Distinctly Montana Magazine
Issue link: https://digital.distinctlymontana.com/i/1347595
D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 92 G E T T O K N O W A C O U N T Y L I N C O L N C O U N T Y A LAND OF GREAT CONTRASTS, LINCOLN COUNTY IS THE LOCATION OF THE LOWEST POINT IN MONTANA. The Koote- nai River flows across the state line into Idaho at an elevation of 1,820 feet. But as the Kootenai River cut its canyon between the Percell Mountains (shown as Purcell on Canadian maps) to the north and the Cabinet Mountains to the south, the view is almost disorienting; it is hard to feature being at Montana's lowest point when you're surrounded by mountains rising 5,000 to 6,000 feet above you. The normal "Lincoln County" highway signs have been supplemented by special signage on Montana Highway 56 and U.S. Highways 2 and 93. On all three roads you'll see paired signs. The one on 56 tells you that Troy is "Lowest in Elevation/ Highest in Recreation." And recreation is big in Lincoln County. The Kootenai, Yaak, and Fisher Rivers all offer plenty of fishing opportunities. And Lincoln County's lakes offer camp- ing, boating, and swimming as well as fishing. From Bull Lake in the southwest to the Thompson Chain of Lakes strung out along U.S. Highway 2, all have camp- grounds and boat ramps. Lake Koocanusa, the reservoir behind Libby Dam, stretches over ninety miles across both Lincoln County and southeastern British Colum- bia. The name of the lake is made from the first three letters of KOOtenai CANada and USA—hence Koocanusa. Lincoln County has over fifty hiking trails, including a portion of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail. There are numerous ski trails and even a volun- teer-run downhill ski area, Turner Moun- tain, just 22 miles north of Libby. Libby, Lincoln County's largest city and the County Seat, is known as the City of Eagles. As you drive around town you can't miss the metal sculptures that range article and photos by BRYAN SPELLMAN LIBBY LINCOLN COUNTY HAS OVER FIFTY HIKING TRAILS, INCLUDING A PORTION OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL.