Fortine

Ant Flat, one of the first Ranger Stations on the Kootenai Forest, was recently converted into an environmental education center. Ant Flat Nature Trail (348) leads to a viewing platform allowing visitors to see a marshland ecosystem.

The lower 2 miles of Basin Creek provides fair fishing for eastern brook trout. The surrounding area has been logged repeatedly since the early 1990s. Elevation 4,700 feet.

Birch Creek Ski Trail is intermittently groomed and provides an opportunity for the cross-country skier to easily access the foothills of the Ten Lakes Scenic Area. There are several marked trails varying in skill levels.

Access to the creek is by foot travel only. Brush, windfalls, and a rocky channel make the stream hard to fish. Rainbow and cutthroat trout are the resident species. For overnight use, dispersed camp sites are located in this area.

Most of Blue Sky Trail (74) is actually an old road; walking is easy except for the portion after the road ends. It follows along Blue Sky Creek in an area fairly heavily populated by elk and deer as well as some grizzly bears.

Bluebird Basin Trail (83) is a nice hike for the family through lush forests and alpine meadows. Hikers especially enjoy Paradise and Bluebird Lakes, as well as the ridge lines.

This creek provides fair fishing for pan-sized cutthroat trout. Fishing is only available from Wigwam Creek for 2.4 miles; above that, the creek is too small to support fish.

The hike along the Clarence-Rich Creek Trail (78) will take the traveler into some fantastic huckleberry country. Although there is broken timber, with heavy timber at the ridgetop up to Rich Creek, panoramic views of the surrounding area will leave a lasting impression on the hiker.

Only the lower mile of the creek provides fair fishing for eastern brook trout. The area has been logged repeatedly since the early 1900s.

Davis Mountain Trail (212) has not been maintained for several years, and harvesting adjacent to and including the trail system has been fairly extensive. Following the trail should be attempted only by those very experienced in off-trail travel.

The first 3 miles of the stream is on private land where permission from the landowners should be obtained prior to fishing. On National Forest land fishing is fair for cutthroat and eastern brook trout.

Deep Creek Ski Trail provides a pleasant tour through good wildlife habitat. The lower part of the road climbs gently and passes through an open forest of big larch and Douglas fir.

Deep Creek Trail (311) is a gently sloping trail which climbs above the north side of Deep Creek to Locke Ridge. It is an easy hike that should only take a few hours. There are three small lakes below the ridge on the east side.

Easily accessible on foot and close to US Highway 93. The stream provides fair fishing for eastern brook trout. Four miles south of Murphy Lake Ranger Station, is Dickey Lake. There are two campgrounds at Dickey Lake and the lake is used for a variety of recreational purposes.

In addition to a boat launch and fishing, this site offers excellent opportunities for waterfowl and wildlife viewing. Facilities include a public toilet, water, and parking.

Dickey Lake-Mt. Marston Trail (361) offers a day hike to Mt. Marston. The hike is fairly gradual and winds over forested ridges. Wildlife abounds so hunting is a main attraction in the fall. Two additional trails climb up to Mt. Marston; an alternate route may be taken down if desired.

Edna Creek offers fair-to-good fishing for eastern brook, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. Approximately 3 miles of the creek flows through private land and it is recommended that permission be obtained from landowners.