Kootenai Falls Trailhead
Troy, Lincoln County, Montana. Landmark, watchable wildlife.
Details
- Where
- US Hwy 2 mile marker 21, Troy, MT. Directions
- Getting there
- From Troy, travel east 6 miles on US Highway 2.
- Access
- The overpass exits onto a 3 tier metal staircase with 64 expanded metal steps. The overpass and stairs are not dog friendly.
- Phone
- 406-295-4693
- Managed by
- Kootenai National Forest.
- Established
- 1937.
Built by the Forest Service to access forest fires across the Kootenai River, this foot bridge was destroyed by a major flood in 1948. The bridge was rebuilt on concrete piers and is now protected from flooding by Libby Dam. Used for administrative purposes, it also offers a breathtaking view of the Kootenai River gorge directly below Kootenai Falls. It is at an elevation of 2,100 feet.
Notable Events
- 1800sDavid Thompson, a Canadian explorer and employee of the Northwest Company, traveled the Kootenai River region; he and his men portaged around the falls on a trail 300 feet above the river. fs.usda.gov
- 1808During the fur trade period, David Thompson and four other men in a large canoe put ashore in rains and high winds at the head of the falls. hmdb.org
- 1937The first bridge was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937 to improve access for fire fighting. fs.usda.gov
- 1948The bridge was destroyed by flooding in 1948. fs.usda.gov
- 1950sIn the 1950's, the bridge was rebuilt on concrete towers. fs.usda.gov
- 1951The original bridge was destroyed in a flood in 1948 and a new one was constructed three years later in 1951. flatheadbeacon.com
- 1968The bridge has since been rehabilitated three times, in 1968, 1993 and 2016. flatheadbeacon.com
- 1978A group of western Montana electric cooperatives applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a construction license for a dam and hydroelectric facility at the Falls. narf.org
- 1984Following a 13 week trial, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Judge Miller recommended denying the license. narf.org
- 1987The Commission unanimously denied the construction license, holding that construction would infringe upon the religious customs and beliefs of the Ktunaxa people and would change Kootenai Falls significantly and permanently. narf.org
- 1993The bridge was reconstructed on the existing cables and supports in 1993. fs.usda.gov
- 2016The bridge has since been rehabilitated three times, in 1968, 1993 and 2016. flatheadbeacon.com
- 2018In 2018 the Forest Service determined that reconstruction of the bridge would be necessary to improve public safety. fs.usda.gov
- 2019Wesslen Construction Inc. of Spokane, Washington began work on the new bridge on March 28; the new bridge would be built 15 feet upstream from the existing one. flatheadbeacon.com
People
- David Thompson, Canadian explorer and employee of the Northwest Company who portaged around the falls (early 1800's).
- Father Pierre DeSmet, Jesuit Missionary who explored the region and made an eight mile portage around the falls (1842 and 1847).
- Lawrence Kenmille, Montana Kootenai who spoke for protecting the falls against the dam proposal (1982).