Ski Trails

Wintertime in Montana means a paradise for the cross country skier. When choosing a ski trail, consider the ability of the least experienced skier in your group and plan your time and distance accordingly. Trail ratings (i.e.; easy, more difficult) are extremely relative in this area. So-called “easy” trails can become a nightmare in icy conditions or in adverse weather.

Following are just a few of the more beautiful places to ski tour in the valley:

Laughing Water Creek - This is an ideal tour for beginners offering good opportunities for wildlife observation. The trail begins a quarter mile north of the Murphy Lake Ranger Station on Highway 93. Turn east on Murphy Lake Road #1031 and drive up it as far as the snow conditions allow - usually about two miles to a junction. The left fork is a closed road with a gate about 50 yards down. Ski down the road and past the gate. The trail is marked and eventually climbs gently up a hillside through two clear-cut areas offering good views of the Tobacco Valley and Salish Mountains.

Therriault Pass Trail - This is rated as an “easy” ski with moderate terrain. It’s about four miles in length, is groomed periodically and offers wonderful views of Therriault Pass. Turn off Highway 93 onto Glen Lake Road and travel four miles east to the Therriault Pass Road (#756). Follow Therriault Pass Road for two-and-a-half miles to the parking area. The trail is marked with blue cross country ski triangles.

Ross Creek Cedars - This intermediate ski trail travels through virgin cedar forests with outstanding mountain views. The distance is nine miles round trip. To get to the trail turn south off Highway 2 onto State Highway 56, 15 miles west of Libby. Follow this road for 18 miles to the sign for Ross Creek Cedar Grove. Park in the plowed parking area on the west side of the road and begin skiing up the unplowed road. You’ll reach the actual cedar groves after about 3.5 miles. Some of the trees are more than 500 years old and reach 175 feet in height. The return trip is a gentle downhill back to your car with magnificent views of the Cabinet Mountains looming to the east.

McGuire Mountain Lookout - McGuire Mountain is located approximately 20 miles southwest of Eureka. The trail length varies considerably from season to season, depending on logging activity and how far the access roads are plowed. Count on a minimum of a 6 mile ski in (one way). Take Pinkham Creek Road (#856) for approximately 13 miles then turn and follow Sutton Ridge Road (#494) to the west until you can drive no further. After skiing up the logging road for several miles you will eventually come to the trail marker on the left side of the road. This is where the real climbing begins. You’ll ascend two miles through steep wooded terrain and then break out on the ridge line, leaving you with a half mile climb up the open ridge to the lookout, perched on the very top of the nearly 7,000 foot summit. The cabin is a renovated 1924 Cupola-style lookout and is equipped with a wood cooking and heating stove, table, bench, shovel, bucket and cleaning gear. There is a bunk but no mattress. Firewood is available and marked in the winter months with a flag. McGuire Mountain offers 360 degrees of spectacular views of Glacier National Park, the Cabinet Mountains and the Whitefish Range. Reservations are required if you plan on spending the night and can be obtained by contacting the Eureka Ranger Station at (406) 296-2536.

The fee is $15 and permits are issued on a first come, first served basis.