Enjoy this 5.9-mile out-and-back trail near Lake Mc Donald, Montana. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 28 min to complete. This is a very popular area for camping and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail.
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We started the trail at 11:50am and ended at 3pm, we did stop a lot to take pictures and admire the views :) It was sprinkling for the first 30-45 minutes then turned to snow flurries! Absolutely beautiful and the hike wasn’t bad at all even with everything being wet.
Nice hike with some waterfalls early and the beautiful forest with gradual incline to Avalanche Lake and surrounding mountains. Road to the Sun was open to Avalanche Lake and there was plenty of parking at 10 am. We did not see anyone until we were half way back and then just two or three small groups. Rain and snow but good visibility.
I got to the parking lot by sunrise (8:12am on a Friday in late October). Parking lot was mostly empty and I passed 4 people on my way to the lake. Had it completely to myself which was great! I also did the extra half mile or so to get to the other side of the lake, also had it to myself. On the way back there were A LOT more people and lots were full. To me this was an easy hike, but if you’re not used to hiking it’d be considered moderate given the elevation gain. It’s a beautiful hike/very scenic. Would recommend!
Stunning views! One of the prettiest hikes we’ve ever been on. Moderate hike, a little chilly but perfect in the sun. We had a blue jay follow us at different parts along the trail. He ended up landing on my husbands shoe while we were sat at the lake. Looks like we have a new spirit animal!
Gorgeous views of the lake at the top! Aside from the fact that we told my mom we would take a “short hike” and ended up deciding to hike to the lake, which took much longer than expected and we had no reception so we could not call to let her know we’d be back later and by the time we finally got back it was almost dark and she was worried sick andwas about to report us “missing” to a ranger… it was totally worth it!
Awesome trail and worth the views. If you make it to the first part of the lake there are some places to sit down and enjoy the views, many people turned back after that, but if you keep going just a little further you can get to the end of the lake at the base of the mountain. It is quite serene here and the views were even better!
Beautiful lake views! Lots of parking, but Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed beyond this point so there may be a lot of cars at peak times. Follow the Trail of the Cedars to the trailhead. When you get to the lake, keep hiking the trail. You can go all the way to the far side of the lake & most people stop without doing so, leaving you to a more peaceful experience.
One of the busiest trails in the park. Rainy holiday week with a lot of people so it was very muddy and slippery in some places. Not so many people at the lake that you can’t get good photos but still a high traffic trail. Bits of rain showers on and off but since it’s summer rain it was not too cold and even felt nice at times. 1. Started at trailhead across from Avalanche campground. The parking at the trailhead was full but I was very lucky to grab a spot as someone was pulling out. 2. Hiked through the Trail of Cedars and along the gorge, (which someone fell in and drown just a couple of days earlier so be sure to view only form the platform). Follow the stream for quite a ways through the forest then up to the lake. The first views of the lake make you want to stop but go just a little further to get to the more open beach area for better views. 3. Hiked a bit along the beach then connected back up to the trail on the west side of the lake until the sign that says End of Trail. 4 The trail DOES continue but is not a park "maintained" trail so there will be some scrambling over and under fallen trees and branches. it will go a bit past the lake and will start to get deeper into the jungle of foliage and overgrowth south of the lake head that is fed by all of the glacial streams falling down the mountain from up at Sperry Glacier on the other side. 5. Scrambled out of the bushwhacked trails up to the first glacial waterfall for pictures. There is no way to cross over safely with all the brush and the water fall stream. After a few pictures headed back to the main trail and back to the lake for some dinner. 6. Hiked back to the trailhead. Great afternoon or early morning hike. This is one of the tourist processing plants in the park but there are usually very few people on the "after trail" to the first glacial waterfall.
My wife and I did this hike the day before they closed for off season. It was raining the entire hike and it was in the upper 30°s. Even with the weather conditions, the hike was absolutely worth it and pretty easy. The views throughout the hike were wonderful and getting to see the lake, even with low visibility, was just breathtaking!
The hike is great for those looking for a trail to complete in a 3 hour period as you’ll want to enjoy your time at the lake. The path is well maintained, no loose rocks and easy to navigate. We started around 8:45am and had the trail to ourselves the whole way up.
