Jewel Basin Hiking – Birch Lake Trail.

The Birch Lake trail is 0.8 miles long.

It begins at Jct. Alpine Trail. #7 In Sec. 32 and ends at Jct. Alpine Trail. #7 In Sec. 5. The trail is open for hiking, no motorized traffic. The Birch Lake Trail is in the Jewel Basin Hiking area. Special regulations are in place.

Closest Towns: Bigfork, MT

Birch Lake Trail

Directions: From Bigfork, take Hwy 35 north to Hwy 83. Head east on Hwy 83 to the junction of the Echo Lake Road. Head north on Echo Lake Road about 3 miles to junction with the Jewel Basin Road (No. 5392). Follow this road approximalty 7 miles to the trailhead. CAUTION: The last 5 miles are steep. Use headlights for safety. Caution advised for low clearance vehicles. Trailers not recommended.

Jewel Basin Hiking Area Regulations Pursuant to 36 CFR 261

For more contact: Flathead National Forest

Hungry Horse — Glacier View Ranger District: (406) 387-3800

Swan Lake Ranger District: (406) 837-7500

Special Regulations

Fires: There are no open fires allowed within 500 feet of the shores of the following lakes: Twin, Picnic, Birch, and Crater Lakes. This is for the purposes of sanitation and resource protection.

Dogs: Dogs must be on a leash and under physical restrictive control at all times while in Jewel Basin and all trails leading into it. This is for wildlife, resource, and visitor protection.

Party Size: Group sizes are limited to 12 persons in order to protect resources and minimize disruption to other visitors.

Food Storage: Jewel Basin is in Bear Country and as such proper storage regulations must be followed including storing attractants in a bear resistant manner when you are not at camp with your food and other attractants.

General Regulations

Camping: Allowed anywhere in Jewel Basin. Campsites are dispersed and we ask that you minimize your impact.

Campfires: Fires are allowed in the Jewel basin where not otherwise restricted. Please minimize fire impact by using a fire blanket or pan and consider not building a fire ring.

Stay Limit: The stay limit is 14 days within any 30 day period. Waste Disposal: Please use one of the outhouses or use the cathole method to bury human waste.

Garbage Service: There is no garbage service. Please pack out anything you bring with you.

Travel Management

The Jewel Basin is a hiker only area. As such, stock, motorized, and mechanized use is prohibited within the Jewel Basin Hiking Area boundary.