Get ready for a snowmobiling experience that will change the way you look at sledding. Kootenai Country Montana boasts over 200-miles of groomed trails and some extreme off-piste challenges that will take your breath away. The thick blankets of snow that cover our sparsely populated terrain will give you the ride of your life, and give you opportunities to take pictures and videos you will enjoy for a lifetime.
• Big Creek Baldy (16 Miles North of Libby, MT.)
• Purcell Trail (16 Miles North of Libby, MT.)
• Quartz Creek (6 Miles Northwest or 19 Miles Northwest of Libby, MT.)
• Safety Trail (14 Miles Northwest of Libby, MT.)
• Pete Creek Trail (3 Miles West of Yaak, MT.)
• Fourth of July Creek (17 Miles North of Troy, MT.)
• Meadow Creek Trail (10 Miles Southwest of Yaak, MT.)
• Spread Creek Trail (6 Miles Southwest of Yaak, MT.)
• Keeler Creek Trail (8 Miles South of Troy, MT.)
• North Creek/Beetle Creek Trail (6.5 Miles West of Yaak, MT. for Whitetail Creek access, & 7.5 Miles NW of Yaak-Beetle)
Distance: 15 miles one way
Trail Begins: Pipe Creek
Trail Ends: Where trail loops to Big Creek Baldy Lookout
East Fork of Pipe Creek Snowmobile Trail is a 30-mile marked and groomed loop trip, which can include a short side trip to Big Creek Baldy Lookout and warming hut. The trail offers views of the Yaak and Kootenai River areas. Watch for ski tourers. Cooperative operation with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Lincoln County and Lincoln SnoKats. Parking capacity for 10-cars. The warming hut is a log cabin shelter located just below Big Creek Baldy Lookout; It has a wood stove, plenty of wood, indoor seating and a vault toilet. Take care to watch for cross-country skiers, and other snowmobile traffic.
Area Map: Kootenai National Forest Visitors Map
USGS Map1: Gold Hill
USGS Map2: Pink Mountain
Township 33N, Range 31W, Section 16
Kootenai National Forest
Directions: From Libby, travel north 0.5-mile to Pipe Creek Road 68. Turn left and follow 19-miles to the trailhead which is immediately adjacent to the road.
Distance: 70 miles, loop.
Trail Begins: Pipe Creek
Trail Ends: Where trail loops to Big Creek Baldy Lookout
Purcell Mountains Snowmobile Trail
There is usually enough snowfall on Purcell Mountains Snowmobile Trail by Thanksgiving to enjoy snowmobiling, often through April. Use care as cross-country skiers also like the easy grades and scenery. In addition to the primary snow routes, there are many secondary roads. The trip to the reservoir is a long, very scenic ride. The nearest plowed access to the far end is at Koocanusa Bridge, another 9-miles. There are approximately 70-miles of groomed snowmobile routes in this area.
Area Map: Kootenai National Forest Visitors Map
USGS Map1: Gold Hill
USGS Map2: Pink Mountain
Township 33N, Range 31, Section 21
Directions: From Libby, travel north 0.5-mile to Pipe Creek Road 68. Turn left and follow 19-miles to the trailhead which is immediately adjacent to the road.
Distance: 30-miles, loop.
Trail Begins: Pipe Creek
Trail Ends: Trail loops back to end at Pipe Creek
Quartz Creek: 30-miles of marked, groomed trails 6-miles northwest of Libby or 19-miles north of Libby on Pipe Creek Road/Loon Lake road junction. Limited parking along road at southern access. Parking for 10-cars at north end of trail on Pipe Creek at junction of Roads 68 (Pipe Creek) and 471 (Loon Lake).
Trail Begins: Loon Lake Road
Trail Ends: Junction of Pipe Creek and Purcell
The safety trail is a route designed to get snowmobilers safely from the parking lot at Loon Lake Road and Pipe Creek Road without having to travel Pipe Creek Road. *Roads are open to snowmobilers only if groomed or not open to travel by wheeled vehicles.
Distance: 14 miles
Trail Begins: Intersection Road # 435 Spread Creek, and Whitetail Creek Road # 5932
Trail Ends: Intersection Road # 748 Beetle Creek, and Pete Creek Road # 338
Great views of Purcell Mountains, Canadian Rockies, and Yaak River Valley. This trail connects Spread and Pete Creek, and has some good wildlife and track viewing! Roughly 14 miles, riders can make a loop using Spread or Pete Creek, Beetle Creek and Whitetail Creeks access points. Trail is intermittently groomed by way of North Creek. Spread Creek and Pete Creek connections are marked, and this trail is intermittently groomed. Cooperators are Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and the Troy Snowmobile Club. Main trails transect higher elevations with excellent views. There is limited parking at the 435 and 5932 intersection, and very limited parking at the 748 and 338 intersection. Be alert for snowmobile traffic, Cross Country Skiers, and maintain a Moose watch also!
Area Map: Garver Mountain, and Clark Mountain
USGS #: Maps 10 and 15
T. 36 N., R. 33 W., Sections 34 and 2
Directions: U.S. Highway 2 to 508 Yaak River Road, and up the Yaak for about 20 miles to Spread Creek. Turn up Spread Creek and go 1.2 miles to intersection road # 5932 Whitetail Creek to the East.
Distance: 42 Miles with Optional Loops
Trail Begins: Marten Creek Bay at Intersection Roads # 2229 & Road # 151 Creek, and Whitetail Creek Road # 5932
Trail Ends: Optional Loops to Gem Peak, Stevens Ridge, and Idaho Border
This is a gorgeous trail of 42 miles with optional loops into Gem Peak, Stevens Ridge, and the ridge between Montana and Idaho border. This is a groomed trail with connections marked. Side trips may also include the North Branch of Marten Creek, and the Gem Peak Warming Hut! Fantastic views of the Bitterroot Mountains, Cabinet Mountains, Marten Creek Bay, Gem Peak, and the Idaho Border. The Gem Peak warming Hut is located on the Gem Peak Saddle, and has a fireplace with a grill for cooking. Cooperators include MDFWP and the Cabinet Ridge Riders. There is a large parking area at the Trailhead with a toilet. Be safe, and watch out for other snowmobile traffic, as well as elk and moose!
Area Map: Noxon and Gem Peak
USGS #: 104 and 105 respectively
T. 25 N., R. 32 W., Section 32 for start of trail
Directions to Trailhead: Take MT. Hwy. 200 to Trout Creek, MT. Go 1/4 mile southwest of Trout Creek and turn southwest and travel approximately 8 miles on Road # 2229 to intersection 2229 and the # 151 Road.
