Glacier National Park Quartz Lake Loop

Glacier National Park
Quartz Lake Loop – 12.8 miles round trip

The Trailhead is located at Bowman Lake on the south side of the boat launch.

This is a strenuous hike over a loop trail. We take the preferred route, hiking toward Quartz Lake Campground, turning left at the junction about one-quarter mile into the hike.

The early morning air feels good and we enjoy hearing the birds as we hike along the lakeshore. Fluffy clouds dot the sky promising good weather for the day. After crossing Bowman Creek on a footbridge we soon come to the junction where we turn toward Quartz Lake Campground. The trail gradually climbs up Cerulean Ridge through a thick-cool forest. Thimbleberry brush is in bloom along the trail and we wonder if the mushrooms in the forest are edible. As we reach the crest of Cerulean Ridge, we stop and relax for a time and watch a hawk circling below the ridge crest searching for its next meal. This is a quiet place except for the soft breeze in the tree branches.

The trail follows the ridge and then drops into the Quartz Creek area and enters the Red Bench Fire landscape, which burned in 1988. Some of the Larch trees survived the fire and stand tall over the new growth. From here we can see all the surrounding mountains, plus Middle Quartz Lake, Quartz Lake and Lower Quartz Lake. Descending the ridge we arrive at Quartz Lake Campground where we take our lunch break on the beach and enjoy the view of beautiful mountains and the lake. Other hikers have set up camp for a day or two of quiet solitude.

Leaving the camp area the Quartz Creek Trail to the right takes us past Middle Quartz Lake. Hiking along the lake, a footbridge takes us over Quartz Creek at the end of the lake where we begin the long climb over Quartz Ridge through the Red Bench Fire burn area. At the top of the ridge is an excellent view of the mountains and we rest for a while to take it all in. After leaving the ridge the trail heads downhill through Bowman Valley where the deep-cool forest leads us to the end of our hike. We meet some hikers, with packs, just beginning their hike and discuss some of the trail highlights with them and tell them there are many backcountry camp areas available for an overnight stay.

Glacier National Park Information and Pictures
Subscribe To Be On The Weekly Mailing List For New Pages	Comments & Suggestions Write To Us Here	Glacier National Park is the Place To Be

Patriotic Gifts
DeerLake Store

DeerLake Store

Russ Berrie, Teddy Bears from the Past Collection.
Wonder mugs (Amazing how the colors change when adding hot liquid).
Winter Hat and Scarf Sets, fleece warm and cozy.
Family Holybears inspirational Family bears with a message for every occasion.
Holy Angel Bears inspirational Angel bears with a message for every angel occasion.
Community Service Holybears inspirational community bears with a message for every occasion.
Travel Blankets the perfect take-along for any outdoor activity.
Outback Hats available in all canvas or canvas with navy color under the brim.

	Glacier National Park is located in the northwest corner of Montana, just north of Columbia Falls. The park encompasses more than one million acres and is home to grizzly bear, moose, elk, along with 63 varieties of wild mammals. While most of the roads in Glacier National Park are closed off during the winter, this provides miles and miles of tracks for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Visitors are seldom around in the dead of winter, so the muffled hush of the snow covered woods is especially enticing and serene. A ski or snowshoe trip along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is one of the most scenic roads in North America, is a great option, according to park rangers. The road is closed to cars from September or October until snowmelt, usually in June. Several short hiking trails branch off from the road, which would be excellent for snowshoeing or skiing in the winter season. Once you have your gear, head up to Glacier National Park for an exciting adventure. Guided snowshoe trips are available, led by a park naturalist, and are highly recommended. If you are looking for an informative tour, snowshoeing is an easy way to explore the winter wonderland of this unique park. Snowshoeing will provide even the novice an effortless activity so your senses are more in tune with your environment and your guide's knowledge on the history, wildlife, geology, and biology of this precious ecosystem.
	Current Conditions In Glacier National Park	Horses In Glacier National Park
My Trip Through Glacier National Park	Glaciers in Glacier National Park	Wild Flowers In Glacier National Park	New Bus Transit System	Biking In Glacier National Park
Fishing In Glacier	History Of Glacier Park History in Names	Animals in Glacier	Red Buses Of Glacier	Hiking In Glacier