Strawberry Lake Trail No. 5 is a 6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Kalispell, Montana that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail.
The Strawberry Lake Trail is a multiple use trail (Horse, Biker, Hiker) leading to the Alpine #7 north of the Jewel Basin at Strawberry Lake. The hike is strenuous and includes many switchbacks. The Strawberry Lake Trail is a steeper demanding climb with multiple switchbacks ending at Strawberry Lake, which is situated just north of the Jewel Basin Hiking Area. The trail is shared by mountain bikers, horses, and motorized recreation vehicles too.
There is an open area for parking at the trail head, there is no facilities and no body monitors the parking area
From State Highway 83:Turn on to Echo Lake Road and follow 2.2 miles to a Y. Turn Right on to Foothill Road continue past the Jewel Basin Road on pavement for approximately 3.7 miles until reaching the Krause Creek Road (FS# 5390) on the Right. Follow Krause about 3 miles to the Strawberry Lake Trailhead.
November 1, 2020Loved the hike today (temps hit 50 in Kalispell). Sun and 43 degrees when I started. Glad I brought my poles as the last mile (west side of the mountain) still had 6”-8” of snow. It had melted some and refrozen, so there are definite icy spots. The lake is about 90% frozen -pretty solid near the edges. Gorgeous views of the Flathead Valley and Flathead Lake. It was a perfect hiking day. I will hike this trail again.
October 24, 2020Hiked on Saturday, Oct 24 after considerable snowfall in the flathead valley. 2-4 inches on the ground at the trailhead was 12-16+ at the top. Constant incline and switchbacks from the trailhead, about the time it started to level out...the snow got very deep. Completed the hike to the lake just before 15:30. The last .25mi was untracked approx 16+ inches deep of snow, cold and tough in all-season boots. The view of the lake is gorgeous. A quicker trip down, Yaktrax or equiv recommended to complete this trail in the late season, wish I had poles and winter boots.
October 18, 2020Amazing hike in the snow with beautiful views! About 2 inches at the trailhead, and about 9-12 inches at times along the last stretch before the lake. Deer tracks and sightings, no bears. About 90 minutes up and 50 minutes down.
October 16, 2020
October 14, 2020October 8, 2020Beautiful topography & landscape! Super fun relaxing by the lake at the 1/2 way point.
October 7, 2020I clocked 5.82 + 1639 feet incline. Nice gradual incline and beautiful sights all the way. Money shot at the end when the lake comes into view! Gorgeous clean water. No bear sightings for me :(
October 3, 2020Fun and a nice day to ride!!!
September 27, 2020September 22, 2020Loved this hike! Hiked on Monday, September 21, 2020. The google trailhead location is accurate. We were the first car in the “parking lot” at 10:00 am. When we left at about 1:00 pm, there were 3 or 4 other cars present. We are two mid-30 yr. olds who walk 3-4 miles a day and go to the gym 3-4 times a week. We did find the trail to be steep, but very doable with some pacing and a few water breaks. The lake at the end is beautiful and perfectly clear. If you can, pack a long-sleeve shirt or vest, if not hiking in one already, because the wind off the lake is chilly. The return was obviously much faster as the majority is downhill.
September 21, 2020September 20, 2020Great trail! Elevation gain wasn’t bad; it levels out pretty regularly for a quick break. Last mile-ish is pretty level so that was really nice! Really great views of the whole valley on the way up. Lake was really pretty too, and my dog appreciated a quick dip after the trek up! I went on a Sunday in mid/late September and an overcast day. Plenty of parking available at 10:30 when I arrived and 2 pm when I left. Walked past several groups on my way up and back, lots of people had dogs and many were solo-hikers like myself. No signs of bears today!
September 19, 2020September 17, 2020Nice trail. Saw only one other group. Probably would have been super beautiful if not for the smoke, but the lake at the end of the hike was still worth it. Bear prints (smaller size/black bear??) at the lake but no sightings.
September 15, 2020Niice lake hike and great way to avoid the crowds. We only saw one other couple hiking on it. Beautiful views that unfortunately were limited due to the smokey air from the fires out west.
September 13, 2020It was fun with mike Kristin Lynnzee and Eli
September 12, 2020Pretty good ascend. Not too crowded, but there are dirt bikers and the trail is very narrow. Saw a black bear on my way down.
September 12, 2020Nice lake and hike. Got to the trailhead at 8:00am on a Saturday and there were 3 cars there. Saw only one other group on the way to the lake and three on the way back down.
September 11, 2020We got there around 8 and there were only two cars in the lot. When we got back around 11am, the lot was completely full on a Saturday. Although there are steep moments on the trail, it flattens out so there are lots of moments for you to be able to catch your breath. When you reach the lake, there’s a lot of bushes around the area that makes the scenery to the lake open up like you’re in some kind of wonderland! Highly recommend the hike :)
September 9, 2020Breathtakingly beautiful
September 8, 2020All of the elevations gain is basically the first 2 miles. It is tough but totally doable. Lots of areas to stop for a break if needed with a great view of the valley! There are definitely prettier lakes in the area but this one has the bonus of proximity to town! If I were a local I would use this trail often! No bears today.
September 7, 2020September 4, 2020August 29, 2020Beautiful hike! The last two time we’ve done this hike we have seen a black bear so make sure you bring your bear spray with you!
August 29, 2020I loved this hike. We did it early in the morning. Pounded up on an hour and a half. The lower section is very steep! But the lake in the early morning was gorgeous. Worth every step.
August 29, 2020Absolutely stunning! If you can make it to the flat area, you’ve made it! And the lake is the perfect end for a snack before turning around. Not crowded, but was nice to see others on the trail. Take bug and bear spray.
August 26, 2020Trail was pretty steep the first two miles, and then mellowed out until the lake! Even mix of sun and shade. Nice trail, well maintained with lots of nice views! Only complaint was that we found lots of broken glass up at the lake. If you pack it in, pack it out!!
August 26, 2020Wow, what a thigh burner! We searched “Strawberry Lake Trailhead” on Waze and it took us to the correct trailhead, road 5390. It’s about 3 miles up a gravel/dirt road by car to the small trailhead. Only one other car there by 8 am when we arrived. The hike is basically straight up with several switchbacks for 2.8 miles followed by leveling and heavy vegetation for the last 0.5 miles. It was actually 3.3 total miles one way from the trailhead to the lake. Beautiful green-blue coloring. Take a brief walk up a side path to the right of the lake to get a gorgeous overlook of the lake. Great workout, and bring lots of water!
