Glacier National Park, MT
A rough ridge traverse where route-finding matters as much as climbing.
Overview
Howe Ridge is an 11.6-mile, one-way point-to-point hike from the marked Inside North Fork Road access north of Fish Creek to Trout Lake Trailhead. The route follows Howe Ridge, then takes the West Lakes Trail connector to its northern road end. Allow about nine hours and arrange transport at both ends; this is a remote, full-day outing for hikers who are comfortable navigating beyond a consistently maintained path.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs this the hike for you?Map & elevation
Plan your hike
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Glacier Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Glacier National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Glacier audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Howe Ridge Trailhead“You're coming up on Howe Ridge Trailhead, where a remote ridge traverse offers glimpses of Lake McDonald through fire-scarred trees.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Glacier Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“Our first time to glacier and we used the audio portion for Going to the Sun Road. Wonderful information with perfect advice of what to see and do along the road.”
Trail guide
The trail is described as maintained near its ends, but the long middle is infrequently maintained and requires serious route-finding. Expect overgrown tread, fallen trees, washed-out sections and possible creek fords; the path may not be obvious when it matters most. Carry reliable offline navigation and leave room for slow travel. The mapped line climbs roughly 2,900 feet and drops about 3,100 feet across the traverse.
Howe Ridge rises above Lake McDonald, with lake and mountain views appearing through standing fire-scarred trees and newer growth. The 2018 Howe Ridge Fire burned nearly 15,000 acres along the lake's north shore and overlapped the earlier Robert Fire burn. Pocket ponds, grasses and snags make the open burned stretches distinct; the pond framed by fire-killed trunks is the route's strongest photo stop.
Start at the southern access on Inside North Fork Road, north of Fish Creek, and finish at Trout Lake Trailhead on North McDonald Road. No shuttle serves these roads, so arrange a second vehicle or other transport before setting out. Dogs are not allowed on Glacier National Park trails. Check the park's current road and trail status before the hike, since access and natural hazards can change.
Wildlife
404 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
11 sightingsWolverineMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
1,173 sightingsMountain GoatMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
1,000 sightingsBighorn SheepMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
395 sightingsMooseMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
506 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 8 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Glacier. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
EasyRocky Point Nature Trail1.8 mi · 1.3 hr · 1.3 mi awayA lakeside loop to Rocky Point and its mountain views.
EasyFish Creek Bike Path1.2 mi · 30 min · 2.1 mi awayA short, mostly level path through the woods to Fish Creek.
ChallengingHuckleberry Lookout Trail12 mi · 7.5 hr · 2.6 mi awayA long climb to a historic fire lookout and open ridgeline views.
ChallengingSnyder Ridge Trail12.6 mi · 9 hr · 2.6 mi awayHard miles in the trees, with Fish Lake waiting near the end.
EasyHowe Lake Trail3.9 mi · 2.3 hr · 3.1 mi awayA mellow walk to lily pads and filtered mountain views
EasyApgar Bike Path3 mi · 1.2 hr · 3.1 mi awayFlat, shaded pavement links Apgar Village with Park Headquarters.
ModerateCamas Creek Trail7.1 mi · 4 hr · 4 mi awayCreekside miles lead to Rogers Meadow and the Trout Lake junction.
ModerateRogers Meadow Trail6.3 mi · 2.5 hr · 4 mi awayCamas Creek bends across a broad meadow beneath rugged peaks.
Campground · 1.6 mi awayFish Creek CampgroundA wooded west-side base with seasonal showers and Lake McDonald access.Sight · 1.6 mi awayRocky PointA short shore walk opens broad views across Lake McDonald.
Picnic area · 1.7 mi awayFish Creek Picnic AreaA short stop for Lake McDonald’s rocky shore and picnic tables
Lodging · 2.8 mi awayVillage Inn at ApgarA 36-room lakeside inn where every room faces Lake McDonald.
Lodging · 2.9 mi awayApgar Village Lodge & CabinsSleep beside Lake McDonald in cabins or simple motel rooms.
Sight · 2.9 mi awayApgar VillageFood, boats and lake access share the west shore.
Sight · 2.9 mi awayApgar Nature CenterTouch animal pelts and build mountains in a 1929 Apgar cabin.
Picnic area · 2.9 mi awayApgar Picnic AreaA shaded picnic stop with Lake McDonald in front.Parkwolf’s Glacier ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
