Hiking Project Logo

This is a beautiful canyon trail in the Bitterroot Mountains following the course of Kootenai Creek.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

10.6

Miles

17.1

KM

Point to Point

6,326' 1,928 m

High

3,572' 1,089 m

Low

2,974' 906 m

Up

262' 80 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

24%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

This hike begins at the Kootenai Creek Trailhead just northwest of Stevensville. The hike begins closely following the course of Kootenai Creek to the south of the trail with deep-cut canyon views and the beautiful sound of a pristine waterway.

At about the 3.5 mile mark the trail crosses into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and weaves slightly northward and away from the creek. You'll traverse through variable terrain ranging from course rocky trail and narrow sections of rock screes to flat riparian earth. Be prepared for several creek crossings.

The trail ends at North Kootenai Lake where you can camp if you so choose (there are several campsites along the trail, as well). This trail joins with #302 which can be taken to reach South Kootenai Lake. A beautiful experience whether you continue all the way to the lakes at the back of the trail or simply stop for lunch a quarter mile in!

Flora & Fauna

Plenty of wildflowers in the spring and summer, marmots, ground squirrels, chipmunks, a variety of birds. This is black bear and mountain lion country!

Contacts

Shared By:

McCaide Wooten

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 4 votes

#3

in Stevensville

#11820

Overall
  4.0 from 4 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
25%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
25%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#3

in Stevensville

#293

in Montana

#11,820

Overall
5 Views Last Month
895 Since May 30, 2020
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
50%
50%
0%
0%

Photos

Trailside falls
Jul 30, 2020 near Stevens…, MT
Creek crossing
Jul 30, 2020 near Stevens…, MT
East to west view from the bank of North Kootenai Lake
Jul 30, 2020 near Stevens…, MT
Getting lost in the understory
Jul 30, 2020 near Stevens…, MT
View from trail
Jul 30, 2020 near Stevens…, MT
Wildflowers
Jul 30, 2020 near Stevens…, MT

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 94 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 25, 2022
Shelby Warren
3mi — 12h 25m
Jul 24, 2020
Jamey Webb
First mi was mostly along creek. Around 1.5 in, picked some wile huckleberries, but turned around at 2 because it was away from the creek and no views 4mi
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.