Trailhead: Whale Creek Road and North Fork Road
Access: ~12 miles via unplowed road
Whether you are looking for a winter backcountry escape to get some nordic or backcountry skiing in or just to enjoy the simplicity and silence of the remote parts of the Whitefish range, the Ninko Cabin is a great place to spend your time. The access to the cabin and most popular ski zones are highlighted below.
Access:
Snowmobiling is the easiest and quickest way to access the cabin, but many people will nordic ski pulling sleds in as well. It is all via road making it easy to navigate and efficient for traveling. Follow the North Fork Road about 45 miles north of Columbia falls to Whale Creek Road #318. Turn West on the road and you can park at the end of the plowing area and ride/ski in from there. Depending on the plowing and your trailer situation, it is about 7-9 miles to gated road #10832, which does have a sign (Ninko Cabin!) just before it. Follow this road for a little over 2 miles to the cabin.
Skiing Recommendations:
Touring in this area is similar to elsewhere in Northwest MT, the low elevation woods are THICK! I highly recommend sticking to any summer trail in the area to tour up to higher elevations ( where the snow increases and bush-whacking decreases. Here are a few great options on touring and you can select your lines you want to ski based on your abilities, the snowpack stability, and your group.
1) Mount Thompson-Seton
Following the summer trail head North of Ninko Cabin along Ninko Creek past Masonry Creek. Cross the creek at about 5600’ elevation and head east and after climing slightly in elevation you will get great views of the surrounding area. Continue skinning until you are ready to ascend Mount Thompson-Seton. Depending on snowpack there are multiple skiing options off of Mount Thompson-Seton of varying complexity. Ski down and connect back with your skin trail and on the exit it is advised to stay out of the creek bed, especially near the cabin as it gets very steep on both sides. With a short skin/hike back up to the summer trail after crossing the creek, you can ski back down to the cabin.
2) Slopes North of Cabin
Following the same summer trail as described above, you can go East at about 5600’ and stay in the trees to catch the ridge that is directly north of the cabin. You can follow the ridge as long or as short as you like and ski down the south facing slopes back to the road to the cabin. With this slope being south facing it can get solar radiation that increases avalanche danger but also keeps snow levels lower on this slope.
3) Inuya Creek + Whale Creek Drainages
If you have a sled you can expand your terrain choices around the cabin. Heading back to Whale Creek Road from the cabin and continuing on that road to the west will take you to a summer trail head that follows Whale Creek. Following this summer trail for a short bit will take you to the intersection of Whale Creek Trail and Inuya Creek Trail and following Inuya Creek Trail provides ample skiing opportunities for different levels. You can see on the map where you can catch the ridge at about 5500’ to skin up to an unnamed peak at 7020’. Alternatively, sticking to the Inuya Creek Trail you can head into the basin to the E of the trail for some more committing lines.
4) Hornet Lookout
Lower complexity terrain exists near the top of Hornet Lookout, if you have a snowmobile for access. Sled about 8 miles back to the Hornet Lookout Road and continue to the Lookout. Depending on snow and wind conditions for the season, you should be able to ride most of the way along the road. Some mellow (Still avalanche terrain) lines can be skied off of the peak of Hornet Mountain on the East faces or along the ridge to the SE back to the road where your sled is. If it is clear beautiful views of Glacier Park can be seen to the East.
