map & Information MISSION STATEMENT: Working to build community awareness and support for the existing wild backcountry of the Cube Iron - Cataract Area about This map brochure is designed to show a special backcountry area, and the many attractions and hiking opportunities in and around the area. To wildlife the area provides important habitat, especially for species like mountain goats, big horn sheep, roaming grizzly bears and wolverines, plus other native species that favor wild areas and the security they provide. To hikers and nature lovers the backcountry provides a place to view and hunt wildlife, and to experience the joy and inspiration of wild mountain scenery, free of the crowds and commotion of the modern age. We invite you to check out all the recreational opportunities, and to come and explore this rare and special place. A Variety of Local Hiking Opportunities Cautions: On longer hikes, a more detailed map is recommended. Inquire with Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. Plains/Thompson Falls RD. 408 Clayton Plains, MT 59859 (406) 826–3821 A GPS device can be helpful, but road information from electronic navigation systems can lead you astray on backroads. Easy Hikes • Thompson Falls Community Trail. A loop trail starting downtown with a pedestrian bridge over the river and views and interpretive signs of the century old Dam and Powerhouse. • Mule Pasture Recreation Area. Just outside Thompson Falls, hiking through woods and open meadows, includes exercise stations. • Terrace Lake, FS Trail #102. Long drive & short hike to classic mountain lake. • Goat Lakes, FS Trail #478. Long drive on low standard road and short hike to lakes. Special Attractions Around this area and accessible by car (Also see: sanderscounty.org) Distances and times are from Thompson Falls • Blossom Lake & Revett Lake. Beautiful high mountain lakes, south of the Clark Fork River & off this map, located just SW of Thompson Pass, off of Prospect Creek Road. (25 miles – 40 minutes) • Graves Creek Falls: A dramatic long, steep and rocky falls visible from the parking area off Graves Creek Road and short trails nearby (12 miles – 30 minutes). • Vermillion Falls: Another large and steep falls with a number of plunge pools on the way down. Short walk through the woods from Vermillion River Road (30 miles - 70 minutes). • Cougar Peak Lookout: and Cabin Rental, iconic old lookout and sweeping views about a mile walk from the top of Cougar Peak Road (25 miles – 60 minutes). • River Access and Boat Launch sites at: Thompson Falls Flatiron Ridge. (5 miles – 10 minutes) Vermillion River mouth. (20 miles – 35 minutes) • Thompson Falls State Park: Located on the Clark Fork River with big trees, camping and picnic sites (3 miles - 7 minutes). additional campgrounds • Copper King Campground, USFS. On the Thompson River. Fishing access (8 miles - 16 minutes). • Clark Memorial Campground, USFS. On Thompson River, with huge old cedar trees (10 miles – 20 minutes). • West fork Fishtrap Creek Campground, USFS • Willow Creek Campground, USFS. At the junction of Willow Creek and the Vermillion Rive (41 miles – 90 minutes). • Birdland Bay Campground & RV Park, private ownership. On a beautiful bay on the Clark Fork River (4 miles – 8 minutes). • Fishtrap Lake & Campground, USFS. A large and beautiful mountain lake with fishing and hiking (35 miles - 80 minutes). What is the Cube Iron-Cataract Coalition (CICC) The CICC is a local group working to build community awareness and support for this special backcountry area. The area is anchored by the Cataract Roadless Area (RA) on the west and the Cube Iron and Sundance RAs on the east. We seek support for keeping this area the way it is today, for the use and enjoyment of future generations. Our group recommends no road closures and little or no change to existing uses in this area as defined in current land management plans. We support a wide range of activities on our public lands including active management, motorized recreation, trails for mountain biking, and protecting special areas of existing wild country. www.cubeironcataract.org [email protected]cubeironcataractcoalition
Transcript
map & Information
Th
e C
ICC
is a local gro
up
wo
rking to
bu
ild co
mm
un
ity aw
areness and support for this special backcountry area. T
he area is anchored by the Cataract Roadless A
rea (RA
) on the w
est and the Cube Iron and Sund
ance RA
s on theeast. W
e seek support for keeping this area the way it is
today, for the use and enjoyment of future generations.
Ou
r grou
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ses in
this area as d
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rt a wid
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range of activities on our pub
lic lands includ
ing active
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na
gement, m
otorized recreation, trails for mountain
b
iking, an
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rote
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Cu
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(CIC
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Wh
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Inf
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ma
tio
nMISSION STATEMENT: Working to build community awareness and support for the existing wild backcountry of the Cube Iron - Cataract Area
about
This map brochure is designed to show a special backcountry area, and the many attractions and hiking opportunities in and around the area. To wildlife the area provides important habitat, especially for species like mountain goats, big horn sheep, roaming grizzly bears and wolverines, plus other native species that favor wild areas and the security they provide. To hikers and nature lovers the backcountry provides a place to view and hunt wildlife, and to experience the joy and inspiration of wild mountain scenery, free of the crowds and commotion of the modern age.
We invite you to check out all the recreational opportunities, and to come and explore this rare and special place.
A Variety of Local Hiking Opportunities
Cautions: On longer hikes, a more detailed map is recommended. Inquire with Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District.
A GPS device can be helpful, but road information from electronic navigation systems can lead you astray on backroads.
Easy Hikes
• Thompson Falls Community Trail. A loop trail starting downtown with a pedestrian bridge over the river and views and interpretive signs of the century old Dam and Powerhouse.
• Mule Pasture Recreation Area. Just outside Thompson Falls, hiking through woods and open meadows, includes exercise stations.
• Terrace Lake, FS Trail #102. Long drive & short hike to classic mountain lake.
• Goat Lakes, FS Trail #478. Long drive on low standard road and short hike to lakes.
Special AttractionsAround this area and accessible by car
(Also see: sanderscounty.org)
Distances and times are from Thompson Falls
• Blossom Lake & Revett Lake. Beautiful high mountain lakes, south of the Clark Fork River & off this map, located just SW of Thompson Pass, off of Prospect Creek Road. (25 miles – 40 minutes)
• Graves Creek Falls: A dramatic long, steep and rocky falls visible from the parking area off Graves Creek Road and short trails nearby (12 miles – 30 minutes).
• Vermillion Falls: Another large and steep falls with a number of plunge pools on the way down. Short walk through the woods from Vermillion River Road (30 miles - 70 minutes).
• Cougar Peak Lookout: and Cabin Rental, iconic old lookout and sweeping views about a mile walk from the top of Cougar Peak Road (25 miles – 60 minutes).
• River Access and Boat Launch sites at: Thompson Falls Flatiron Ridge. (5 miles – 10 minutes) Vermillion River mouth. (20 miles – 35 minutes)
• Thompson Falls State Park: Located on the Clark Fork River with big trees, camping and picnic sites (3 miles - 7 minutes).
additional campgrounds
• Copper King Campground, USFS. On the Thompson River. Fishing access (8 miles - 16 minutes).
• Clark Memorial Campground, USFS. On Thompson River, with huge old cedar trees (10 miles – 20 minutes).
• West fork Fishtrap Creek Campground, USFS
• Willow Creek Campground, USFS. At the junction of Willow Creek and the Vermillion Rive (41 miles – 90 minutes).
• Birdland Bay Campground & RV Park, private ownership. On a beautiful bay on the Clark Fork River (4 miles – 8 minutes).
• Fishtrap Lake & Campground, USFS. A large and beautiful mountain lake with fishing and hiking (35 miles - 80 minutes).
What is the
Cube Iron-Cataract Coalition (CICC)
The CICC is a local group working to build community awareness and support for this special backcountry area. The area is anchored by the Cataract Roadless Area (RA) on the west and the Cube Iron and Sundance RAs on the east. We seek support for keeping this area the way it is today, for the use and enjoyment of future generations. Our group recommends no road closures and little or no change to existing uses in this area as defined in current land management plans. We support a wide range of activities on our public lands including active management, motorized recreation, trails for mountain biking, and protecting special areas of existing wild country. www.cubeironcataract.org
Priscilla Peak, 7005LookoutCube Iron Mountain, 7181
Slide Rock Mountain, 6455
Seven Point Mountain, 6660
Vermilion RiverRd #154
845
845
Bear C
r
National Forest Boundary
Inventoried Roadless Areas
Connecting Backcountry
Other National Forest Land
MWA, April 2018
Cataract-Deep Creek IRACataract-Deep Creek IRA
Cube Iron-Silcox IRACube Iron-Silcox IRA
Sundance Ridge IRASundance Ridge IRA
Vermilion Peak, 6700
Vermilion PassVermilion Pass
Cougar Peak Rd # 403
Graves Cr Rd # 367
Four Lakes Creek Rd # 7669Four Lakes Creek Rd # 7669
West Fork Fishtrap Rd # 7688
Rd #148
Rd #2232 Vermillion Falls
Rd #154
Willow CreekCampground
Rd #367
Rd #2207
Sylvan Lake
Rd #7675
W. Fork Fishtrap Campground
Fishtrap Campground
Rd #7593
Rd #516
Rd #516
TR #529 Rd #367
TR #528
Blue Slide Rd
WhitepineCreek Rd
Hwy 200
BeaverCreek Rd
Little Beaver Creek Rd
Deep Creek
Blue Slide Rd
Columbia Rd
Clear Cr Rd #153
Prospect Cr Rd
Hiwy 200
AshleyCr Rd
Ashley Cr
Weber Cr
TR #450Goat Lakes
Goat Cr
Thom
pson
Riv
er R
d #5
6
Copper KingCampground
Thompson River Rd #56
Clark MemorialCampground
Rd #56
Rd #7656
Deer Lake
Duckhead Lake
Arrowhead Lake
Cabin Lake
Frog Lake
Knowles Lake
GrassLake
PorcupineLake
Winnemuck Cr
Thorn Cr
Fishtrap Rd #516
Rd #56
TR #450
TR #433
Graves Cr Falls
Terrace Lake
TR#102
Stony Lake
Rd #7609
TR #433
Vermilion Peak, 6700
Graves Peak, 7050
Cougar Peak, 6694Lookout
Graves Cr Rd # 367
Graves Cr Falls
Marmot Peak, 7208
Mount Headley, 7429
West Fork Fishtrap Rd # 7688
Rd #7675
TR #528
Cabin Lake
TR #450
TR #433
Terrace Lake
TR#102
Stony Lake
Rd #7609
Slide Rock Mountain, 6455
Vermillion Falls
Rd #154
Willow CreekCampground
Rd #367
Rd #2207
Sylvan Lake
W. Fork Fishtrap Campground
Fishtrap Campground
Rd #7593
Rd #516
Rd #516
TR #529 Rd #367
Fishtrap Rd #516
Water Hill, 6111
Cataract Peak, 6205
Seven Point Mountain, 6660
Bear C
r
Cougar Peak Rd # 403
Blue Slide Rd
Deep Creek
Mount Silcox, 6854
Cube Iron Mountain, 7181
Weber Cr
TR #450Goat Lakes
Deer Lake
Duckhead Lake
Arrowhead Lake
Frog Lake
Knowles Lake
GrassLake
PorcupineLake
Winnemuck Cr
Thorn Cr
Columbia Rd
Ashley Cr
Goat Cr
Thom
pson
Riv
er R
d #5
6
Copper KingCampground
Thompson River Rd #56
Clark MemorialCampground
Rd #7656
Priscilla Peak, 7005Lookout
TR #433
Vermilion RiverRd #154
Rd #148
Rd #2232
Lakes
Streams and Creeks
Trails
Roads
Vermilion RiverVermilion River
Clark Fork River
Clark Fork River
Clark Fork River
Clark Fork River
One inch = .8 miles
West Fork Thompson River
Rd #603
West Fork Thompson River
Rd #603
See detailed directions to trailheads at cubeironcataract.org
Local Hiking Opportunities
Moderate Hikes
•Four Lakes Trail FS Trails #459 and #450. These lakes are gems surrounded by tall peaks. The trail is only a few miles, depending on how far you go, but it gains over 1500 feet in elevation.
•Big Spruce Creek FS Trail #1102 to Arrowhead Lake and possibly further on to Duck Head Lake.
•Vermillion Pass to Vermillion Peak. Mostly off-trail. Giant old spruce trees are scattered in this area. Expansive views from the top.
•Water Hill FS trail #845. Great views up and down the river, and also north and down into the wild Cataract Roadless Area.
•Winnimuck Trail FS Trail #506. A gentle grade up a heavily timbered creek bottom trail to a small lake.
Strenuous Hikes
•To Mount Silcox from Weber Gulch, FS Trail #450. Climb a prominent ridge trail through the woods. The view from Silcox takes in a great deal of the river valley.
•To Cube Iron Mountain from Four Lakes Trailhead. The top of Cube Iron features unique cube shaped rocks and expansive views, including down into the Four Lakes Basin.
•To Mount Headley from Vermillion Pass FS Trail #528. This is a little travelled trail into very wild country. Mt Headley is the tallest peak in the area.
•To Seven Point Mountain, FS Trail #847 up Cataract Creek, requires fording the Vermillion River. A long but gentle trail through a wild creek bottom and groves of giant white pine, hemlock and fir. From Seven Point Mountain you can see into what looks like it might be Canada.
•Sundance Ridge, FS Trail #433 to Priscilla Peak and the iconic PP Lookout. Great views along the trail and from the top.
THREE long ridge trails
Be aware that water is normally scarce on ridge trails and side trips may be needed to resupply.
Starting or ending at Sundance Ridge Trailhead, located way up the Thompson River and connecting to the Vermillion River, this long and winding route includes Priscilla Peak, Marmot Peak, Mt. Headley, Vermillion Peak, Slide Rock Peak, Cataract Peak, Water Hill and down to the trailhead for FS Trail #845 at the mouth of the Vermillion River. This route crosses only one road, Graves Creek road at the top of Vermillion Pass. About 42 miles.
Starting or ending at Weber Gulch Trailhead, take FS Trail #450 and head north to Mt. Silcox, Cube Iron Pass, and Mt. Headley. From Headley you can go west to Vermillion Peak, Slide Rock, Cataract, and Water Hill and then down to the mouth of the Vermillion. This route also only crosses one road - the same Graves Creek road at the top of Vermillion Pass. About 42 miles.
Also starting or ending at the Weber Gulch Trailhead and travelling north to Mt. Headley, you can then turn east and proceed to Marmot Peak, Priscilla Peak and the Sundance Trailhead. This route does not cross a single road. About 36 miles.
These three long, exhilarating and soul nourishing trails show, for those who travel them - and also for those who walk them on the map - how large, wild and precious this special backcountry area is. Let’s work together to keep it wild!
