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Glacier National Park
Otokomi Lake
Otokomi Lake – 11 miles round
trip
A strenuous hike with a 1900 ft. elevation gain.
The trailhead is located to the left of Rising Sun Camp Store.
Wildflowers and berry bushes create a thick undergrowth here along
the forested valley. Hiking the trail we listen to the sounds of
Rose Creek gurgling over falls and cascades and swirling into pools
as it rushes alongside the trail. We follow the trail through the
thick forest going uphill through several switchbacks, which make
the elevation gain easier. Coming out of the forest, the view of
Goat Mountain is spectacular. Rose Creek below us is a sight to
behold also. A variety of wildflowers and berry bushes are close to
the trail, adding color and interest to the photos we are taking. We
come close to Rose Creek again at an avalanche area and as we look
at the tangled trees and debris and stop to contemplate what it must
have been like when the avalanche plowed through here with a
thunderous roar. Continuing on, the trail again goes through a
series of switchbacks. We listen to the Stellar Jays scolding the
chipmunks as they gather their food for the coming winter months.
Coming to the lake we pass through an avalanche area and over a
sloping mass of loose rock below the cliffs above. Otokomi Lake lies
in a bowl between mountains of red argillite rock and green forest.
The lake is a deep blue-green and the sight is awesome and worth the
effort of getting there.
Hiking to Otokomi Lake
Otokomi in the language of the Blackfeet Indians, meant "Yellow
Fish." To us it’s a beautiful lake, high up in the mountains. It’s
well worth the challenging eleven mile hike.
Our hike will start from the trail head, just left of the camp store
at Rising Sun. We will follow Rose Creek, where the undergrowth is
quite heavy and we will want to wear some waterproof clothing, as it
remains quite damp at times.
As we follow Rose Creek, we are treated to many lovely sights of
rushing water, water falls and quieter still pools of water. A
photographers delight. Most of these sights can not be seen, from
the "Going To The Sun road. It’s only by hiking this lovely trail
that we can experience, such a peaceful bit of nature.
As we approach the Rose Basin, we are amazed to find some of the
most beautiful colored rocks imaginable. Lake Otokomi sits in this
basin. On a day when the sun hits them, the many colors are
striking. The sparkling clear water makes the colors even more
intense.
As we walk along Rose Creek, we will go through juniper trees,
Douglas fir, maple, and many other tall trees. On the ground we find
wild roses, asters, paintbrush, fireweed and beargrass. This trail
shows off nature at her best.
As we leave the creek side, we will climb the trail upward going
back and forth on switchbacks. We will climb through a forest of
Douglas Fir and Lodgepole Pine. The needles from these trees will
make soft footing through here. This is a dense area with trees, but
bird calls will fill the air.
Suddenly, we walk out of the trees and find we are high above Rose
creek. The view shows us the impressive, Goat Mountain, as it rises
to an altitude of 8,826 feet. What a view!!
As we continue we catch glimpses of Rose Creek far below as it
rushes and tumbles, into waterfalls and pools.
We will once again come to Rose Creek at a higher altitude, as we
find an avalanche shoot. Several years ago, an avalanche of giant
size came sliding down through this path. It wiped out trees all
along the way. They can still be seen as they were left, when the
snow melted.
We are still climbing, through yet another forest of white pine. We
can find many birds here also. After crossing a stony area, we will
see ahead of us, Otokomi Lake. Here it sits in a basin carved out by
Glaciers of the past. We can now sit and think about this beautiful
spot, where higher up we look at red argillite peaks rising high
above the timber line. We gaze at Goat Mountain and wishing the
whole world could know the peace and beauty of this place.
In the quiet of all this serenity, we suddenly know that we are not
alone, and that we have been watched as we hike this trail. High
above us we hear the scream of an Eagle. She soars on the wind
currents and never misses a trick. Her eyes are sharp and bright.
She is our National Emblem since 1782. She is a large bird and can
weigh up to 15 pounds. With a wing span of 6 to 8 feet. If all goes
well, she could live for 40 years .
We sit here and enjoy our view and this lovely opportunity to share
it with this symbol of our great country.
The next time you visit our Glacier National Park, consider taking
this hike. It will give you memories to recall for many years.
About Otokomi Lake was written by Verna Parks.
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