Winter Recreation Clearwater National Forest

Musselshell Meadows Cross Country Skiing
The Musselshell area (see map Musselshell Skiing 54KB pdf) is not groomed or patrolled. Stumps, rocks and other obstructions are sometimes present. Ski under control.

All trails are of easy-to-moderate difficulty but may have short, steep pitches. Traversing around the meadows north of the parking area is an easy ski. Match the trail difficulty and length of trip to your physical condition and ability. Be physically fit; top physical condition may be required to walk out if equipment fails. Know storm warnings. Mountain weather is unpredictable. Pay attention to reports and changing conditions. "Reassurance" signs, also called "confidence markers," display blue diamonds and mark the ski trail. Be aware of moose and elk in the area, especially on south-facing slopes where the animals bed down. The Musselshell area is closed to snowmobiles during the winter months because of concerns for big game.

Note: The road to the Musselshell ski area is plowed only when logging is going on in the area and the plowed road is needed to haul logs and move equipment. Logging operations do not necessarily go on in the area every winter. Therefore, access to the Musselshell area for cross country skiing may not be available every winter. Call Tim Lewis at 1-208-464-1269 for more information.

Pierce Area Snowmobiling
Nearly 450 miles of snowmobile trails await the winter sport’s enthusiast to the Pierce, Idaho, area.

The trail locations can be seen on the Pierce area map. (244K pdf) or the detailed map (36x24" - 7.6 mb)You can find out which trails have been groomed recently and which are scheduled for grooming in the near future by contacting the offices below. Maps and information are also available at the Outback Bed and Breakfast and Pierce Mini Mart in Pierce; and Mountain Motor Sports in Orofino.

Money needed to groom the trails comes from snowmobile registration fees paid by registrants in Idaho Parks and Recreation’s Unit 18.  (Idaho State law requires owners to register their snowmobiles.)  The Ridgerunners Snowmobile Club maintains the trails, and representatives from the Clearwater National Forest, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Potlatch Corporation and the Clearwater County Snowmobile Advisory Committee work together to manage them.

Be cautious on the trails. Conditions change with weather and other influences. You may come across trails not maintained, marked or groomed.  Keep in mind that all routes accommodate two-way traffic.  For your safety, some trailheads may be relocated because of logging in the area. You can rent Walde Cabin, 19 air miles southeast of Pierce, for overnight trips.  Call the Kooskia Ranger Station at 208-926-4275 for information.  Contact: Clearwater National Forest at 208-476-4541 or Pierce City Hall at 208-464-2222 for additional information.

Powell Area Cross-Country Skiing and Snowmobiling

In conjunction with the states of Montana and Idaho, the Clearwater National Forest is proud to operate the Lolo Pass visitor center. Constructed in 2002, thefacility is not only a recreational destination for winter sports enthusiasts, but also doubles as a rest area at the Montana/ Idaho border along Highway 12. The facility includes an interpretive center, warming hut, 24-hour restroom, snowmobile parking lot, parking for other recreationists, and a 30-minute outer parking lot for larger commercial vehicles and other rest stop vehicles.

Lolo Pass Visitor Center

You will find cross-country ski and snowmobile trails as well as a snowshoe trail for your winter recreation enjoyment. While recreating you can stop in the warming hut for a cup of hot chocolate, tea or coffee in front of a comforting warm fire.

There are Lolo Pass items and books for sale and a number of new interpretive displays.

For current Lolo Pass conditions please call 208-942-1234.

When on a trail please remember to move to the right when you meet others. Yield to faster skiers, skiers coming downhill and snowmobiles. Snowmobilers, remember to use caution with speed on shared trails. Do not run over trees since broken tops cause major tree health problems. Remember to pack-it-in / pack-it-out to keep the area clean.

Warming Hut

Maps of the Lolo Pass area and surrounding snowmobile routes are available at the Visitor Center and at Powell Ranger Station, 12 miles west, on Highway 12. The Powell Ranger District phone number is 208-942-3113.

Cross-country ski, snowmobile and snowshoe trails:

§         Glade Creek loop – Ski, 1.2 miles, easiest, 1 hour, groomed on weekends

§         Packer Meadows loop – Ski, 6 miles, more difficult, 3-4 hours, groomed on weekends

§         Pack Creek – Ski and snowmobile, 8 miles, more difficult, 4-5 hours, not groomed

§         Moose Ridge loop – Ski and snowmobile, 14 miles, most difficult, 5 hours, groomed for snowmobiles

§         Granite Pass – Ski and snowmobile, 5.5 miles, more difficult, 5-6 hours, groomed for snowmobiles

§         You’ll find a snowshoe trail near Pack Creek Trail.

Additional groomed snowmobile routes:

§         Pack Creek to Beaver Ridge to Lochsa Lodge

§         Granite Pass to Fox Creek

§         Upper Shotgun to Parachute back to Lochsa Lodge.

Parking, regulations, hazards:

Buy your required parking permit at the pass ($5 for the day, $20 for the season). Don’t make the mistake of parking along U.S. Highway 12 or within the outer 30 minute parking lot if you are recreating for the day. (It’s against the law.)

Watch for congestion in the parking area and at the takeoff point for skiers and snowmobilers. Drive snowmobiles slowly in the parking area. Do not operate snowmobiles near the visitor center or warming hut. Stay on groomed snowmobile trails. Keep dogs out of the parking area, visitor center area and any groomed trails or areas.

Check for any logging activity before entering Plum Creek Timber Co. land by calling the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (406-542-5500).

Be aware of local weather changes and warnings. Conditions can change quickly. Contact the West Central Montana Avalanche Center for information on the web or by phone (406-329-3750). You can also check out the daily weather at the Lolo Pass NOAA website and with the Idaho Transportation Department .

The nearest phone to Lolo Pass is at Lolo Hot Springs, 7 miles east of the pass on U.S. Highway 12.

Palouse Winter Recreation
You can cross-country ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile on the Palouse Ranger District of the Clearwater National Forest. Cross-country Nordic ski trails range from easy to more difficult at the two ski areas.  The area near Elk River is 53 miles east of Moscow, Idaho, and the Palouse Divide area is 42 miles north of Moscow.  Many (but not all) of the trails are groomed weekly.  You can enjoy snowshoeing on these trails, too.

Please remember to keep your dogs off groomed trails and run them in other areas instead. The 50-mile snowmobile trail system near Elk River follows Forest Service roads.  It is groomed intermittently and ranges in elevation from 2800-6000 feet. Parking areas at Elk River and the Palouse Divide are plowed as needed. Please refer to the Palouse Winter Recreation (169K PDF) brochure for more information. You need an Idaho Park ‘n Ski sticker on your vehicle to park at either area.  You can buy your sticker at the Potlatch Ranger Station (1700 Highway 6 in Potlatch – or at any one of the following Idaho businesses:

 

P.S. Espresso and More 150 6th St. Potlatch (208)875-0235	Hyperspud Sports 402 South Main Moscow (208)883-1150
Country Gas Mart 2797A Highway 6 Princeton (208)875-8906	Northwestern Mountain Sports 1016 Pullman Road Moscow (208)882-0133
Cross Roads Convenience Stores Exxon Station Junction of Hwy8 and Hwy 3 Deary (208)877-1606	Elk River Cafe 101 1st St. Elk River (208)826-3398

Call the Palouse Ranger District office in Potlatch for more information – (208)875-1131 – or refer to the “Winter Recreation Guide.”

Snow Information

Idaho SNOTEL Site Map - Map with links to snow survey sites in Idaho.
Idaho Department of Transportation Weather (Includes link to Lolo Pass web cam)

Musselshell

Pierce

Powell

Palouse

Snow Info