Spotted Bear cabin may be up for rent

The Spotted Bear Ranger District is proposing an addition to the Flathead National Forest's cabin rental program.

The district is seeking initial public comment on the proposal to rent the Silvertip Cabin, located about 1.5 miles from the end of the Spotted Bear River Road.

The cabin was built immediately after the 1964 flood, which destroyed the nearby Limestone Cabin.

The cabin's accessibility varies by season. During July and August, vehicles can be driven to the end of the Spotted Bear River Road and the cabin can be reached by horse or hiking 1 1/2 miles.

From September through November and May 15 through June, vehicles can be driven as far as the Beaver Creek Campground, leaving 5 1/2 miles of hiking or horseback riding to reach the cabin.

The entire Spotted Bear River drainage is closed to all motorized use from December through May 14.

The Silvertip cabin, used for Forest Service administrative purposes, includes an outhouse and a barn.

Forest Service officials anticipate the cabin would be attractive to some for its remoteness, for fishing the Spotted Bear River or Blue Lakes, exploring a cave system in the area, or hiking to Dean Falls and other destinations in the Great Bear and Bob Marshall wilderness areas.

The Flathead Forest's cabin rental program started with the opening of Schnaus Cabin in the North Fork Flathead Valley in 1991. Since then, 10 other cabins have been opened to public use, with varying rental seasons.

Seven cabins are available through the Hungry Horse Ranger Station, while three are available through the Swan Lake Ranger Station and one through the Tally Lake Ranger District.

Silvertip is the first cabin to be proposed for use on the more remote Spotted Bear Ranger District.

Hungry Horse District Ranger Jimmy DeHerrera said more cabins are under consideration for addition to the forest's rental program.

An assessment for the Wurtz Homestead in the North Fork area is being developed and the forest will soon be looking for public comments on that proposal, he said.

DeHerrera speculated the Forest Service cabins at Anna and Betty Creek along Hungry Horse Reservoir will eventually be proposed for the rental program.

Those who want to comment on the Silvertip Cabin proposal should contact Nate Gassmann at 387-3800.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com