Kootenai National Forest, Montana: Webb Mountain Fire Lookout on the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

Matt and I are spending our summer vacation in northwest Montana’s Kootenai National Forest along the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail.

We spent four nights at Webb Mountain Fire Lookout above Lake Koocanusa. It was stormy and cold when we arrived, and the dramatic scene complete with this huge, vibrant rainbow won us over immediately.

The rest of our time at the Webb Mountain Fire Lookout had spectacular weather. We had 360° views (as you would expect from a fire lookout). We were surprised that the sunrise was around 5:30am and sunset was about 9:45. It stayed light out long past then, only starting to really get dark around 11pm. Then we were graced by a huge full moon that kept the skies lit all night long!

Boulder Mountain and Boulder Lakes are near the lookout. We hiked to a ridge above the lake to get a good view. The photographer is at work in the foreground.