Gates now open to scenic SKQ Overlook

The gates to the SKQ Overlook opened April 15 and will remain open in the morning and close at sunset until Oct. 15.

The scenic walk has attracted school tours, local recreationalists, tourists, and various visitors for years. Each spring the gates swing open to allow sightseers to make a short drive to a parking area above a walking trail that leads down to the observatory that provides breathtaking views of Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ (SKQ) Dam.

The experience was upgraded last August when Phase One of the Overlook Rehab Project was completed with fresh updates. The aging wooden steps were removed and replaced with stone steps. The work was completed by Appelt Hauling and Landscaping in Polson, which installed each of the 288 Argillite stones weighing between 450 and 900 pounds.

Phase Two will be dedicated to enhancing the site’s inclusivity and richness by updating seating options and adding signage that offers an immersive history of the facility presented from a tribal perspective. To honor the dam’s history, a memorial will be added to celebrate both the tribal members who played a pivotal role in building the dam and those individuals who tragically lost their lives during its construction in the 1930s.

The second phase will also include the addition of handicap access down to the first landing.

Energy Keepers, which operates the dam for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, reminds visitors that the hike is not for everyone. “It is strenuous, the steps are rustic and there is loose gravel in some areas,” advise dam operators. “Please use caution when navigating the steps in this rugged area. Stay safe and enjoy the new stair experience.”

Please follow the posted gate hours and remain in the designated areas. For more details, email information@energykeepersinc.com or visit the news section on the Energy Keepers Facebook page for updates.