M o u n ta i n S t y l e
the cabinet mountains
Still Wild after all these years
Writer sweats the details for third edition of popular “Wild Cabinets” hiking guide Inveterate hiker Jim Mellen has carried on the hiking guides originally authored by his friend Dennis Nicholls. Their guide book, “Trails of the Wild Cabinets,” has just come out in its third edition.
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by Jim
mellen
pdating these trail guides always throws me for a loop. I think it might only take me 40 hours to do an update but 300 hours later I am still struggling with the details. I would hate to see someone make a plan to do a great hike and then get thrown off track by inaccuracies in the book, so I sweat over maps, sorting out conflicting information. Probably the most interesting trail that I researched while working on this book was Char Creek Trail No.1030. This trail is actually a decommissioned road. I biked up there from Clark Fork (and this is still open to bikes) and made a loop, planning to ride down Rattle Creek, which is also a decommissioned road. The difference is that while Char Creek Trail No.1030 is an actual trail, Rattle Creek is totally decommissioned, even to hiking. So this “ride” turned into an exhausting slog. If I had it to do again I would make a loop and come down Mud Creek Trail No. 559 (another new trail) but I would hike it this time. A couple of super easy hikes have been added to the third edition: Char Creek Falls (Trail No. 1030) and Kootenai Falls trails. For those looking for a little more challenge, go beyond Rock Lake Trail No. 5 up to Libby Lakes. It’s beautiful, but difficult.The first time I took my wife, Sandii, there, she told me, “I will never come back here!” Two weeks later we were back again. One month after that, she Climbers at Char Falls. was back with a friend. Her photo of that friend is on the front cover of the third edition.
Char Creek Trail No. 1030 From page 135 of “Trails of the Wild Cabinets,” third edition.
Sprawling 150 miles across northwest Montana and northern Idaho, the Cabinet Mountains are one of the little-known frontal ranges of the Rocky Mountains. Formed of ancient sedimentary rock and sculpted by massive glaciers during the Ice Age, the Cabinets hold inspiring peaks, breathtakin g alpine lakes, unspoiled forests and rare wildlife. This guide provides descriptions for 100-plus trails with charts and maps to easily find hikes for all abilities – from an easy day hike to a multi-day wilderness adventure. Also featured in this third edition is a new guide to trails suitable for mountain bikes.
PHOTO BY CHRIS BESSLER
Sandpoint, Idaho
Cover-Trails of Wild Cabinets-final.indd
IDAHO - MONTANA
Founder and former publisher of The River Journal newspaper, author Dennis Nicholls worked as a forestry technician and consultant, and spent more than 20 years roaming the Cabinets. He died in 2009. Nicholls’ guide books have since been carried on by his friend and hiking partner Jim Mellen, who is himself an avid hiker and outdoorsman with a love for wild places and their protection.
Wild Cabinets
NICHOLLS & MELLEN
What’s it like? This trail was converted to a non-motorized trail in 2010. It provides access to Rattle Ridge Trail No. 134 that leads to Lightning Mountain and Twin Peaks. The trail follows decommissioned roads for the first miles. The grade is moderate and suitable for mountain bikes. Once on the actual trail, it is typical
Trails of the Wild Cabinets
Best suited for: hiking, horseback riding, mountain bikes Trail length: 8 miles one way from the junction with Trail No. 1184. Trail condition: good Elevation gain: 1,580 ft. Estimated duration of hike: 4 hours up, 3 hours down Sweat index: moderate Best features: views of the Scotchman Peaks.
subalpine forest with huckleberries and beargrass. The views of the Scotchmans are terrific with Scotchman No. 2, Savage and East Fork strutting their stuff. Trailhead: Take Lightning Creek Rd No. 419 A K E O K E E G U I D E THIRD EDITION B O O K Discovefor r the 8 miles, turn right from Clark Fork, Idaho, Magnificent t Mountains Trails of the onto East Fork CreekCabine Road No. 1184. Take Trail No. 1184 for 0.5 miles to the intersection EDITION T H I R D MOUNTAI of East Fork Peak Trail No. 563. The trailhead N BIKING NEW TRAILS + is signed on both sides of the creek. The East Fork of Lightning Creek must be forded and this is a wide crossing... .It’s best to simply cut straight uphill once across the stream for approximately 150 vertical feet until you Dennis Nicholls come upon an old logging road now mainJim Mellen tained as the trail. 1
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