The Ibex Lake Trail in the Cabinet Mountains of Montana

10 Great Hikes in Montana
Ibex Lake Trail

The trail to Ibex Lake is little used but holds a true treasure at its end. The lake sets in a high mountain basin surrounded by tall rocky mountains and blue sky. One of the reasons this trail is little used is the trail is 6 miles long and gains an elevation of 2,700 ft. It is also seldom maintained and there is a serious river ford to cross. But hey if it were easy everyone would be here and one of the reasons we hike is for solitude. At the end of the day this place is just plain stunning.

Getting There: If you are coming from Sandpoint Idaho take state route 200 east to Montana SR56 just past the Idaho/Montana border. Go North on SR56 about 16 miles , then take the South Fork Bull River Road (FR410) east. After about 2 miles take FR2722 left. About a 1/2 mile in hang right on the road and in another 1/4 mile take a right on a primitive road a couple 100 yards, there you will find the trailhead for the Middle Fork Bull River Trail #978. Happy trails!!

Location: Cabinet Mountains, Kootenai National Forest
Trailhead: Middle Fork Bull River Trail
Elevation: 5,170 ft
Trail Length: 12 Miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,700 ft
Maps: USGS Ibex Peak, USFS Cabinet Mountains Wilderness
Pictures: Cabinet Mountains
Closest Town: Libby
Lakes in the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness..Here

Forest Information:
Libby Ranger District, Canoe Gulch Ranger Station
12557 MT Hwy 37
Libby, MT 59923- 8212
(406) 293-7773

Lodging at Libby

Caboose Motel and Sportsman's Information Center
714 West 9th Street
Libby, MT 59923
1-800-627-0206 · 1-800-627-0206

Dirty Shame Saloon & Cabins
29453 Yaak River Road
Troy, MT 59935
(406) 295-5439

Evergreen Motel
808 Mineral Ave
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-4178

Koocanusa Resort & Marina
23911 Hwy. 37
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-7474

Moose Ridge Bed & Breakfast & Cabins
46833 Hwy 2
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-3960

Sandman Motel
688 Hwy. 2, West
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-8831

Sandman Motel Down Under
919 Mineral Ave
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-7795

The Huckleberry House, B & B of Libby
1004 Main Ave
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-9720

Venture Inn
443 Hwy. 2, West
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-7711

Woodland RV Park
275 Woodland Rd
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-8395

Dining at Libby

Crosscut Casino
812 West 9th
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-8700

Dirty Shame Saloon & Cabins
29453 Yaak River Road
Troy, MT 59935
(406) 295-5439

Fiesta Bonita Mexican Restaurant
30270 US Hwy 2
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-6687

Helen's Tequilas, Inc.
PO Box 907
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-8288

Henry's Restaurant
409 West 9th Street
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-7911

Pizza Hut
903 California Ave
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-7744

Red Dog Saloon
6788 Pipe Creek Rd
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-8347

Subway
820 Mineral Ave
LIBBY, MT 59923
(406) 293-3203

Torgy's Casino
405 East 9th Street · Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-4247

Outdoor Equipment in Libby

Libby Sports Center
204 West 9th Stree
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-4641

Kootenai Angler
13546 MT HWY 37
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-7578