Get there: Approximately a 2-hour drive from Vancouver. The spur hike to the lake turns away many hikers because the trail can be hard to find at times and crosses a large boulder field. Follow Forest Service Road 561 for about 11.5 miles to the trailhead. How long: 2 hours or 3.4 km. Turquoise Lake - CANCELED. This was taken on an overnight trip to Turquoise Lake, a beautiful gem in the southern Mission Mountains of Montana. It is important to not drop down to Lace Lake but stay high, which will lead you to Turquoise Lake. Love this hike. The Goodwin Lake trailhead is relatively popular despite its remote location and the brutal dirt road in for the last mile or so. Consider camping a night or two: There are flat spots for tent sites and a few rock rings for fires. Also, be on the watch for a Billy Mountain Goat which came within 20 yards of our camp. Hiking Time: Roughly two-hours total, unless you … Note: there are no bikes allowed on this trail. A spot prized for its fishing, camping, and hiking, Turquoise Lake provides some of the most beautiful views on the Leadville Ranger District. The only difficult part is when you get to the lake and have to climb down to it. Turn west onto Kraft Creek Road at mile marker 37 (just south of Condon). Please explore responsibly! Hidden within Montana’s picturesque Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness lies Black Canyon Lake, an incredible turquoise glacial lake. Whether you hike in for the day, or backpack in for the night, make sure to take ample time to explore all of the area's alpine lakes. Cracker Lake is famous for its beautiful turquoise water color thanks to rock flour (silt) elements from Siyeh Glacier. This lovely small lake was created when the glacier started retreating, and it is often filled with large icebergs that have broken off from the glacier itself. Scale the scree fields on the South-shore of Turquoise to the small unnamed lake that contains icebergs for much of the year. The lake has incredible fishing and the hike is definitely one to remember. I also recommend bringing bear protection (there’s probably a reason it’s called Grizzly Basin). Sitting deep in the forest to the west of Leadville, Turquoise Lake takes its name from the Turquoise mines that produced the semiprecious stone in Leadville's not too distant past. */ Date of experience: February 2016 If you have time for only a hike or two this summer, Lake of the Hanging Glacier should, arguably, be at the top of your list. The same glaciers that created Glacier National Park also carved the landscape that we'll enjoy on this hike to Turquoise Lake. Beautiful, hard at parts, mostly moderate hike, but would definitely recommend. Directions: Travel along Montana Highway 83. Turquoise Lake is the last of six gorgeous lakes on this stunning six mile hike (one way) based in Montana's Swan Valley. The views are spectacular and the little lakes before the main attraction are beautiful. In the Swan Valley, head south on Highway 83. This trail is not meant for beginners -- it's lengthy, and you'll face an elevation gain of about 1,500 feet. Aug 15, 2013 - This Pin was discovered by Sunshine Bartlett. We'll set up camp along Granite Creek the first night, then make our way to beautiful Turquoise Lake on Day 2, where we'll spend two nights. We camped at Crescent and day-hiked to Turquoise, which I'm glad we did it that way this time of year. The scenery along the way is real nice. Glacier Lake occupies a vast cirque, the smooth granite shelves at the far end sheltering several high tarns; a trail that splits off from Glacier Lake’s approach goes to Turquoise, the largest of the pools. Owl Creek Cabin is a rustic, single-room dwelling that can accommodate up to four guests. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. called and asked if I'd like to go for a hike. Make sure to bring lots of water...much needed on a hot day, Date of experience: August 2019 For a challenging hike with few people, Black Canyon is for you. Best views we have had in the Flathead area. The spur hike to the lake turns away many hikers because the trail can be hard to find at times and crosses a large boulder field. There’s a nice campsite here too, but no fish. Your hard work will pay off when you dive into the icy waters aptly named for their turquoise color. Fairly easy to find the right lines, but was nice to be able to reference AT to make sure I was still heading the right direction. But be careful on the gravel path are some water evacuation channels which are quite deep, you should have no problem passing them if you go slowly. Be warned, the water looks inviting but is extremely cold. The Crescent Lake-High Lake Trail begins on the Specimen Creek Trail, 6.1 miles north of U.S. Highway 191, It starts with a steep 1000-foot climb through spruce-fir and lodgepole forests. The trailhead to Glacier Lake also serves as the trailhead for Crescent Lake, Heart Lake and Turquoise Lake. See more ideas about montana, montana attractions, travel. You can drive all the way up to the dam, which is a massive saving on your hike. called and asked if I'd like to go for a hike. It ends at a beautiful turquoise lake with view of huge peaks and a 1,000 foot waterfall. To Flathead and Swan Valley locals, Turquoise Lake is regarded as an all-time favorite spot, and for good reason. So beautiful!!! A hike through dense forest along a creek to turquoise Grinnell Lake in a towering glacial cirque. There is a stream several miles into the hike and a small lake nicknamed … Top Montana Hiking Trails: See reviews and photos of hiking trails in Montana, United States on Tripadvisor. The trail down to the lake basin then has some lingering large but passable snow crossings and then does a steep drop to the basin (meaning a steep climb out of the basin). If you don’t mind multiple piles of human poop with toilet paper smashed on top of it then you may enjoy the trail. Cracker Lake Trailhead, Glacier National Park, MT. Turquoise Lake is one of Montana's true hidden gems, located on the western edge of the Mission Mountain Wilderness near the town of Condon. ROUND-TRIP: 12.2 miles PERMIT: Turquoise Lake is on tribal lands. Decently challenging backpacking hike up to the lake. Turquoise Lake is displayed on the Gray Wolf Lake USGS quad topo map. The same glaciers that created Glacier National Park also carved the landscape that we'll enjoy on this hike to Turquoise Lake. Follow #690 3 miles to Turquoise Lake trail #708. Rocks at the top were not hard to navigate. Pushed it too hard and had severe cramping. Llamas also … Probably one of my favorite hikes! On Sept. 3 of 1929, Bob Marshall hiked in Montana’s Mission Mountains. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. “ The Lake Fork Trail offers several excellent forest trails in the mountains very near Red Lodge, MT, including the main trail along a scenic river. Amazing hike. Originating just 45 minutes from Jackson Hole, our hike takes us up majestic Granite Creek, where we'll soak up incredible views of the high country. Also saw a used tampon in a bush near the lake. you walk down a couple large rocks, catch another piece of trail, then walk down some more rocks and so on for maybe the last mile. … Montana (MT) Glacier National Park ; Glacier National Park - Things to Do ; Cracker Lake Hike; Search. Be careful as some of them may be pooping on the ground or chucking garbage into the woods. Set up basecamp lakeside (there are several campsites; you can’t go wrong) after a 6.4-mile hike, and—if you can tear yourself away from the unobstructed, cast-friendly shore—explore some of the Missions’ highest glacial cirques. For the adventurous, however, Black Canyon Lake can easily become an unforgettable experience. Lovely hike with a light incline following a rushing creek over rocks and lovely landscape. Turquoise Lake is found on the eastern side of the Mission Mountain Wilderness. This part is s scramble. It took my group about 7 hours and we clocked in at 13 miles all around. /* [1], Rock an Cracker Lake Hike. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Started late. A trio of sedimentary peaksstands guard over Turquoise Lake’s expansive waters and long shorelines as though to keep them hidden. It felt more like a moderate hike until the last two miles which I think make the rating hard due to the rock faces and terrain. Ho... Overview No matter: with its short length, the hike to Glacier Lake is better suited to a day of picnicking … The elevation change wasn’t much so it would be a steady but long trail. From Hwy 83 in the Swan Valley, south of mile marker 38, turn west onto Kraft Creek Rd also called Forest Service Road #561, the trailhead is about 11.5 miles at the end of the road. “ Go early and enjoy a Moderate walk along a singing creek for 3-3.5 miles , up to Broadwater. Turquoise Lake - CANCELED. Stats. Total hiking distance to Turquoise lake is 6.1 miles one way with an elevation gain of roughly 1,500 feet. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Turquoise Lake is a stunning gem in the southern Mission Mountain Wilderness in Montana. Takes your breath away at first, but you'll get used to it. Horse campers enjoy the Owl Creek expe... Overview Turn west onto Kraft Creek Road at mile marker 37 (just south of Condon). Cory, Brian, and Terry venture out on a day hike to Turquoise Lake and Glacier Lake on the east side of the Mission Mountains in western Montana. The trail is well-maintained though and there are many switchbacks, making the grade so gentle the climb is barely noticed. Directions: Travel along Montana Highway 83. Turquoise Lake is found on the eastern side of the Mission Mountain Wilderness. Stats 10 miles roundtrip 1,500 vertical feet Exposure: 20% Turquoise Lake Elevation: 6,550' Trailhead Drive towards the town of Condon, MT This one is for all that love the turquoise blue of a mountain lake. Massive saving on your adventures and follow local regulations you 'll face an elevation gain of about 1,500 feet waterfall... Signs towards the Lodge the melt-off, stream crossings, and trails are all very well throughout! 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