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A trail through a recent burn with filtered views and a middle section requiring some route finding.


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9.5

Miles

15.3

KM

Point to Point

5,159' 1,572 m

High

3,507' 1,069 m

Low

3,011' 918 m

Up

1,375' 419 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

38%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Wildflowers

Bring bear spray.

Description

The trail starts on the Inside North Fork Road with a nice trailhead sign. It climbs up onto the ridge on a well maintained trail to the intersection with the Howe Lake Trail. From here, it continues along the ridgeline going up and down. The views of the surrounding peaks and Lake McDonald are nice, but filtered through massive stands of trees.

This section of trail, until it reaches the West Lakes Trail, is poorly maintained. Various sections have been washed out and some route finding is required. Due to the fire and infrequent maintenance, downfall is very common. Pocket ponds and standing water provide ample breeding ground for mosquitos in spring and early summer.

New trees are gradually obscuring views that the fire brought.

This content was created by Jake Bramante of Hike 734. Visit hike734.com for more expert Glacier content and maps that help you decide which trail to hike.

Flora & Fauna

Flowers such as fireweed, geraniums, and wild rose are common. Birds include wrens, chickadees, and western tanagers.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jake Bramante

Trail Ratings

  1.0 from 1 vote

#32

in Lake McDonald

#51179

Overall
  1.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#32

in Lake McDonald

#827

in Montana

#51,179

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1,148 Since Sep 3, 2015
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Photos

Pocket pond along the Howe Ridge Trail.
Jun 21, 2016 near Apgar, MT
Hike up Howe Ridge and down to Howe Lake.
Jun 6, 2016 near Apgar, MT

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Bad / Closed 58 days ago
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Check-Ins

May 9, 2025
Chris Horton
HORRENDOUS amounts of regrowth to the 'summit' of Howe Ridge
Aug 5, 2017
Lydia Fimreite
Jul 20, 2016
Lindsay Harris
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