Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A . C O M 17 e recently restored historic trail to STAR PEAK (aka Squaw Peak; the old appellation still appears in some maps and guidebooks), in the Scotchman Peaks- proposed wilderness area of the western Cabinets, isn't any eas- ier than its predecessor. It still gains about 4,000 feet of elevation in four relentless miles, but it's more visually appealing. And the destination still looks as grand as ever. Although the peak barely lunges past the 6,000-foot mark, it's high on vertical relief; Idaho's Lake Pend Oreille and its tributar- ies are almost directly beneath, over 4,000 feet below. From the active fire lookout on its summit, the peak boasts 360-degree views of the Bull River Valley, Lake Pend Oreille, and the two highest peaks in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, A Peak and Snowshoe Peak. Just below the lookout sits a century-old rock shelter and one of the best lee views in the region. From its trailhead on Highway 200 just west of Heron, the historic Star Peak trail — one of five that gains the summit of Star Peak — climbs 4,000 feet in 4.1 miles; it's not the steepest trail in the region, but it's close enough. However, because it's in the trees until just short of the top, the trail to Star Peak is relatively protected from ava- lanches. Pitch a four-season tent in the lee of the rock shelter for one of the region's best winter-camping experiences. DIRECTIONS: From Heron, drive west on Highway 200 2 miles to an unmarked, steeply ascending jeep road on the right side of the highway, directly opposite a large pullout. Park in the pullout, cross the highway, and ascend the jeep road .3 miles to the trailhead. A winter's evening illuminates Berray Mountain in the Cabinets. Bighorn sheep ewe on Berray Mountain in western Montana's Bull River valley. Members of the herd, which numbers about a hundred, like to congregate on Highway 56 in the winter and lick the salt-based de-icer off the highway. 3 CONTINUED

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