Montana Trip April-May

Wonderful trip from foot of Bowman to one night at Head of Bowman campsite to one night at Brown one night at Hole in the Wall then back to Head of Bowman for last night then out. No bugs. Perfect temperature. Last 2 miles climb to Brown pass was brutal. So worth it as Hole in the Wall is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been!

Backcountry trail review from 9/18. Most reviews here are for day hikes, I’ll give some detail for the trail further up. This is an awesome backcountry trail and the views get better the further you go. The first 6 or so miles are wooded with limited views of the lake and also crowded. The lake is incredible, especially if you get to the backcountry campground 6-7 miles in. There’s a great rock beach there and a great campsite. Continuing in to brown pass is another 6 miles with about 2k in gain. It’s a great workout and nothing ridiculous, but still difficult. Once you get to a mile from brown pass the views are great looking back and the habitat increasingly becomes bear territory. Continue on from brown pass CG to hole in the wall for epic views. Brown Pass CG is not a good campsite, limited water and views. Good shelter from the wind however. We cAmped there after getting turned around by 3 grizzlies a mile into the hole in the wall trail. Will be back someday!

This trail probably needs a second and separate write up because the trail starts from the campground and is a very easy, enjoyable hike around the Northwest part of the lake. The road to the lake is not paved so be sure your vehicle can take a gravel road. It's well maintained but still a bit bumpy. We hiked about 2 miles out and enjoyed lots of little chipmunks, birds, squirrels and gorgeous views of the lake. We stopped and had a snack then returned to the campground parking lot. Lovely trail for all ages. Easy parking. Be sure to stop at Polebridge General Store on the way for delicious Huckleberry Bear Claws.

Great trail around the lake. We only made it 2 miles in because it was getting dark. On the way back I tripped and fell and a group of backpackers came upon us. One of them was a PA and helped me clean my deep cut and bandage it up. Very lucky we ran into them. Thank you if you happen to see this!

Rolling hills, chipmunks, one osprey sighting. At about 3 miles in you get past the bulk of other hikers

Hiked 5.5 mi round trip. Lake beautiful quite and serene. Saw lots of fresh bear scat, heard from many hikers coming back that they had seen a black bear, we did not. Warning: long dirt road in. Worth the drive for the peaceful moments in GNP.

Don’t camp at flat top. Very exposed extremely strenuous hike up without any reward for your effort. SUPER dusty, windy, no views, desolate area of burned forest. Avoid this

We didn’t go too far on the trail but the lake was beautiful and quite a bit more secluded then the rest of GNP. Make sure to stop into Polebridge on your way, the food is worth it.

Did a little out and back, peaceful along the lake

Gorgeous sights peacefull but some bears

Most beautiful hike I’ve ever been on. Especially near Brown pass

Hiked 8/3. Was about the second group there around 7:45. The lake was unbelievably quiet and still. We heard a loon calling and the echoes off the mountainsides. Only able to do a little of the trail and saw some recent bear scat. For our group the 20 minutes of silence and stillness was worth the drive up on its own. The drive and the stop in Polebridge made this a memorable morning!

Saw a black bear on the road into the lake. Only did about 1.5 mi up the trail due to time constraints. Lake is more beautiful than McDonald and seemed less crowded. The blue-tinged glacial water is beautiful and so clear.

Trail is open. Nice easy stroll - less of a hike. Very limited parking. Loved Polebridge Merchantile.

For the record, we only hiked 3.0 miles out and back on Bowman Lake. It was not a very memorable hike. While the path is adjacent to the lake, there are surprisingly few views from the path. The trail was overgrown. If you are planning to do the 26 mile hike, I would rely on other reviews. I do agree that you need to stop by the General Store in Polebridge and try a Huckleberry Bear Claw.

This is a nice section of the park. I camped at the Bowman Lake Campsite for a backpacking trip. We took Bowman to Brown Pass, Boulder Pass, Lake Francis and back out at Bowman. I wouldn't hike this trail just for Bowman Lake. I would recommend it for a larger backpacking itinerary. You won't regret going to Lake Francis and/or Boulder Pass. Thats some of the best hiking I've done in any National Park. If you do make it to Bowman Lake, stop at the Polebridge General Store and get a Bear Claw. It's basically a huckleberry filled pastry, but its fantastic.

#1- canoed to mouth of creek... trail head is just to the left of the creek. #2- trail is not super well-maintained, disappears in many spots and there are a lot of downed trees. #3- Recording only goes 200 vertical feet shy of actual peak (conditions were not great the day of recording). #4- Recording is only one way follow the same route to get back down but double the time and distance.

Great easy hike. You can go as far as you want since it’s an out and back - we did 5 miles each way. There are paths down to the lake in some areas to swim or have a nice lunch. Trail was a bit overgrown in spots. For the drive, there were rough gravel roads most of the way to get there.

Great trail. Make sure to detour to hole in the wall and Boulder Peak. Lake Francis is out of this world also.

Bowman lake trail to Hole in the Wall. Great views toward the end

Hike from paved campground trailhead to Bowman Lake campground. Very level & runs along lake edge

Really nice view. Little muddy in spots and there’s some bugs if you stop.