 9,000 feet.

Established by the Wilderness Act of 1964, the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness is a tiny, pristine jewel

35 miles long, varying in width from 8 miles to less than ½ mile. In places, timber harvests have traced the wilderness boundary, and two other locations along its edge are the focus of plans for future mining operations. These efforts by humans to wrest a living, and necessary raw materials, from the land lend an air of precious fragility to the Cabinets. The valleys below have often been embroiled in political turmoil over land use issues regarding the wild country. Meanwhile, the Cabinets endure, the high snows melt, and the rushing cascades play their music for those who will come to hear.

In the northern portion of the wilderness, long valleys shelter old-growth forests of giant cedar, hemlock, and grand fir. Trails carpeted with moss and

tiny hemlock cones pass under cathedral-like canopies that shelter ferns, devil’s club, and queencup-bead lily. The ethereal call of the varied thrush and the omnipresent sound of rushing water are constant companions in this world of moisture and shade.

The trails through these northern rainforests lead into higher elevations, and spruce, white pine, and sub-alpine fir. Alder and Rocky Mountain maple compete for space in the chutes that winter avalanches have torn through the big timber. The glorious palette of an alpine meadow, bathed in morning sunlight, is a sight to gladden a hiker’s eyes. The brilliant gold of glacier lilies, the deep pink of alpine laurel, and the lavender-blue of mountain penstemon provide vivid contrast to the subdued greens of the valley below.

Trails in the southern section of the wilderness climb quickly through lodge-pole pine and bear grass into the high country. The more open aspects of this part of the Cabinets offer expansive views and greater opportunities to see wildlife such as moose, bear, deer, and elk. Generally speaking, routes are shorter here, and some of the southern lake basins are the earliest to open in the spring.

Over 50 lakes lie nestled in high valleys and glacial cirques along the length of the Wilderness. For some hikers, these lakes offer destinations for camping and fishing, while others see them as sparkling jewels along the way to high divide trails or mountain summits. Each of these lakes has its own unique characteristics and beauty, and they all offer great opportunities for photography or just quiet contemplation. These hidden basins are some of Montana’s last best places, where hikers can enjoy real solitude.

Charlie Clough — Wilderness Ranger, Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, 1985 to 2008

Cliff Lake • Randy Beacham

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Designed and produced by Blue Creek Press • Heron, MT • www.bluecreekpress.com • Map components created by Bryan Swindell and DTM Consulting • Bozeman, MT • www.dtmgis.com

ResourcesUS Forest Service: Kootenai National Forest Supervisor’s Office, Libby • 406-293-6211 • www.fs.usda.gov/kootenaiLocal History: www.behindthesemountains.comComprehensive Hiking Guide: Trails of the Wild Cabinets; Dennis Nicholls and Jim Mellen •KeokeeWilderness education & advocacy: Montana Wilderness Assn.: www.wildmontana.org Friends of Scotchman Peaks: www.scotchmanpeaks.org U of M Wilderness Institute: www.wilderness.netDownloadable geopdf: www.wildmontana.org/cabinethikesChambers of Commerce: Libby: www.libbychamber.org Troy Chamber: www.troymtchamber.org Thompson Falls: www.thompsonfallschamber.com

As you use this map to enjoy and learn about the CMW, stop and just be for part of your visit. And please practice the Leave No Trace principles.

Leave No Trace Principles

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces3. Dispose of Waste Properly4. Leave What You Find5. Minimze Campfire Impacts6. Respect Wildlife7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Learn more at www.lnt.org

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Ross Creek Cedars Sandy Compton

Porcupine • Donald M. Jones

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Leigh Lake • Steven Gnam

Gateway • Steven Gnam

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Skiing to Rock Creek Meadows • Jim Mellen

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Vermilion Falls

!OTwenty Odd Peak6049'

Grouse Mountain5968'

TH997-001

ENGLE BEAR PAW &

ELK LAKE

ROCK LAKE

LAKE CREEK

JUMBO PEAK

ENGLE LAKE

ALLEN PEAK

BEAR LAKES

BEAR CK

WATER HILL

LIBBY CREEK TH 119

MILL-OZETTEBARREN PEAK

OLSON CK

BAREE CK

SWAMP CK

20 ODD PEAKELK MOUNTAIN

LIBBY DIVIDE TH 716 MILLER CREEK TH 118

TEETERS PEAK

WANLESS LAKE IRON MEADOWS

PILICK RIDGE TH 1036

BRAMLET CREEK

SILVER DOLLAR

TRAPPER CK

STANDARD CREEK

FOURTH OF JULY

CATARACT CK

PORCUPINE CREEK

PORCUPINE RIDGE

GROUSE CK SOUTH

GROUSE CK NORTH

SILVER BUTTE CKCABINET DIVIDE EAST

CABINET DIVIDE SOUTH

WALOVEN/HIMES EAST

BULL RIVER

LAKE CREEK

NORTH SHORE

HOWARD LAKE

SYLVAN LAKE

OSCAR MILLER

WILLOW CREEK

B Peak6052'

Jew Peak5860'

Gem Peak6092'

Lost Peak5942'

Goat Peak6889'

Rock Peak7583'

Moose Peak6010'

Bloom Peak5863'

Engle Peak7583'

Allen Peak6740'

Water Hill6111'

Twin Peaks7563'

Minton Peak5351'

Midas Point4590'

Graves Peak7050'

Cougar Peak6694'

Carney Peak7173'

Canyon Peak6326'

Benson Peak6693'

Barren Peak5365'

Twenty Peak6171'

Tuscor Hill4528'

Elk Mountain5673'

Chimney Rock4300'

Chicago Peak7018'

Teeters Peak5230'

Stevens Peak5629'

Ojibway Peak7303'

Loveland Peak5473'

Mount Headley7429'

Cataract Peak6205'

Windfall Peak5207'

Green Mountain5456'

Blacktail Peak6103'

Vermilion Peak6700'

Wapiti Mountain4728'

Two Trees Point6040'

Saint Paul Peak7714'

Kenelty Mountain5931'

Fosseum Mountain4583'

Flat Top Mountain7608'

Lost Horse Mountain7508'

Government Mountain6105'

Slide Rock Mountain6455'

Huckleberry Mountain5550'

Seven Point Mountain6660'

Eightyseven Mile Peak5617'

Great Northern Mountain6867'

Noxon Reservoir

Cabinet Gorge Reservoir

Wanless Lake

Rock Lake

Miller Lake

Geiger Lakes

Sylvan Lake

Elk Lake

Ozette Lake

Bear Lakes

Baree Lake

Engle Lake

Bramlet Lake

Sylvan Lake

Image Lake

Noxon Reservoir

Bear Lake

Upper Lake

Rush Lake

Cliff Lake

Grouse Lake

Buck Lake

Upper Bramlet Lake

Marmot Lakes

Ninetythree Mile Lake

FR 2332

FR 231

FR 1

48

FR 2232

FR 154

FR 154

FR 1022

FR 150

FR 150A

FR 2285

FR 150

FR 2741

6S

845

912

293

921

847

360E

924

892

63

360S

466

113

116

532

656

415

114

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295

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842

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Trout Creek Ranger Station

Clark Fork

Verm

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n River

Rock Creek

Bull R

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Swamp Creek

Marten Creek

West Fisher Creek

Trout Creek

Trai

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East Fisher Creek

Silver Butte Fisher River

Lake

Cree

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Sims Creek

Pilgr im Cree k

Stevens C reek

Owl Creek

Cat aract Creek

Tuscor Creek

Bear

Cree

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Himes Creek

Deep Creek

McK

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Galena Creek

West Fork Trout Creek

W illow Creek

Minton C reek

Little

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Basin Creek

Engle Cre ek

Raven Creek

Olso

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Pleasant Valley Fisher River

Rob in Run

Goat Creek

Bare e Creek

Sold

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Tra pper Cr eek

Orr Creek

Kismet Creek

Ice Creek

Queer Creek

HoughtonCreek

Rarit

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Colonit

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West Fork Rock Creek

B lacktail Creek

Granite Creek

Sedlak Creek

Co

ntrol Creek

Porcupine Creek

Attle

bury

Creek

Fir Creek

Devil Run

Burton Creek

Hu nter C ree

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McGinnis Creek

Sprin

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Jew Creek

Mil ler C

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LostCr

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Ch illy Creek

Crystal Creek

Smeads Creek

Silver Bow Creek

BeaverCreek

Irvs Creek

McG

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B ear C

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Blacktai l Creek

Noxon

Childs

Trout Creek

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1 M•Cedar Lakes Trail # 141:

Upper Cedar Lake is one of the most spectacular lakes in the CMW. The trail is a long straight steady 5 miles. From there, Dome Mountain, Sky Lakes, and Minor Lake are within reach, providing a pure wilderness experience. Stock friendly

2 M•Granite Creek Trail # 136: Being one of the lowest in the

CMW, the trail to Granite Lake is one of the first to be snow-free. Six miles one-way, the elevation gain is moderate. A and Snowshoe Peaks tower above the lake, and Blackwell Glacier resides in a cirque to the south. Travel beyond the lake is very challenging.

3 E•Leigh Lake Trail # 132: This lake is a total gem and a gateway to some of the most exciting terrain

in the CMW. The trail is short and steep, especially near the lake where it is cliffy.

4 E•Bramlet Lake Trail # 658: This trail follows an

old mining road almost to the lake. The lower lake is a peaceful fishing destination.

5 M•Barree Lake - Bear Lake Loop (Trails # 489,

# 3605, # 63 and # 178): This nine mile loop trip has it all. From 1910 fire orignated lodgepole pine to old growth forests and high open ridgeline vistas. Add in the opportunity to fish for westslope cutthroat trout at two alpine lakes. To enjoy it all, camp overnight along the Cabinet Divide and experience a dazzling sunset. Stock friendly.

6 S•Cabinet Divide East Trail # 360E: This 14 mile

loop trip is well suited for stock users. After ascending the powerline road to the Cabinet Divide, 6 miles of high open ridgeline vistas await the visitor. Plan your trip for clear weather and you will surely run out of film. At Silver Butte Pass, turn north to your start point.

7 S•Swamp Creek Trail # 912: At nine miles one

way to Wanless Lake, this is best accomplished in a multi-day trip. Well worth the price of admission, the whole multi-lake basin is a wonderland. Engle Peak or Lost Buck Pass are possible for the adventurous.

8 M•Rock Lake Trail # 935: The trail follows an old mining road

past Rock Creek Meadows to Heidelberg Falls, where some interesting remains of a rusting pelton wheel and other mining equipment make a great spot for a lunch break. The wilderness boundary is at the lake, which is overshadowed by the impressive rock slab of Ojibway Peak.

9 ES•Libby Lakes: The highest lakes in the CMW are located

north of Rock Lake. A manway on the west side of Rock Lake leads to St Paul Pass, with the lakes lying east of the pass. This arduous but rewarding trip

can be accomplished on a long day hike or better yet, a 3-day backpacking trip. For the super adventurous, an extreme scramble up Elephant Peak is possible from Libby Lakes.

10 E•Cliff Lake: Although not an official trail, this leads to Cliff Lake and Chicago and St Paul Peaks. It

crosses a fragile mountain meadow, so travel on established routes. Possibly the easiest trail in the CMW, the drive is way more difficult than the hike. Take a high-clearance vehicle you are not fond of.

11 M•St Paul Lake Trail # 646: The trail to St Paul

Lake follows a cold-air- drainage with a heavy canopy, making it a perfect hike for hot summer days. While not as impressive as other lakes in the Cabinets, the waterfalls and cliff bands above the lake are stunning.

12 S•Dad Peak Trail # 987: Hike to the ruins of an old fire lookout on a trail that winds from Snake Creek

Pass through beargrass and pick luscious huckleberries in late summer. Make an interesting open loop by combining this with the Devils Club trail.

13 ES•Snowshoe and A Peaks: The two highest and

most spectacular peaks in the region can be reached via a manway at the end of the North Fork trail. It may be easier to reach the peaks from Leigh Lake, but the manway leads to Snowshoe Lake, an amazing gem. From the Lake, both Snowshoe and A Peaks can be accessed. The view of Granite Lake from A Peak is particularly stunning with a nearly 4,000 foot vertical drop!

Hiking in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness: A SamplerThe CMW has 34 National Forest System trails comprising 143 miles of designated routes, and no signs saying

“stay on the trail.” Below is a sampling of 13 hikes picked to whet any appetite. These hikes are keyed to numbers on both sides of the map and are arranged in geographic order clockwise around the Wilderness starting with Ce-dar Lakes at the north end. E is for Easy (bring the toddler). M for Moderate (take the ten-year-old). S for Strenu-ous ( and also for Serious). ES for Extra-Strenuous (check with your physician). The ratings are lighthearted, but they are also to be taken seriously. Always error on the side of caution. The Wilderness is wild, after all.

A Wilderness Hunting “Disclaimer.”

“It might sound like the hunting is spectacular in the wilderness. Actually, the elk hunting is very difficult because of the steep terrain and the distances you have to hike to get to the game. This holds doubly true for packing out animals over long distances.

“Because it’s more physical than most want to endure, the area is not crowded. Usually you have it pretty much to yourself. When you draw a moose, goat or sheep permit for the Wilderness you have to hunt there. What is spectacular are the cliffs, lakes, glaciers, and wildness of the area. It sets one apart from the regular hunters, who spend a lot of time driving.”

Don Clark, retired teacher and hunter, Libby, Montana

A Western Legacy: Hunting, Gathering and Fishing

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For centuries, humans have been traveling through, resting in and gleaning sustenance from wild places. The Wilderness Act of 1964 was written in part to protect and enhance these human-powered endeavors in wild and roadless areas. The CMW is open to hunting, fishing, berry picking and mushroom gathering

during the appropriate seasons. Trophy elk, west slope cutthroat trout, mountain goats, moose, deer and game birds are taken regularly from the CMW, as are gallons of huckleberries and pounds of morels and chantrells. Many of the high mountain lakes have been stocked with cutthroat trout and the rivers adjoining the wilderness are known to produce sport fish from bass to walleyes to rainbow trout and German browns.

As important as these opportunities are, it is also critical that we have places “to hear ourselves think,” away from the growing clamor of the planet. “In wildness is the preservation of the world,” wrote Henry Thoreau. It is just as true today as when he penned that nearly 200 years ago.

Huckleberry heaven • Sandy Compton

Fishing at Snowshoe Lake Jim Mellen

Don Clark (right rear) with three former students and a trophy bull

Wet hiking near Dad Peak • Jim Mellen

The view looking north from Engle Peak • Jim Mellen

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The nearest five communities are Troy and Libby in Lincoln County and Heron, Noxon and Trout Creek in Sanders County, all within a few air miles of the CMW boundary. Other population centers nearby are Clark Fork, Hope, Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint, Idaho; Thompson Falls, Kalispell and Missoula, Montana. The nearest international airports are at Kalispell, Missoula and Spokane, Washington.

Each of the small communities surrounding the Wilderness has it’s unique attractions and events. January: Annual Polar Bear Plunge, LibbyMarch: Libby Irish FairMay: Heron Players annual spring play• STOKR Bike Race to benefit Habitat For Humanity in

Libby• Montana stream fishing season opens third week-

end of May.June: Libby Logger DaysJuly: Troy Fourth of July Celebration and parades in

Heron, Noxon, Clark Fork, Trout Creek and Thompson Falls;

• Kootenai River Rodeo, Libby• Two Rivers Rendezvous, Fisher River valleyAugust: Blues festivals in Noxon and Libby• Trout Creek Huckleberry Festival• Ignite the Nights Car Show, LibbySeptember: Libby Nordic Fest• David Thompson Days in Thompson FallsSeptember thru November: Big game hunting seasonsDecember: Annual Festival of Lights in LibbyDecember thru March: Alpine Skiing at Turner Mountain• Snowmobiling opportunities abound in the Kootenai

and Panhandle National Forests. • Nordic Skiing at Flower Creek Nordic trails and along

the Bighorn Trail near Libby.

CMW’s neighboring communities

Other Attractions Around the Wilderness14

Proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness: This

88,000 acre roadless area west of Bull River features some of the wildest country in western Montana .

15 Ross Creek Cedars: 600-year old cedars in a rain-for-

est setting. Wheelchair accessible.

16 Roosevelt Park: Troy’s waterfront city park features

ball fields, a music stage, picnic grounds and a boat ramp.

17 Historic US 2 Hiking Trail: Two sections of a recycled

highway lead to big views of the Kootenai River. Entries at MPs 21.6, 25.7 and 27.3 on US 2; MP 33 on MT Hwy 56.

18 Kootenai Falls: The Kootenai River is at its most spec-

tacular between Libby and Troy on US 2. Wheelchair accessible view; hiking trail, swinging bridge.

19 Big Horn Hiking Trail: A five-mile hiking and biking trail

along the north edge of the Kootenai River west of Libby through land deeded to Montana as bighorn sheep habitat.

20 Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa: A lake shared with

Canada; fishing, boating, camping and summer water fun.

21 J. Neils Park and Trail: A 1.5 mile trail system and city

park near the Kootenai River in Libby.

22 Flower Creek Nordic Trails: Over 8 and a half miles

of grooomed crosscountry ski trails just south of Libby.

23 Vermillion Falls: Tumbling down a steep, narrow

canyon, the falls makes rainbows in sunlight filtered through big trees on both banks. A great place on a hot day.

Kootenai Falls • Randy Beacham

Mountain Blue Bird Randy Beacham

A Peak from Vimy Ridge • Andrew KlausCamp in the Cabinets • Andrew Klaus

Be Bear AwareThe Cabinet Mountains Wilderness is home to black and grizzly bears. Wilderness visitors should be able to identify which is which. To avoid conflict with these beautiful creatures, it’s important to learn about hik-ing and camping in bear habitat. For the protection of humans as well as bears, there is a food storage order in force on many National Forests, including the Kootenai. Visit http://bit.ly/BearSafeFood to learn more. Bear educational information is available at most ranger stations, as well as online at many sites. Google “Bear Aware” or visit www.bearaware.bc.ca

Black BearDonald M. Jones

Grizzly BearDonald M. Jones

Rocky Mountain Elk Donald M. Jones

23

Legend

N 18.5°

Alvin Lake

Alvin Lake

200

200