Jenny Lake via Doris Creek Trail

I did the Doris Creek Trail and then took the trail up to Jenny Lake on 9-27-20. Doris Creek Trail runs into Alpine Trail 7 a little beyond where Alltrails shows Doris Creek ending. Make a left there... when I was there there were lots of motorcycle tracks but Alpine Trail 7 is not marked. A few hundred feet up on Alpine Trail 7, you can see where you can bear right and up. Follow that trail up and you will end up at Jenny Lake. Again, I followed the motorcycle tracks. On my way back down I noticed a couple of small bluffs/viewpoints just off the trail. I made my way over (you can see it on my track) and was rewarded with nice unobstructed views. All in all a nice hike but really only if you add Jenny Lake. The Doris Creek Trail is definitely moderate but I would say that the relatively short section to Jenny Lake is a bit more strenuous.

9/5/20 Like other reviewers mentioned, following this trail up to Jenny Lake is absolutely amazing. The trail begins with a pretty tame and steady incline up into a forest with very cool views of Great Northern as you proceed. The reviewer below me did a great job explaining the full route there. We passed a couple of respectful bikers but were completely alone at the lake. Really fun trail that isnt too exhausting or long, I highly recommend!

The Doris Creek Trail is lovely, lots of wildflowers right now and gorgeous views of Great Northern. I highly recommend putting in the extra effort to continue to Jenny Lake. I could find very little info on how to get there, so last week I decided to take the advice of 2 of the 3 reviews I read and took a right at the T (Alpine Tr. 7). This is NOT the way to Jenny Lake, but after about 2-2.5 miles, you cross over to the other side of the ridge and have glorious views of the river and Columbia Falls on the left, and you pass by the Doris Lakes on the right. This part of the trail is very rutted from dirt bikes and not amazing for hiking but the views were worth it. This week, I took a left at the T and was rewarded big-time (left at the T, then right when the trail splits again, up the ridge and then it opens up into glorious views of the lake). Beautiful little alpine lake so clear you can see the fish swimming in it and breathtaking views into Glacier Park from the top of the ridge. I saw no one on my way up and was at the lake for 2 hours by myself. Saw two hikers and 3 dirt bikers on my way down. Lots of huckleberries and thimbleberries on the trail. It was less than 5 miles from the trailhead to the lake. Will definitely be hiking this again.

Great views everywhere. Seen plenty of beautiful views and even an alpine lake.

Another beautiful day in Montana! Trail is in great shape, a few muddy areas and water crossing. Bring sunscreen and bug spray. Areas of no shade and lots of flies, mosquitos. Access road is dusty but in great shape for any vehicle. Limited parking area. We saw no animals but lots of signs they are there, scat, bear hair on the bushes.

Gorgeous hike! It is a bit more exposed than you think...sunscreen is a great idea. Also pretty buggy! Beautiful views of Great Northern and lots of wildflowers blooming right now as well!

This is a great trail. While you can access dorris mountain from this trail, Jenny lake is a shorter and beautiful option. With no clear directions along the trail, go to the left when you reach the only trail sign. Then continue for another 500 yards until you reach a wet area of the trail. Then scramble up the trail for 0.5 of a mile and you will reach a beautiful alpine lake with fish and beautiful views.

We came across a lot of (super lovely) motorized bikers on the narrow 7 trail to the lake so that with the overwhelming mosquitoes — we didn’t make it all the way to the lake. If we lived closer I’d go back because this girl loves an alpine lake. Also wish the sign posted said anything about the lake. I had a memory of someone saying go right but with three kids and two dogs and a late start with a blustery afternoon we didn’t take the chance. No hucks but tons of great wildflowers and lovely views and some water for the dogs along the way. Easy enough for my youngest kid. An 8-year old who makes bad shoe choices.

So I will break it down, when you get to the “T” in the trail take a right!! The main attraction to this trail is Jenny Lake which is a grunt to get up. After taking a right at the “T” you will make a pretty strenuous climb before making a slight descent into the lake. We saw a moose, no bear scat, but definitely in bear territory. Hope you all have fun, I wish they would change the name to Jenny Lake Trl. rather than Dorris Cr. Trl.

This is pretty much just a workout hike. no destination (lake, mt. view) per the description. At the end, the trail comes to a T intersection with no information where this leads. We passed hikers on our way down that said if you go right at the T for a mile and a half it leads to Jenny Lake and two small Doris Lakes for fishing. That would be useful information to include in the trail description, but that makes it about 5 miles one way to a lake, but at least you can camp and have a destination per se, rather than just a long uphill slog with little in the way of panoramic views. Lots of scat, but no bear/cat sightings. Some huckleberries. Would not do this hike again.