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Strawberry Lake

This switch-backed trail makes for a nice day hike that pays off with an alpine lake

By Tristan Scott
Strawberry Lake. Tristan Scott | Flathead Beacon

This shaded, switch-backed trail makes for a nice day hike that pays off with an alpine lake at the finish. The path climbs 1,500 feet in 2.8 miles, where it intersects with Alpine Trail No. 7 at the head of the lake.

From here, hikers can travel north for another 27 miles to the base of Columbia Mountain and the terminus of the Swan Range, access the Jewel Basin and fish Wildcat Lake or sit down for a lakeside lunch and turn around, content with a hike well done.

The lake has been partially freezing due to the cold temperatures, but the trail is snow free.

Directions:

From Bigfork travel to Echo Lake Rd., drive roughly 2 miles and turn onto Foothill Road and drive another 3 miles to Road 5390. Trailhead is 3.3 miles at the end of the road.