Montana · Hiking

Cable Creek

6.4 mi
round trip
1,769 ft
climb
4,777 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Caution at last check

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 22 h ago

Is Cable Creek open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Kootenai National Forest. It doesn't name Cable Creek, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Kootenai National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Cable Creek is a hard hike in the Libby Ranger District of Montana's Kootenai National Forest, about 6.4 miles long and with a one-way elevation gain of 1,769 feet. It is an out-and-back route that climbs from a low point of about 3,664 feet to a high point of about 4,777 feet. The trail is a natural-surface route that allows both horses and bikes. The trip runs from June through October, and the Forest Service lists the trailhead as Cable Creek TH 821, which is the parking for the hike. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Libby run to highs around 78°F in July and August, with only about six wet days a month. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the climb run cooler. Nearby, McKay Mountain and Poorman Creek are both under 3 miles away. Howard Lake Campground is about 5.6 miles off, and Libby Creek offers canoeing about 6.5 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Cable Creek

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      30° / 15°

      14 wet · 12 snow

    2. Feb

      35° / 15°

      12 wet · 10 snow

    3. Mar

      43° / 22°

      13 wet · 10 snow

    4. Apr

      52° / 28°

      12 wet · 5 snow

    5. May

      62° / 34°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      69° / 39°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 42°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 40°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 34°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      52° / 27°

      11 wet · 3 snow

    11. Nov

      37° / 22°

      14 wet · 9 snow

    12. Dec

      29° / 15°

      15 wet · 13 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Libby 32 Sse, MT, 22.8 mi away at 3,440 ft. The station sits about 1,300 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.