Double Arrow Lookout And Seeley Creek Nordic Ski Trails

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Double Arrow Lookout And Seeley Creek Nordic Ski Trails

In search of sufficient snow for skiing, Zosia Zgolak and I ventured to the community of Seeley Lake, Montana on 30 December 2024. From our online research, we had learned that nearby Seeley Creek Nordic Ski Trails had good conditions for cross-country skiing. While perusing maps of the surrounding area, we also discovered a fire lookout--Double Arrow Lookout--that looked promising as an easy ski objective. Uncertain about the condition of the lookout's access road, we decided to check it out first before going to the cross-country ski trail network.

From Highway 83 in Seeley Lake, turn west onto Riverview Drive 22.1 kilometres north of the junction with Highway 200 or 124.0 kilometres south of the junction with Highway 35. Drive 1.1 kilometres and cross a bridge over Clearwater River. Drive another 1.0 kilometre and park to the side of the road at a junction with Snowmass Drive which branches off to the right. Riverview Drive is not plowed beyond this junction, but it may be possible to continue driving further depending on road conditions and vehicle/driver capabilities.

Although I probably could have driven further up Riverview Drive, Zosia and I were content to start skiing from the junction since the snow coverage was already more than adequate. Someone else had recently driven on the road and left some convenient tracks to ski in which saved us from having to break trail. For the most part, we followed the continuation of Riverview Drive westward and kept right at all major junctions. There are occasional signs which help point the way to the lookout. Near the top, we started seeing some "No Trespassing" signs posted along the road as we presumably passed through a stretch of private property. In fact, the tire tracks we were skiing in led right to the entrance of some sort of residence. Staying on the road, we had to break trail the rest of the way to the top, but we did not have far to go and the snow was not too deep. Double Arrow Lookout is no longer an active fire lookout, but the tower has been converted into a rustic cabin that can be booked for overnight stays. There is even a convenient vault toilet nearby (bring toilet paper). Because the tower was deserted and locked up on this day, we were unable to climb onto the observation deck. Instead, we hunkered down beside a nearby rock for a short but pleasant break in the sun.

For our return, Zosia and I simply skied back the same way along the access road. One downhill section just below the private property had a few thin spots along the road, and we had to be extra cautious descending here. Otherwise, the rest of the ski back to our car was fairly quick and highly enjoyable.

	Zosia skis along the continuation of Riverview Drive which is not plowed beyond this point.
	Occasional signs help point the way to the lookout.
	The lookout is somewhere atop the hill at far right, but the road takes a longer and more gradual line of ascent around the backside.
	Zosia passes a locked gate just before the top.
	With Double Arrow Lookout locked up on this day, this is as far as Sonny can climb up. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia and Sonny stand at the site of Double Arrow Lookout (1504 metres) with Placid Lake visible in the distance.
	Here is a more complete view of Double Arrow Lookout.
	Zosia enjoys some powder skiing on her way back to the locked gate.
	Zosia skis cautiously down this section of road which has a few thin spots.
	Total Distance: 8.2 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 2 hours 42 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain: 260 metres GPX Data

After getting back to our car, Zosia and I drove back to the highway and proceeded directly to Seeley Creek Nordic Ski Trails. The 26-kilometre network of trails is groomed and maintained by volunteers from the Seeley Lake Nordic Club.

From Highway 83 in Seeley Lake, turn east onto Morrell Creek Road 24.1 kilometres north of the junction with Highway 200 or 122.0 kilometres south of the junction with Highway 35. Drive 1.7 kilometres and turn left into the trailhead parking lot.

Zosia and I basically skied a clockwise loop of most of the perimeter trails and those rated as "most difficult" which, in my opinion, were no worse than the "blue" trails in our home playground of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park (ie. no "killer hills"). On this day, most of the trails were groomed but not track-set, and while there were other skiers here, the trail network never felt busy. Admittedly, the groomed trails felt a little mundane after our outing to Double Arrow Lookout, and I also began to feel fatigued on the back half of our loop. Nevertheless, we enjoyed skiing the trails here, and for our hard work, we later rewarded ourselves with dinner at the Chick-fil-A in Missoula.

Should we go clockwise or counter-clockwise? Zosia studies the map at the trailhead for Seeley Creek Nordic Ski Trails.

All generally moderate (blue) by Peter Lougheed PP standards! Zosia ascends one of the many hills in the trail network.

The trail is called "Mountain View", but ironically, there aren't any! Zosia skis over the unremarkable high point (1332 metres) of the trail network.

Meh. I still prefer KFC's Big Crunch or Dairy Queen's chicken sandwich. Later in the evening, Sonny has dinner for the first time ever at Chick-fil-A.

Very nice skiing here. Thank you, Seeley Lake Nordic Club! Total Distance: 13.0 kilometres
Round-Trip Time: 2 hours 46 minutes
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 130 metres
GPX Data

	Zosia studies the map at the trailhead for Seeley Creek Nordic Ski Trails.
	Zosia ascends one of the many hills in the trail network.
	Zosia skis over the unremarkable high point (1332 metres) of the trail network.
	Later in the evening, Sonny has dinner for the first time ever at Chick-fil-A.
	Total Distance: 13.0 kilometres Round-Trip Time: 2 hours 46 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain: 130 metres GPX Data