Hiking around Flathead Lake

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Cedar Lake Trail #738.

Cedar Lake Trail
Cedar Lake Trail

The Cedar Lake Trail is 7.9 miles long. It begins at end of Road #10381 (seasonally open from 6/15-3/31) and ends at the junction with the Piper Creek trail #119 which continues to Piper Lake.

The whole trail from portal to portal is 13 miles and climbs up to 6880 feet in elevation. Most of this trail is in Wilderness and so is open for the following uses: hiking and horseback riding.

Cedar Lake Trail

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Cedar Lake Trail in Montana is a scenic and challenging hiking route located in the Mission Mountains Wilderness near Polson. This 7.9-mile trail leads hikers through dense pine forests, past unnamed lakes, and up switchbacks before reaching Cedar Lake, a stunning alpine lake surrounded by rugged terrain.

The trail gains 1,910 feet in elevation, making it a moderately difficult hike, and is known for its wildflowers, wildlife, and breathtaking views. Hikers should be prepared for grizzly and black bear territory, so carrying bear spray is highly recommended.

Cedar Lake Trail near Bigfork, Montana, is a challenging yet rewarding hike in the Mission Mountains Wilderness. This 7.9-mile out-and-back trail features 1,910 feet of elevation gain and takes around 4 to 6  hours to complete.

The trail begins at the end of Forest Service Road #10381, which is seasonally open from June 15 to March 31. The route winds through dense pine forests, past unnamed lakes, and up steep switchbacks before reaching Cedar Lake, a stunning alpine lake surrounded by rugged terrain.

Hikers should be prepared for grizzly and black bear territory, so carrying bear spray is highly recommended. The trail is known for its wildflowers, wildlife, and breathtaking views, but it can be overgrown in some sections.

Another Hiking Video from Go Hike With Mike.

Thank you for enjoying this hiking video with Mike. Hope to see you on the trail soon.

Please enjoy this Hiking Video:

See you on the Trail

The Go Hike with Mike Trail Guide contains information about camping & hiking around Flathead Lake.   Mike has been hiking, wandering, hunting and spending time in these woods for more then 20 years.  The Go Hike with Mike Trail Guide contains most every trail head around Flathead Lake.  The guide includes trails as far north as Polebridge.  It also contains the Hungry Horse recreation area, the Swan Front and Swan Valley to the east.  To the north the guide contains trail head and campground information around Tally Lake.

Don’t need the hiking guide, just some basic trail information, do not fret.  Mike has included some beginner to medium hikes on this website.  Depending on were you as staying there is most likely a trail head near you. Thanks for visiting, hope to see you on the trail.

190 pages packed with trailheads, camping spots, and local information around Flathead Lake.

PURCHASE THE GO HIKE WITH MIKE TRAIL GUIDE

Public and Private campgrounds and lodging around Flathead Lake. Also includes public and private campgrounds in all ranger districts around Flathead Lake.

Another Flathead Lake Video

How to Purchase Montana’s Flathead Lake Guide.

At $6.99 the Vacation Guide Download costs less then a Subway® sandwich you can buy in Bigfork or Polson. So this will insure you have the information you need to have a Great Montana Lake Vacation. Purchase your downloadable guide using our Pay-Pal option knowing your information is safe and secure and we will see you on the Lake!

Purchase the Flathead Lake Vacation Guide 

Montana’s Flathead Lake Vacations are better with this downloadable guide. The booklet includes restaurants, hotels, motels, vacation rentals, boat rentals, water craft rentals as well as public and private campgrounds.

It is the most complete vacation information about Flathead Lake. Download your copy today!

About Flathead Lake

#MontanasFlatheadLake

There are  185 miles of shoreline and 200 square miles of natural  freshwater.  Therefore earning the title as “the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi”.  There are 13 public access sites around The Lake maintained by  Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks

Flathead Lake

The southern half of The Lake lies within the boundary of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Flathead Reservation, which was created in 1855 by the Hellgate Treaty. The Flathead Nation insists that all non-tribal members purchase a tribal recreation permit to recreate on tribal lands.

Hiking Trails: Camp Misery Trail

Hiking Trail: Camp Misery Trail #68

The Camp Misery trail is 0.8 miles long. It begins at the junction with Noisy Creek Trail #8 and ends at the junction with Alpine Trail #7 and provides one of the many accesses into the Jewel Basin Hiking Area. The trail is primarily open for the following uses: Hiking.

Usage is typically light, closest town is Bigfork
Camp Misery TrailDirections:
From Bigfork, go North on Highway 35 for 2.3 miles and turn right onto Highway 83. Stay on 83 for 2.8 miles and turn left onto Echo Lake Rd. After 2.2 miles, turn slightly right onto Foothill Rd. Continue for 1.1 miles and bear slight right following the Jewel Basin sign onto Road #5392. Continue 6.6 miles to the end of the road for the trailhead.

 

Location

Area/Length : 0.8 miles
Elevation : 5,750 feet – 7,530 feet

190 pages packed with trailheads, camping spots, and local information around Flathead Lake.

PURCHASE THE GO HIKE WITH MIKE TRAIL GUIDE
Don’t need the hiking guide, just some basic trail information, do not fret.  Mike has included some beginner to medium hikes on this website.  Depending on were you as staying there is most likely a trail head near you. Thanks for visiting, hope to see you on the trail.
The trail guide is focused on trails, camping and being in the woods.  Mike’s Mike’s Go Hike With Mike Flathead Lake Trail Guide breaks the area in five easy to use sections.  North of Flathead lake, including The Talley Lake area and due north to Polebridge. East of Flathead Lake, including the Swan Front, Swan Valley, and on into the Hungry Horse recreation area.  The guide contains most every trail Mike has hiked in the last 20 years or plans to hike in the next 20 years.

Polson Bay Golf

Hours of operation at the Polson Bay Golf Course, 406-883-8230 are Monday through Sunday 7 am to 8pm.

While traveling through Polson there are a number of popular stops. If you are a golfer, the the ol’nine golf course is a taste of what once was. If you enjoy a more modern golf course, Polson also hosts an 18 hole course.

Polson Golf

The course has been open to the public since 1938. It has been a Mission and Flathead Valley favorite for years and years. There are 27 holes available for play. Every hole comes with spectacular views of both the mission mountains and Montana’s Flathead Lake.

While golfing the ol’ nine you will see the old clubhouse in the center of the course. The building was built during the WPA years, and now houses the Port Polson Players. The Players provide perfect programing with members and guest from the local communities. Be sure to consider a show in the air-conditioned theater.

The greens are green, the sky is blue and Montana’s Polson bay Golf course rises to the occasion, receiving a 4 Star Rating in Places to Play Golf by Golf Digest.

After your round of golf take some time to visit Bunkers Grill. Located on the Polson Bay Golf Course, 406-407-7656.

Hiking Trails: Crater Notch Trail

Hiking Trail: Crater Notch Trail #187

The Crater Notch Trail is 3.7 miles long and climbs about 3,000 feet. It begins 1/2 mile up the Echo-Brokenleg Trail #544 and ends at the Alpine Trail #7 leading to In-thlam-keh Lake. The trail is open for the following uses for the first 2.7 miles: hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. After 3.5 miles the trail enters the Jewel Basin Hiking Area where the only allowed use is hiking. Please respect these guidelines.

Usage is typically light, closest town is Bigfork Montana.
Directions:
From Bigfork, go north on Highway 35 for 2.3 miles and turn right onto Hwy. 83. Stay on 83 for 2.8 miles, turning left onto Echo Lake Rd. After 2.2 miles, merge slightly right onto the Foothills Road. After 1.1 miles turn right onto Road #5392 also called Jewel Basin Rd. The trailhead is about two miles up the road on the right.

Location

Area/Length : 3.7 miles
Elevation : 3,255 feet – 6,175 feet

Crater Notch Trail190 pages packed with trailheads, camping spots, and local information around Flathead Lake.

PURCHASE THE GO HIKE WITH MIKE TRAIL GUIDE
Don’t need the hiking guide, just some basic trail information, do not fret.  Mike has included some beginner to medium hikes on this website.  Depending on were you as staying there is most likely a trail head near you. Thanks for visiting, hope to see you on the trail.
The trail guide is focused on trails, camping and being in the woods.  Mike’s Flathead Lake Trail Guide breaks the area in five easy to use sections.  North of Flathead lake, including The Talley Lake area and due north to Polebridge. East of Flathead Lake, including the Swan Front, Swan Valley, and on into the Hungry Horse recreation area.  The guide contains most every trail Mike has hiked in the last 20 years or plans to hike in the next 20 years.

Hiking Trail: Noisy Creek Trail

Noisy Creek Trail #8

The Noisy Creek trail is 1.9 miles long and climbs 850 feet. It begins at the end of Jewel Basin Road #5392 and ends at the junction with Alpine Trail #7. This is one of many accesses to the Jewel Basin Hiking Area. The trail is open primarily for the following uses: Hiking. Other uses are allowed, but not recommended, up to the Hiking Area boundary—see below for restrictions.

Usage is typically light, closest town is Bigfork Montana.
Directions:
From Bigfork, go north on Highway 35 for 2.3 miles and turn right onto Hwy 83. Stay on Hwy. 83 for 2.8 miles and turn left onto Echo Lake Road. After 2.2 miles, turn slightly right onto the Foothills Road. After 1.1 miles, turn right onto Rd. # 5392, following the Jewel Basin Road signs. The trailhead is 6.6 miles at the end of the road. Trail #8 starts at parking lot see information boards to make sure you are starting on the right trail as there are several that leave the parking lot.

Location

Area/Length : 1.9 miles
Elevation : 5,760 feet – 6,500 feet

Noisy Creek Trail190 pages packed with trailheads, camping spots, and local information around Flathead Lake.

PURCHASE THE GO HIKE WITH MIKE TRAIL GUIDE
Don’t need the hiking guide, just some basic trail information, do not fret.  Mike has included some beginner to medium hikes on this website.  Depending on were you as staying there is most likely a trail head near you. Thanks for visiting, hope to see you on the trail.
The trail guide is focused on trails, camping and being in the woods.  Mike’s Flathead Lake Trail Guide breaks the area in five easy to use sections.  North of Flathead lake, including The Talley Lake area and due north to Polebridge. East of Flathead Lake, including the Swan Front, Swan Valley, and on into the Hungry Horse recreation area.  The guide contains most every trail Mike has hiked in the last 20 years or plans to hike in the next 20 years.

Mission Mountains Wilderness

Mission Mountains Wilderness
Located in the Flathead National Forest in Montana. 

The Mission Mountains Wilderness is on the Swan Lake Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest in northwestern Montana. The Forest Service manages it as part of the National Forest System. Officially classified as Wilderness on January 4, 1975, the 73,877 acre area is managed in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964.  The Mission Mountains run along the east shore of Montana’s Flathead Lake.

The Mission MountainsWhen to Visit – Most people visit the wilderness between July 1 and October 1. Snow-filled passes and high streams make earlier travel difficult and hazardous. High lakes do not open up until early or mid-June.

June is normally a wet month. Snow still covers high, shaded basins and surrounds trees.

July, August, and early September are dry months. Daytime temperatures are the 80-90 degree range. Showers are frequent. Nights are very cool. Snow occur at any time. Heavy snow generally occurs in late October and early November.

If you are a skier or winter camper, late February through May provide the best snow conditions and longer days. When planning an extended backcountry trip, be informed of potential avalanche conditions.

Trails – There are about 45 miles of maintained Forest Service system trails in the Mission Mountains. Most trails are better suited to hiking than horseback riding because of rugged terrain.

Travel is primarily by foot with some horseback use. Mountain bikes, hang gliders, motorized trail bikes, motorcycles, three and four wheelers, and snowmobiles are not permitted. Few of the trails can be called easy. Some are especially difficult because of steepness. You should be an experienced hiker to travel cross country and should possess map reading and compass skills.

The Mission MountainsThroughout the Mission Mountains you will find old Indian and packer trails. These are usually steep and difficult to follow. They are suitable for only the most experienced horse users or backpackers.

Access Points – The major access points into the Mission Mountains Wilderness from the Swan Valley: Glacier Creek, Cold Lakes, Piper Creek, Fatty Creek, and Beaver Creek. Other access points from the Swan Valley include Lindbergh Lake (south end trail reached by boat), Jim Lakes, Hemlock Creek, Meadow Lake, and Elk Point.

There are also three major access points from the Salish & Kootenai Indian Reservation side of the Mission Mountains. Access through tribal lands requires a permit. These permits may be purchased at major sporting goods stores in Missoula and the Mission Valley or through the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Recreation Department in Pablo, Montana, phone (406) 675-2700.

A major portion of the Mission Mountains is suitable for backpacking only. Travel is strenuous, but it has many advantages: independence and self-sufficiency, opportunities for solitude, and you’re more carefree when backpacking.

DAY HIKES: The Mission Mountains has several hikes ranging from 1 1/4 miles to 6 miles (one way) which can be completed in a day. You will carry less on your back and travel more easily.

BACKPACKING: Backpacking requires careful planning. Proper equipment, with maximum utility and minimum weight, will make the trip easier. The most important items will be your pack, sleeping bag, and foot gear. Take only what you need. A pack that is too heavy can spoil your trip. A pack without adequate food, clothing and shelter can be equally disappointing and unpleasant.

The Go Hike With Mike trail guide contains most every trailhead along the Swan front of the Mission Mountains.

Looking west at Flathead Lake from Yellowbay State Park.