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A hike that starts at a beautiful lake and travels through varied forests visiting three other lakes.


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Map Key

12.8

Miles

20.6

KM

Point to Point

5,414' 1,650 m

High

4,035' 1,230 m

Low

2,378' 725 m

Up

2,218' 676 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

49%

Max Grade (26°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Bring bear spray.

Description

This trail starts at the shores of the beautiful Bowman Lake. From there, you travel east, cross Bowman Creek over a bridge and wrap around the foot of the lake with more intermittent views. This route describes a counter clockwise mode of travel, so you'll head first south before wrapping around to the north. Once on the lake's southernmost point, you begin to steadily climb up the northern slope of Cerulean Ridge. There aren't many views to speak of, but the forest is pleasant and the grade is steady.

After about two miles of traversing, the trail begins to switchback up and over the ridge. At the top of the ridge, you reach the junction of an old burn where you enter a younger stand of lodgepole pines. From there, you can get a slight glimpse of Middle Quartz Lake and Lower Quartz Lake. The trail descends through the trees giving you a bird's eye view of Middle Quartz Lake before entering an older stand of trees.

This older stand is a cooler forest and takes you to the shores of Quartz Lake and Quartz Lake Campground. This lake is beautiful and backdropped by Vulture Peak. Continuing on the trail, you pass a patrol cabin, then begin to work your way west towards Middle Quartz Lake. The trail goes up and down before crossing Quartz Creek at the head of Middle Quartz Lake. The trail traverses the lake with a few nice views of the lake.

Once past the lake, the trail travels through the forest and parallels Lower Quartz Lake with glimpses of the water through the trees, but no access until the foot of the lake where the Lower Quartz Campground sits. The trail for Quartz Creek joins the loop at the campground. From here, the trail crosses the creek and begins climbing in earnest over Quartz Ridge. This section of trail is incredibly steep almost the entire way up, where it crests, then steeply descends back to the trail you started on, then returns to the foot of Bowman Lake.

This trail can be done in either direction.

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

Forest birds and flowers are plentiful. The highlight for birds are the loons that frequently nest in the lakes.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jake Bramante

Trail Ratings

  3.6 from 10 votes

#3

in North Fork

#13047

Overall
  3.6 from 10 votes
5 Star
20%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
30%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
10%
Trail Rankings

#3

in North Fork

#314

in Montana

#13,047

Overall
3 Views Last Month
1,808 Since Sep 3, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

View from Quartz Lake Campground.
Jun 14, 2016 near Trailcreek, MT
Bridge over Quartz Creek where the Quartz Creek Trail links up with the Quartz Lake Loop Trail.
May 16, 2016 near Trailcreek, MT
Trip video of Quartz Lake Loop
Jun 14, 2016 near Trailcreek, MT

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 64 days ago
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Check-Ins

Aug 14, 2023
Matt B
Aug 16, 2020
Sam F
12.8mi — 5h 07m
Jul 28, 2020
Lisa Panepinto
Yuk!
Jul 6, 2020
Natasha Meier
Just did the upper quartz creek and back from bowmans lake. Tons of bugs but one of the most beautiful lakes at the end. 10/10 12.8mi
Jul 2, 2020
Xiao Li
Bowman to quartz 7.4mi — 2h 29m
Jun 28, 2020
Lou Guajardo
Many trees have fallen on the trail. It's a long hike for a few nice lake views 14mi — 8h 00m
Jun 27, 2020
Lou Guajardo
Trees fallen on the trail between lakes made for a really tough hike. — 8h 30m
Jun 16, 2019
Brian Moreland
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