Log Bridge
One of three log "bridges" to cross Granite Creek. The last crossing must be forded (the water is fast and cold).
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Granite Lake Hike
Trip notes & photos from Bob Hosea’s hike into the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness
by Bob Hosea
June 27, 2010
Bob Hosea took a hike to Granite Lake in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness on Wednesday, June 23. Below is his trail report.
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To get to the Granite Lake trail #136, turn onto Shaugnessy road from U.S. Highway #2, which is on the south end of Libby. Next, turn left onto Snowshoe road and then right onto Flower Lake road, and finally left onto Granite Lake road. At the end of Granite Lake road there is a small dirt road #618. Drive a few miles on this road until you come to the parking area at the end
of the road. The trailhead sign for Granite Lake is not at the parking area. You will need to walk approximately 1/3 of a mile down an old road to get to it.
The trail to the lake is in great shape. However, there are many areas where water is running either across or down the trail. On the way to the lake you will have to cross Granite Creek four times. At three of the crossings there are logs that you can use to cross the creek. But, at the last crossing, near the lake, you will need to wade the creek.
The trail to the lake was incredibly green and there were many wildflowers along the way that included Trillium, Paint Brush, Sego Lily, false Miterwort, Davidson Penstemon, Queen's Cup, Nuttall's Pussytoes, Dwarf Hesperochiron, false Solomon's Seal and many, many others. There was even a large crop of wild celery along part of the trail, and I also saw some Coral mushrooms.
I didn't see any wildlife, but there were a lot of deer, moose and bear tracks on the trail. I also saw many snails and snakes along the trail. I didn't have any problems with biting bugs, but the entire trail is lined with Stinging Nettles.
I didn't see any other hikers on the trail, but there was one person who was camped at the lake. And, according to the sign-in cards at the trailhead, there had been two people who had hiked in the day before to Granite Creek falls.
The distance to the lake is 6.7 miles with an elevation gain of only 1400 feet. On the way in to the lake you will pass Granite Creek falls. It's only a couple of miles to the falls, and it's worth hiking in just to see it.
Click on this link for Bob’s YouTube video of this hike.
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Editor’s Note: Bob welcomes comments and questions from people about area hikes. He can be reached by e-mail at: hiking@thebobfactor.com
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