From State Highway 37, turn west onto Koocanusa Bridge 85.6 kilometres east and north of Staff Sergeant Arthur J Rambo Memorial Bridge in Libby or 20.9 kilometres west and south of the junction with US Highway 93.  At the west end of the bridge, turn right onto National Forest (NF) road 92.  Drive 4.3 kilometres and turn left onto NF-337 (2WD gravel).  Drive 13.8 kilometres and turn left onto NF-7179.  Drive 5.2 kilometres to a 3-way junction.  Park here.  The gated road (NF-7179F) to the left leads to the top of Webb Mountain while the double trailhead for both Webb Mountain and Thirsty Mountain Trails (Pacific Northwest Trail) is about 40 metres further along the road (NF-1921) to the right.

Starting from the double trailhead, Zosia and I first headed west along the Pacific Northwest Trail (FT-436).  After going over a low bump, the trail climbs up the east side of Thirsty Mountain but ultimately veers southward without reaching the summit.  We had hoped to find a side trail or beaten path leading to the summit, but having no luck, we simply abandoned the trail and bushwhacked up the south ridge.  There was quite a lot of toothpick deadfall and even some surprising cliffs guarding the south ridge, but we had no problems surmounting these obstacles.  The viewless summit is completely choked by forest, and we only stopped long enough to quench our thirst before starting our descent.

Instead of backtracking along the south ridge, Zosia and I took a short cut down Thirsty Mountain's eastern slope.  The bushwhacking here was much lighter than the south ridge, and we had no trouble dropping down and regaining FT-436.  Turning left, we easily hiked back to the double trailhead.

	After enduring a lot of miserable bushwhacking the previous day, Sonny is relieved to find a good trail heading toward Thirsty Mountain. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia finds a spruce tree that is mimicking a golden larch.
	Going off-trail, Zosia works her way past some toothpick deadfall on the south ridge of Thirsty Mountain.
	Zosia climbs through a break in a surprising cliff band.
	Sonny stands atop the cliff band with Boulder Mountain visible on the horizon. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia hikes through more toothpick deadfall near the top of Thirsty Mountain.
	Zosia and Sonny raise their water bottles on the summit of Thirsty Mountain (1918 metres).
	The fire lookout tower on Webb Mountain is barely visible in the distance as Zosia hikes back to the trailhead.

A couple of spruce grouse chicks and the mother hen are startled by intruders.

 

Without stopping at the double trailhead, Zosia and I continued eastward along FT-436 to ascend Webb Mountain.  The pleasant trail runs parallel to the fire lookout tower access road (NF-7179F) and eventually joins it just below the top.  Disappointingly, far-reaching views from the fire lookout tower were obscured by wildfire haze which was not unexpected.  We were also joined at the top by a couple of hikers from Red Deer, Alberta, and we had a pleasant chat with them before settling down for a snack break.

For our return, Zosia and I simply walked down NF-7179F to our car parked near the double trailhead.  The ensuing long drive home was thankfully uneventful and neatly wrapped up another exhausting but memorable summer road trip.

	Zosia is happy to hike a good trail leading to the top of Webb Mountain.
	The trail runs past a rocky outcrop along the way to the top of Webb Mountain. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia approaches the fire lookout tower atop Webb Mountain.
	The view to the southeast includes a small bit of Lake Koocanusa.
	The fire lookout tower is available to rent for overnight stays. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

Sonny and Zosia rejoice near the summit of Webb Mountain (1830 metres).  Visible at right is Thirsty Mountain (in front of Boulder Mountain on the horizon).

 

Total Distance:  9.1 kilometres Round-Trip Time:  5 hours 5 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain:  299 metres GPX Data