The Beauty of Montana

We couldn't miss the Kootenai

Falls area ~ we came around the corner

(rock sided mountain on one side) and

saw the pullout area on the other side.  

The parking lot

had only a couple spaces available so we

parked.   There were quite a few people

around, some were getting coffee or

snacks at the little walk up counter. 

It was a hike through some very large

trees (may have been cedar trees) and 

then down towards the river over 

rocks and tree roots.

The water is so clear and blue.

We found the swinging bridge ~ it does

swing but they do have it tethered on

both sides so really not too bad.

This area was made Kootenai Falls County

Park in 1991.  It is just over 135 acres and

borders the river and goes down to the

swinging bridge.

Hubby checked out how the bridge

was built ~  I don't think the 

bridge is going anywhere!

Some visitors were there to fish, we 

heard them talking about it but didn't

see any fish.

We also didn't see any grizzly bears.

These visitors had crossed the bridge,

hiked down to the river and were

swimming or enjoying the water.

Next stop was the Libby Dam, we were too

late to visit the Visitor's Center but

we were able to check out the outside.

The dam is 422 feet tall holding back

90 miles of water in Lake Koocanusa.

The dam was dedicated in 1975.

This area appears to be quite a recreational

area, there were people fly fishing, there

were walking trails, benches etc. 

we did enjoy a little break here.

This was an unplanned area that was

recommended by the young gal at

the Tourist Info Center.  She recommended

that we take this drive and continue

along the Koocanusa Lake.

The drive was fabulous and much more

relaxed and  only a few people.