Timberline and Gertrude Lakes is a 9.8 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Red Lodge, Montana that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, fishing, and backpacking and is best used from May until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
December 7, 2020Perfect place for backcountry camping. Was there in October. Trail was clear but very cold at night. Make sure you have warm gear if you camp around that time of year.
October 7, 2020It’s a nice hike cross some neat streams on the way. Lake was jumping with fish.
September 26, 2020September 6, 2020Gorgeous! Pretty constant up there but not too strenuous and the views at the end make every step worth it.
August 23, 2020This was an easy, well maintained trail that meanders to a couple of beautiful lakes. The burn area makes for a lot of exposure but other than that it’s a very nice hike. Keep an eye out for wildlife, I had a bear in my camp when I got up in the morning.
August 17, 2020Initial 3 miles has no shade, nice trail once you get past the burnout. We ended up very sunburned despite putting on sunscreen (missed a few spots). Bring plenty of water. Both the lakes are beautiful. Fish were very active in both lakes.
August 7, 2020July 30, 2020Trail was in good condition. Uphill for about the first 1.5-2 miles then evens out. Grass near lake is boggy so bring waterproof shoes to get the full experience and explore once you get there. Only recorded one way
July 29, 2020Nice trail. Good elevation gain in the first mile or so through a burnout area. Then levels out a bit and is quite scenic all the way up. The lake is gorgeous.
July 28, 2020Fantastic trail- easy incline the entire way. NO SHADE for the first 3.5 miles. Bugs at the lake (bring Deet), but phenomenal views! Clear water. Fish jumping. Lake was well worth the hike.
July 24, 2020The trail in is almost entirely uphill with a mild to moderate incline. It has been well maintained, no overgrowth issues, but rocky. Traffic was light. I was out there roughly 4 hours and ran into only 2 small groups of people. Did not see much for wildlife, but encountered many beautiful wildflowers along the way. At almost exactly 2 miles in you will want to veer off to the left of the trail and check out the crystal clear mountain stream. If you're looking for a moderately challenging, 1/2 day hike this one is fun!
July 5, 2020Great hike. Went on 7.4.20. Snow at the summit but non down by the lake. Saw a moose near the river. Good fishing (though the Brookies were only about 6-8 inches long). Overall not too tough and a nice trip!
June 28, 2020First part of the trail is the hardest. Minimal shade in the burn. Worth the hike though!
June 24, 2020The view is worth it. The first part is the most difficult. Have to walk over logs to get across some creeks & streams. There’s a smaller lake you’ll see, this ain’t it, keep going! . Maybe another half mile. It’s beautiful.
June 5, 2020Clear trails until about 3 miles in. Most of the trail was still snow covered at that point, so a little difficult to find your way. Made it about 3.5 miles in and ran into a river that we couldn’t cross, so we didn’t quite make it to the lakes.
May 10, 2020Trail was closed this morning due to heavy snowfall. Would probably wait maybe a couple weeks or so before trying again.
October 13, 2019Still able to get to the lake, it was an awesome hike and is still accessible without snow shoes but the last 1.5 makes it easier if you do use some!
September 14, 2019Rocky with elevation! Enjoy!
August 25, 2019Timberline Lake is stunningly beautiful. Pictures cannot do it justice.
August 25, 2019August 20, 2019Great trail and weather conditions today. Nature's best snack food enjoyed on the path teeming with ripe raspberries and huckelberries during the first mile.
August 18, 2019Beautiful hike! You start going up fairly quickly for about 1.3 miles. Then it gets easier. The fire damage makes it look enchanted. Wildflowers abound on the forest floor. When you get to about 9000’ the forest is back. The Gertrude lake is quaint but the views of Timberlake are breathtaking!
August 7, 2019Beautiful lake! Gertrude is fine but Timberline is amazing. Don't be deterred by the 3 miles of burned forest you have to walk through, each way, it's worth it. The burned area, much to my surprise, had its own beauty. We saw two bull moose at 1 mile in. Kids (4 and 9) had a blast playing in the stream and lake for a couple of hours. Only saw a dozen other people all day.
July 22, 2019Great hike the 1st mile is a grind definitely glad I went early on a cooler day. No bear sign saw 24 people and 6 dogs mostly as I was coming down. Great views at the lakes and saw some fish cruising by as I walked the banks. Highly recommended
July 13, 2019July 8, 2019This is a decent trail that must be done in mild weather as most of it is in the burn out area. The trail is relatively rocky, so going down could be rough on those with bad knees or ankles. There is a relatively hard/long log crossing that can only be done by a bit more agile/skilled hikers when the water is high. The lake view is worth the hike for sure. BREATHTAKING. As with most Lakes in this area...it does not disappoint!
