Hike: Chain Lakes #377 | Flathead National Forest, Montana

Montana's "claim to fame" is Glacier National Park and for good reason...spellbinding scenery, remnant glaciers, an ecosystem largely intact and a hiker's paradise. Recently the Park has been seeing over 3.3 million visitors annually to its approximately 1 million acres. A majority of visitation is seen June to September leaving locals feeling a little squeezed for elbow room in their backyard park. That being said, there is no shortage of public lands to explore with similar Glacier experiences without the crowds. Flathead National Forest borders Glacier National Park to the west and south and encompasses over 2.4 million acres with a dizzying number of trails, lakes and rivers. We're making it our mission to explore a new trail each week.

Chain Lakes Trail #377 is a short, steep well-maintained forested trail with lots of switchbacks, in Montana's Flathead National Forest Whitefish Range-North Fork area. If your plans include going to Polebridge, Montana and you want a crowd-free hike you'll want to add this one to your list. Hike up and you'll be rewarded with first alpine lake 1.0 miles (elevation gain of around 900 feet) and a second alpine lake 0.5 miles beyond. The series of four lakes, two of which can be accessed by the Chain Lakes Trail, offer wildlife viewing, swimming, fishing and primitive camping opportunities and an excellent alternative to Glacier National Park's summer crowds.

BEHIND THE PHOTO

---

This outing was an attempt to retreat from the heat and wildfire smoke that we were experiencing in August 2018. The quick elevation gain, lushly forested trail and refreshing cool water of the alpine lakes fit the bill. Highlight of the outing was watching our son (age 3 years old) cast a fly rod for the first time with near perfection. There are two primitive hike-in campsites...one located at the first and another at the second lake (no pit toilets), so if you plan to camp go mid-week and/or have an alternate plan in case both spots are claimed. Either way this trail makes for a great day hike. *Access to the upper lake does require some scrambling in sections (no rope needed), but if you have younger children in tow you'll want to carefully carry them in a kid carrier for this section.

DIRECTIONS

---

Columbia Falls, Montana to Trailhead (49.7 miles, approximately 1hr 53 minute drive) From Columbia Falls, drive north on North Fork Road for 39.7 miles. Turn left onto Red Meadow Road/Forest Service Road 115, Trailhead will be 20 miles down this road. Parking area is on the pull off on the left/south side of road just past creek crossing. Trailhead sign is across from parking area. *If you have driven to Red Meadow Lake, you've driven too far.

Whitefish, Montana to Trailhead (39.2 miles, approximately 1hr 37 minute drive) From Whitefish drive 18 miles north on Highway 93. Turn right on Olney Crossover Road (eventually changes to Red Meadow Road/Forest Service Road 115) and drive for 20 miles. You'll drive over Whitefish Divide past Red Meadow Lake before reaching creek crossing. Just before bridge there is a pull off on the right/south side of road, park here and walk across road to access trail.