ross creek cedar trail - ilivetotravel's travel log

Up in the panhandle of Idaho and the northwest corner of Montana, there is some spectacular, largely unspoiled scenery. I imagine not many get to see these lands as people focus on Coeur d’Alene, Big Sky or Glacier Mountain National Park. Well, it may make sense that they focus on those places but, if you have the chance, venture off-the-beaten-path. I did just that simply on intuition, assuming/hoping that the remote corners of Idaho and Montana would deliver. I was not disappointed. Lake Pend Oreille, Ross Creek Cedar Trail and Kootenai Falls delivered!

#1 Before Montana: Idaho and Lake Pend Oreille

On my way to NW Montana, we drove north from Coeur d’Alene on route 95 through the town of Sandpoint to take Route 200 around Lake Pend Oreille. Originally we had planned to go north past Sandpoint to Bonners Ferry and then take U.S. Highway 2. However, the visitor center in Sandpoint recommended not continuing north on Route 95 but taking Route 200 instead to enjoy the scenic drive along the lake’s shore. The exact quote was “I don’t why young punks insist of going north to Bonners Ferry”; I was flattered by the “young”…

In any event… Lake Pend Oreille is the 5th deepest lake in the U.S. and the 38th/39th largest lake in the country. Interestingly, it became the second largest naval training ground in the world during World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor – who knew!

Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho's panhandle, map, great drive

Lake Pend Oreille looks like an ear – or a shrimp

The name of the lake means ear pendant in French which makes sense as it looks like an ear on the map. However, it was named back when the shape was not as evident. But, a likely explanation I read was that the Kalispeli residents of the area, whom the Canadian traders ran into, did wear ear pendants.

I don’t know what our original planned route would have been like but Route 200 around the lake was right on point. Lake Pend Oreille’s coastline is nice and curvy and there are plenty of pull-offs to stop and soak it all in.

We were also advised to try The Pantry bakery in Clark Fork where locals make delicious and fresh pastries (and one could pick up something for lunch too). We did stop and enjoyed apple and cherry pies and bought this phenomenal chocolate pound cake that I enjoyed the rest of the trip!

#2 Ross Creek Cedar Trail in Route 56

Once we left Clark Fork, the visitor center advisor had also suggested we take Route 56 on our way to get to U.S. Highway 2 as the Ross Creek Cedar Trail park was worth a stop and Route 56 was quite scenic. Our plan all along had been to get to Hwy 2 (but by Bonners Ferry, if you recall…) to enter Montana so the recommendation would still allow us to do that, so we took it. Some time after crossing into Montana from Idaho on Route 200, we found Route 56.

Ross Creek Cedar Trail was a short (1 mile or so) walk through a grove of cedar trees. The tree trunks were massively wide at their bases. Some of the trees are 1,000 years old (I found it mindboggling but the forest service website says so!). It was a nice way to stretch the legs on an easy trail and breathe clean, fresh air! (Well, as long as you are not close to the vault toilets… what a situation!)

The drive out of the park along route 56 going north towards Troy was fun as it was not highly trafficked and the scenery quite enjoyable. Driving north seeing the mountains ahead made for a memorable drive!

Ross Creek Cedar Trail, hiking in Montana, exploring western Montana, massive cedar tree

Heading out of the Ross Creek Cedar Trail park towards route 56

Views off route 56

Kootenai River, route 56 in Montana, Kootenai Falls, US Highway 2 in Montana

Entering Kootenai River Country in route 56

#3 Kootenai Falls in Montana

Soon, we reached Hwy 2 and and headed east to get to Kootenai Falls, about 4 miles away or so. Easy to pull off the road into a parking area next to the trail-head. It did not take long to see why this spot is so highly recommended as a must-see. The hike itself is not too strenuous but it is not a flat, smooth path. But before you get there, you will have to go down a few flights of stairs in a large metal staircase that helps cross over the railroad line that goes through the area.

I will let the photos speak for themselves, just know that there are two paths: one to the main part of the falls and the other to a swinging bridge that serves a a good vantage point to look at the falls. Do cross the bridge as there is a good vantage point from there too.