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A wonderful trail that follows the western edge of the magnificent Waterton Lake to the town.


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Map Key

8.7

Miles

14.0

KM

Point to Point

4,505' 1,373 m

High

4,213' 1,284 m

Low

793' 242 m

Up

797' 243 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

19%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildlife

Bring bear spray.

This trail crosses the USA/Canada border - be sure to have proper ID and any other required permits/paperwork.

Section Of

Description

The trail starts near the Goat Haunt Ranger Station where it wanders through the trees paralleling the Waterton River. A large swinging bridge across the river takes you north. As you travel through the trees, you pass the Waterton River Campground Trail, then pass the Boulder Pass Trail. You continue on through some small meadows and trees towards Waterton Lake.

As you head north, you get closer to the lake, eventually getting to its treed shoreline. You roughly follow the shoreline with intermittent views. Because the vegetation grows right to the edge of the lake, you never really get open, panoramic views of the lake. It does, however allow you to see the lake and some waterfowl on it.

The forest and occasional meadows with views to the surrounding, stunning peaks are very nice and level all the way up to Boundary Creek. Just before crossing Boundary Creek, the North Boundary Trail takes off to the west. From here, the trail goes over Boundary Creek in a particularly cool cascading section of the creek with beautiful rock walls. Another 1/3 mile takes you to the wide swath cut out of the trees and some monuments letting you know that you're at the US/Canada Border. Just across the border is the Boundary Bay Campground in Waterton Lakes National Park.

From here, the trail continues roughly following the shoreline gaining and losing some elevation over treed ridges that extend to the water. This continues past Bertha Bay Campground and the spur trail up to Bertha Lake to the town of Waterton.

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.

Where this trail crosses the U.S./Canadian border it becomes part of the GDT (Great Divide Trail): greatdividetrail.com. This section is managed by Parks Canada, Waterton National Park.

Flora & Fauna

Forest plants and birds as well as some waterfowl. Occasional animals may be seen, but the forest obscures many.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jake Bramante

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 2 votes

#6

in Goat Haunt

#24777

Overall
  3.5 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#6

in Goat Haunt

#540

in Montana

#24,777

Overall
4 Views Last Month
1,734 Since Mar 17, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

At the Canada/USA border looking east across Upper Waterton Lake, the dock and Parks boat that carries tourists between Waterton Townsite, Waterton National Park, Canada and Goat Haunt, Glacier National Park, USA.
Jul 25, 2022 near Swiftcu…, MT
Upper Waterton Lake, looking south from near the start of Lakeshore Trail. Lots of new green growth in the recovering 2017 Kenow Fire burn area.
Jul 25, 2022 near Pincher…, AB
Canada/USA border - monuments and cutline showing to the east on the far side of Upper Waterton Lake.
Jul 25, 2022 near Swiftcu…, MT
Rugged mountains across Upper Waterton Lake near the Canada/USA border, seen looking southeast from a small beach along Lakeshore Trail.
Jul 25, 2022 near Pincher…, AB
Waterton Lake offers a gorgeous treat after a long day of adventuring.
Dec 11, 2016 near Pincher…, AB
Trip video of Waterton Lake and North Boundary trails
Jun 20, 2016 near Swiftcu…, MT

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