Howe Lake Trail

Howe Lake Trail is an out-and-back of about 3.9 miles round trip, with roughly 240 feet of climbing on a mostly gradual path from Inside North Fork Road to the lower lake. Plan on two to two-and-a-half hours, with more time if you linger at the water. This is a low-elevation outing rather than a summit hike; its payoff is the lakeshore, lily pads and filtered mountain views.

The path climbs gently through a mix of burned and unburned forest. Sun breaks through standing snags, bringing wildflowers and glimpses of the Livingston Range and Heavens Peak between the trees. Late-July visitors have found especially colorful flowers, though the display varies. The open stretches have little shade and can feel hot on a sunny day.

The trail reaches the lower of two lakes joined by a marshy channel. Lily pads dot the water. The path continues beyond the shore, but adds only distant views of the second lake; the mapped hike turns around at the lower lake. Common loons nest on the more protected upper lake. From the shore, put lily pads in the foreground to catch the reflections and the far shoreline together.

The trailhead is a small parking area on Inside North Fork Road between Fish Creek and Camas Creek. The approach is a long dirt-and-gravel drive, and the lot has limited space; a visitor estimated about six vehicles. Check current NPS road access before setting out. Pets are not allowed on Glacier trails. This is grizzly country, so keep bear spray accessible and know how to use it.