Lower Lake Fork Trail to September Mom Lake is a 13.9 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Red Lodge, Montana that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
January 27, 2021January: I easily could have walked this packed snow trail in regular hiking boots. Tired grumpy 57-year old loved this beautiful trail - first several miles virtually no elevation gain - and left less grumpy.
October 17, 2020Stunning scenery, nice little creek. No wildlife sightings, though the park ranger told us there was a family of moose in the area. I'd rate this on the easy end of moderate, for what it's worth. Didn't make it all the way to the lake since the sun was falling behind the mountain and it was snowy and cold. Otherwise, I'd do this route as an "intro" to hiking at elevation again any day!
October 7, 2020Wonderful!! My dog got overheated so we stopped just under the steep switchbacks.
September 20, 2020September 5, 2020
September 4, 2020July 18, 2020Absolutely spectacular hike! You will pass the turn off on the left for Lost Lake, and then pass the turn off for Keyser Lake. Continue up the hill and the trail just gets better and better (although steeper!). Lots of wild flowers, amazing views looking down on various lakes and plenty of water access for pups. The lake itself is also gorgeous! Trailhead sign from Lake Fork Trail No. 1 says it is 8 miles to September Morn. We were booking it and made the out and back in under 5 hours.
September 7, 2019Great hike we went from Lake fork trail head up to September Morn lake where we dropped our packs and set up camp. Then we hiked up the Sundance pass sans packs. The view at the top was breathtaking. The hike up the pass was actually easier than I expected for the looks of the switchbacks on the map. Easy hike back down to camp. There was great camping along the lake and we were the only ones there (early September) overall the trail was not too difficult and was well marked and not too rugged (compared to most the Absarokee Bearthooths).
July 29, 2019This is a must do hike, it has beautiful scenery throughout and many off route adventures as well! Spectacular hike!
April 14, 2019Great trail for snowshoeing! Good snow cover. Some of the trail gets a bit narrow and steep, but it is easy to go off and snowshoe along the river for a bit and then rejoin the trail. Saw plenty of animal tracks crossing the trail so keep an eye out.
August 31, 2018Nice hike but there is no sign off main trail to Lake. I was able to use the AllTrails App map to show me the exact place to turn left. Otherwise I might not have been able to find it.
June 19, 2018Unfortunately we headed down river at the start of this trail instead of upriver & so cannot do a relevant review. However we did trek 14k out & back in total & it was a very picturesque trek. We had the river rapids for company the whole way & stopped half way for a picnic lunch on a rock with lovely vista. No sign of any bears although we did have beat spray at the ready.
May 29, 2018Family hike was great was no sweat would go again!1
August 2, 2017What a beautiful trail! We hit the trailhead around 8:00 am on an unusually cool and clear August morning and enjoyed breathtaking views on the way up to Broadwater Lake. My MapMyRun app measured 3.9 miles in. We decided to explore Lost Lake which added another 2-3 miles and two hours to our hike. The clouds formed around us and we saw limited views due to the rolling fog. But it is a beautiful lake with two small islands. We had a few stream crossings over logs or large rocks. Watch for a few waterfalls. All total, MapMyRun measured 11.5 miles in about 5 hours, not counting stops. I really appreciate how the AllTrails app allows you to see where you are on the trail even without the Internet. Very useful when trying to find Lost Lake!
July 31, 2017I searched day hikes around Red Lodge and this one came up. I didn't plan on it being as great as it was. We didn't prepare for rough terrain so it being easy worked out. Besides it being very scenic we also saw a couple moose. It's busy with dogs and family's which I think is great. Perfect day hike.
July 29, 2017Love this trail. Scenery is great. Stream has trout begging to be caught. Elevation gain is slow so the hiking is easy.
July 27, 2017Easy, meandering trail that follows the river with gorgeous views of the mountains. Go in at least 3.7 miles to the meadow and "lake."
July 25, 2017Very nice hike. We hiked to Lost lake( 11 miles r/t, 2.5 hours in, 2 hours out, 1500 ft vertical). Roaring stream with wild flowers. There were about a dozen people on trail with a couple horses. Well worth the doing.
July 3, 2017We hiked 4 miles in - nice trail and beautiful scenery. Passed some horses - and lots of other hikers. Can see the river for most of the hike.
February 18, 2017Oh my goodness, do not do this hike in the winter it is bruutaalll. My legs are in pain. Otherwise it is a absolutely beautiful hike.
October 16, 2016Me and my wife took our daughter there and it was beautiful nice easy hike a lot of fun will definitely be doing it again
October 1, 2016Great trail on a nice warm fall day! Even got to see a moose and her calf.
September 18, 2016Beautiful fall day hike!!
August 21, 2016Nice Saturday hike. Lots of people. Beautiful white water streams. Did 8.5 mile hike (out and back).
August 21, 2016Lost Lake is one of my personal favorite places in Montana. This hike is easy but is a 10 mile round trip. Very little elevation change and not that challenging. Beware of wildlife as I had a angry cow moose chase me once and stories of hungry black bears going through parking lot cars.
August 8, 2016So fun, saw a bear and a moose! The trail was easy to follow, some blind sports around corners. Just be aware of your surroundings and what they post on the bulletin boards.
July 3, 2016Beautiful morning hike! The water was beautiful, and finding the waterfalls on the mountains was a fantastic surprise and became a great scavenger hunt. Broadwater lake was 3.5 in and 3.5 back out.
June 20, 2016Broadwater is a great hike with kids. My favorite spot is further up at Kaiser Brown. If you time it right the wild flowers are amazing. By far one of my favorite trails!
June 6, 2016Easy day hike. Beautiful trail of you want to go to the mountains for a couple hours. Following the creek the whole way. I've seen a moose and a coyote on this trail on separate occasions.
