Cabinet Divide Advanced

Description

For either Cabinet Divide loop, start at the Parmenter Creek Trailhead at the northeast corner, accessed from Highway 2 west of Libby via Cedar Creek Road, or at the Flower Creek/Sky Lakes/Parmenter Tie Trailhead at the southeast corner, accessed from Highway 2 south of Libby via Flower Lake Road. Travel clockwise or counterclockwise.

Cabinet Divide Advanced Loop, Flower Creek/Sky Lakes/Parmenter Tie Trailhead or Parmenter Creek Trailhead

- 28 miles, 8,000 ft climbing

- Kootenai National Forest, Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, Libby Ranger District

- Flower Creek Trail #137, Hanging Valley Trail #135, off-trail travel, Sky Lakes, Flower Creek, Dome Mountain Trail #360N, North Fork Parmenter Trail #139, Parmenter Creek Trail #140, Parmenter Tie Trail #15

This loop is mostly on clear trail maintained by local groups. As of July 2020, Parmenter Creek Trail had many blowdowns but was still passable. The pass between Sky Lakes and Hanging Valley is a steep Class 3 off-trail section. The route down to Flower Creek is also steep and primitive, but followable. Cedar Lake and the Cabinet Divide are beautiful. Snowbanks can linger through July, so traction is advised. Parmenter Tie Trail passes through lovely old-growth forest.