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.

Trails around Flathead Lake.

Trails around Flathead Lake
Trails around Flathead Lake. There are many trails around Flathead lake. Here are four trails that are easily accessible. The Flathead Lake Trail is by far the easiest hike. It is a short half mile loop interpretive trail hike. The short but steep distance down to excellent view of Flathead Lake and the western skyline. This trail was developed in partnership with the Bigfork High School.

Directions: From Bigfork, go south on Highway 35 past Woods Bay, and turn right after mile marker 23, entering the Beardance trailhead parking. The trail goes downhill from both parking areas, creating a loop.

If you are looking for something a bit more difficult, cross the road to the Bear Dance Trail. The Bear Dance trail and the Flathead Lake Trail share the same parking lot.

BEARDANCE TRAIL #76

The Beardance Trail is 6.7 miles long and climbs about 2,200 feet. It begins off of Highway # 35 from the Beardance Trailhead and follows Forest Road #10222 and terminates at Crane Mountain Road #498. This trail has been re-routed in the last year and no longer follows the old Forest Service Road #9755. The trail is open to: hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

Usage: Heavy | Closest Towns: Bigfork
Directions: From Bigfork go south on Highway 35 past Woods Bay and turn right after mile marker 23, entering the Beardance trailhead parking. The trailhead is on the east side of the highway.
Season: These trails are typically snow free by April.
Regulations: Hiking, horse riding and mountain biking are allowed on these trails. Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles are prohibited.

Area/Length : 6.7 miles
Latitude : 47.95678
Longitude : -114.03442
Elevation : 3,071 feet – 5,309 feet

Beardance Area: Trails #76, 373, and 314

Directions: From Bigfork go south on Highway 35 past Woods Bay and turn right after mile marker 23, entering the Beardance trailhead parking. The trailhead is on the east side of the highway.

Trail Description:
The Phillips Trail 373 leaves from the Beardance parking lot and climbs moderately, enjoy a nice viewpoint of Flathead Lake, then continues to climb through the trees and finally crosses two creeks and then descends to the road.

The Crane Mountain Trail 314 climbs up switchbacks in the shade of a dense forest and follows Crane Creek up to the junction with an old road. Once you reach the old road, the grade levels off for an easy hike to the upper trailhead.

The Beardance Trail 76 starts climbing up switchbacks then continue to climb up through a forested area to the trailhead on Crane Mountain Rd.

The Go Hike with Mike trail guide contains most every trail head in the Flathead and Kootenai Forest as well as the Mission Mountain Tribal Wilderness, including this campground.  Click here to purchase your copy.

ESTES LAKE TRAIL #96

The Estes Lake trail is 1.5 miles long. It begins at the junction with Road #498 and ends at Estes Lake.

The trail starts out climbing slightly, goes over a knoll, and then descends, winding through the topography and between small wetlands; there is a small cedar grove near the lake. Estes Lake is a tannic lake bordered by lily pads and scattered with blue dragon flies (depending on the time of year).

The trail is open for Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) less than or equal to 50 inches wide, 2 wheeled vehicles, mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking.

Estes Lake trail directions, from Bigfork, go south on Highway 35 for 0.7 miles, turning left onto Hwy 209. Stay on 209 for 3 miles, turning right at the light onto South Ferndale Rd. After 2 miles, merge right.

Estes Lake trail

Mike has been up and down this trail many times.  It is a favorite for out of area friends and guests.  If you want to make it interesting you can begin the trail down and it breaks off to many different points.  The beauty is it is really hard to get lost.  If you Hike down you end at Flathead Lake, or Crane Mountain.  In either case civilization is just around the corner.

If you are hiking somewhere other then around Montana’s Flathead Lake be sure to check out the Top 100 Hiking Blogs from Feed Spot.

Phillips Trail #373

Hike Flathead LakeHike Flathead Lake on Phillips Trail #373. Phillips Trail #373 is 3.8 miles long and climbs about 600 feet; it intersects with Crane Mtn Road #498 and the Beardance Trail #76. This is one of three trails that climb up Crane Mountain. Access by car from Crane Mountain is available 4/1-11/30, otherwise hikers must access from the Flathead Lake side at the Beardance trailhead (4.4 miles up). The trail is open for the following uses: hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

Hike Flathead Lake

Usage: Light
Closest Towns: Bigfork
Directions:
Crane Mtn Access: From Bigfork go south on Highway 35 for 0.7 miles, turning left onto Hwy 209. Stay on 209 for 3 miles, then turn right at the light onto South Ferndale Rd. After 2 miles merge right onto Crane Mountain Rd also called Forest Service Road #498. The trail is 3 miles up on the west side of the road.

Flathead Lake Access: From Bigfork follow Highway 35 south, past Woods Bay, to the Beardance Picnic Area south of mile marker 23. The trailhead is on the east side of the highway, across from the parking lot.  If you are planning on vacationing around Flathead Lake, consider Mike’s Flathead Lake Vacation Guide.

Length : 3.8 miles
Elevation : 3,440 feet – 4,039 feet

Flathead Lake Trail #77

Flathead Lake TrailThis short, family friendly 0.4 mile loop interpretive Flathead Lake trail. The short but steep distance down to excellent view of Flathead Lake and the western skyline. This trail was developed in partnership with the Bigfork High School.

If you have the opportunity to visit this trail during the month of May the may Flowers will be in full bloom.  The trail is a little steep going down.  However, it is very manageable for young and old alike.  The view from this Flathead Lake trail is exceptional.  At points on the trail you will see north into Woods Bay as well as east to Wildhorse Island.  Once at the bottom of this short trail be sure to refresh yourself with a plunge into the blue waters of Flathead Lake.

At a Glance
Usage: Light
Closest Towns: Bigfork
Water: No
Directions: To get to this trail head from Bigfork, go south on Highway 35 past Woods Bay, and turn right after mile marker 23, entering the Beardance trailhead parking. The trail goes downhill from both parking areas, creating a loop.

Location

Latitude : 47.95622819
Longitude : -114.0329612
Elevation : 3,071 feet – 3,071 feet

There is no camping at this trail head.  Camping is available in Wayfarers State Park about 10 miles to the north in Bigfork.

Beardance Trail

Flathead Lake Beardance TrailThe Flathead Lake Bear Dance Trail is 6.7 miles long and climbs about 2,200 feet. It begins off of Highway # 35 from the Beardance Trailhead and follows Forest Road #10222 and terminates at Crane Mountain Road #498.  The trail is open to: hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

Usage: Heavy
Closest Towns: Bigfork
Directions: From Bigfork go south on Highway 35 past Woods Bay and turn right after mile marker 23, entering the Beardance trailhead parking. The trailhead is on the east side of the highway.
Season: These trails are typically snow free by April.
Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles are prohibited.

Area/Length : 6.7 miles
Latitude : 47.95678
Longitude : -114.03442
Elevation : 3,071 feet – 5,309 feet

Beardance Area: Trails #76, 373, and 314

Beardance TrailDirections: From Bigfork go south on Highway 35 past Woods Bay and turn right after mile marker 23, entering the Beardance trailhead parking. The trailhead is on the east side of the highway.

Flathead Lake Bear Dance Trail Description:

The Phillips Trail 373 leaves from the Beardance parking lot and climbs moderately, enjoy a nice viewpoint of Flathead Lake, then continues to climb through the trees and finally crosses two creeks and then descends to the road.

The Crane Mountain Trail 314 climbs up switchbacks in the shade of a dense forest and follows Crane Creek up to the junction with an old road. Once you reach the old road, the grade levels off for an easy hike to the upper trailhead.

Flathead Lake Bear Dance Trail 76 starts climbing up switchbacks then continue to climb up through a forested area to the trailhead on Crane Mountain Rd.

For a shorter family friendly hike, consider Flathead Lake Trail.

The Go Hike with Mike trail guide contains most every trail head in the Flathead and Kootenia Forest as well as the Mission Mountain Tribal Wilderness.  Click here to purchase your copy.