Cabinet Mountains, Daytrip, Dogs, Easy, Grove, Hikers, Hiking, Kootenai National Forest, Lollipop, None required, Scenic Area

Ross Creek Cedars Loop

Posted by Markus Klaeui on
Sheltered from fire and wind for hundreds of years, and save from loggers since 1960, Ross Creek Cedars showcases ancient western red cedar growing in a rainforest-like setting. A level path meanders for a mile among the giants. Many specimens exceed 10 feet in diameter and reach nearly 200 feet into the sky. Informative signs explain the ecology and history of the grove.
Location
  • Cabinet Mountains
Rating
2.6 out of 5
Difficulty
Easy (wheelchair accessible)
Distance
1.1 miles
Duration
0:27 hours moving time (Hiking)
Elevation Gain
202 feet
High Point
2,969 feet
Low Point
2,815 feet
Features
  • Grove
    • Outing Type
  • Daytrip
    • Trail Type
  • Lollipop
    • Trailbed
    gravel
    Trail#
    142, 405
    Water
  • Ross Creek (cross the bridge behind the picnic area to get to the creek)
    • Camping
    • None available (nearest campground is Bad Medicine), but there is a picnic area and vault toilets
    Conditions
    • Great
    Administration
  • Kootenai National Forest
    • Status
  • Scenic Area
    • Maps
    USGS
  • Sawtooth Mountain
    • Fees & Permits
  • None required
    • ()
    Open To
  • Hikers
  • Dogs
    • (Dogs must be leashed)
    Directions
  • At the south end of Bull Lake, turn west onto NF-398 off of MT-56, about 20 miles south of Troy. It is signed Ross Creek. Follow the road for 4 miles to the trailhead. About a mile in make sure to turn sharply left to stay on NF-398 instead of going to the Bad Medicine campground. The road is blacktopped single-lane with turnouts. There is parking for probably two dozen cars, but may well be full as this is a very popular site.
    • Season
    Year-around, but the access road is closed for skiing during the winter months (December onward)
    Resources
      Date
      September 27, 2020

      The picnic area and access to Ross Creek is at the eastern end of the parking area, while the trail starts at the western end. Once on the trail, you’ll see magnificent ancient cedars practically at every step and they only get larger and mightier as the trail progresses through this 100-acre scenic area. Not quite a half mile in, the trail splits into a loop and it really doesn’t matter which way you go. Have fun!

      Alternate Routes

        Things to Consider

          Not so great

            Naughty posing next to one of many giant cedars
            Some cedars are dead, but the stumps remain for decades
            A burnt stump
            The inside of the burnt stomp
            A fallen giant
            Many of the trees are hundreds of years old
            This tree fell across a park bench and barely nicked it
            Cedar, cedar, and more cedar
            The trail is well maintained
            Picnic area
            Ross Creek
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