Flathead-Kootenai Chapter

Northwestern Montana

The view from Stahl Peak Lookout in the Ten Lakes Wilderness Study Area (photo by Erin Clark)
The view from Stahl Peak Lookout in the Ten Lakes Wilderness Study Area (photo by Erin Clark)

About the Flathead-Kootenai Chapter

The Flathead-Kootenai Chapter supports Wild Montana’s mission by providing community outreach and education that inspire residents of Flathead, Lincoln, and Lake Counties to protect wild public lands and waters in the northwest part of the state, including the Cabinet Mountains, Scotchman Peaks, the Yaak, the Swan Range, and other landscapes.

Contact Us

The Flathead-Kootenai Chapter typically meets the third Tuesday evening of the month (September through June) in Kalispell. All are welcome! Email flathead.kootenai@wildmontana.org for more information on when and where we’re meeting this month.

How We Help Keep Montana Wild

By organizing community events

We organize a Wilderness Speaker Series at Flathead Valley Community College that runs February through April each year and host the wildly popular Winter Backcountry Film Festival in Whitefish, among other events.

By organizing a local stewardship program

We conduct day-long projects on local trails in the Kootenai and Flathead National Forests. Learn more about our stewardship work here.

Chapter Board

President: Chris Rost
Treasurer: Bret Luedke
Secretary: Leila Avery
Members: Andy Crites, Leila Avery, Laura Hutton, Katie Marsonette, Sheila Jefferson, Hans Castren, Jane Ellen Hamilton

Upcoming Events

Event Series Wilderness Speaker Series

Wilderness Speaker Series: Celebrating 20 Years of Artist Wilderness Connection in the Bob

Flathead Valley Community College 777 Grandview Dr., Kalispell

We hope you’ll join us at Flathead Valley Community College on Wednesday, April 17, for a panel discussion celebrating the 20th anniversary of Artist Wilderness Connection, a collaborative program between the Flathead National Forest, Hockaday Museum of Art, Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation and Swan Valley Connections.

Free

Earth Day Flathead River Cleanup

Marantette Park 133 13th St E, Columbia Falls

This year, Wild Montana is celebrating Earth Day with Flathead Rivers Alliance. Join us on Sunday, April 21, to clean up several fishing access sites along the Flathead River.

Free

Star Peak Viewpoint

Northwest Montana MT

NEAREST TOWN: HERON | DIFFICULTY: STRENUOUS
Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness is teaming up with Wild Montana to offer an early summer hike with big, sweeping views you normally wouldn't expect until July. We'll hike about halfway up Star Peak in the southern Scotchmans. It's a big climb, but lots of switchbacks keep the grade mellow and provide the excuse to pause for beautiful vistas of the Clark Fork Valley.

Free

Kootenai Country Wildflower ID

Northwest Montana MT

NEAREST TOWN: TROY | DIFFICULTY: MODERATE
Join us for a scenic hike along the Old Highway 2 trail to Shannon Lake. Our route features fantastic views of Kootenai Falls and the river valley. We'll stop to identify plants and wildflowers along the way, including several wildflower varieties near Shannon Lake that are harder to find without a steeper or longer hike. There is a short scramble up to the lake, but the trail is otherwise gradual and wide, with a few interpretive displays about the history of the old road and area. Spring is the best and most bountiful wildflower time along this accessible and enjoyable trail. We'll end early enough for participants to explore the adjacent Kootenai Falls and Swinging Bridge afterward if they want to.

Free

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