Facility Details - BIG CREEK BALDY. LOOKOUT RENTAL, MT

Overview

Big Creek Baldy Lookout sits atop its namesake mountain at an elevation of 5,780 feet in the Kootenai National Forest. The lookout has been used as an observation point for spotting forest fires for over 60 years.

The lookout is typically open from June through September and is accessible by car. High clearance vehicles are recommended. This mountain hideaway offers some amenities, but guests should pack in some of their own supplies.

Natural Features:

The lookout is located in the Purcell Range of the Rocky Mountains and offers panoramic views of densely forested peaks. Lake Koocanusa and the Yaak River valley are prominent features of the landscape.

Kootenai National Forest supports populations of deer, elk, moose, grizzly and black bears, wolves and mountain lions (bear safety). A variety of smaller mammals and birds can also be found.

Recreation:

Hikers can find places to explore around the lookout, and the surrounding Libby Area offers more than 400 miles of summer use trails.

The lookout offers an ideal vantage point for star gazing on clear nights.

Facilities:

The lookout stands 51 feet tall and has a 225 square foot cabin, which is encircled by a catwalk. It sleeps 4 and comes furnished with 1 double bed and 1 twin bed, both with mattresses. Other amenities include propane lights, a stove, heater, shovel, fire extinguisher, cleaning supplies and cooking utensils.

An outhouse with vault toilet is located near the tower. A campfire ring is located outside, but firewood is not provided.

Water and electricity are not available. Guests must bring enough for drinking, cooking and washing.

Items such as cookware, bedding, lanterns or flashlights, matches, extra toilet paper, first aid supplies, trash bags, dish soap, towels and an ice chest are not available. Guests are expected to pack out their trash and clean the cabin before leaving.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Bed(s) With Mattress Berry Picking Birding Broom & Dust Pan Cabin Rentals Campfire Rings Cleaning Supplies Cooking Utensils Fire Extinguisher Hiking	Lookout Tower Propane Heat Propane Lights Propane Stove Snow shovel Star Gazing Trails Vault Toilets Wildlife Viewing

Know Before You Go

The lookout is secured with a combination lock; please call the Ranger District at (406) 293-7773 prior to arrival to confirm the combination
There is no water; guests must provide their own for drinking, cooking and washing
Open fire allowed inside fire ring unless fire restrictions in effect
Due to tower height, young children and pets are discouraged
Access depends on weather conditions
Please pack out all trash and food and clean cabin before departure
Learn more about the Kootenai National Forest

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
48.6375, -115.54444
48°38'15"N, 115°32'40"W

From Libby travel 1 mile north on Highway 37 to the Pipe Creek Road. Turn and follow for 19 miles, then turn east (right) onto East Fork Pipe Creek Road/Big Creek Baldy Road 336. Proceed about three quarters of a mile and then turn right onto Big Creek Baldy Mountain Road 309. Follow this road for 5 miles to the lookout. The last mile is fairly rough but can be negotiated with vehicles having high ground clearance.