Akokala Lake

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

This would be a strenuous route, though runnable.

Starting at the foot of Bowman Lake, you'll first have to work your way into the campground to find the trailhead to Akokala Lake. The trail works its way up and over a low saddle along Numa Ridge. The trail is wooded and follows through a pleasant forest, although the dense tree cover makes this route short on views.

You'll crest the ridge top, and have a few sparse views through the trees. As you descend the ridge towards Akokala Creek, you encounter the burn that went through the area, which means that views begin to open up. You cross the creek on a bridge and work your way up the drainage towards the lake. The valley narrows and you get into an older, unburned forest and arrive at the quaint little lake.

The lake is nestled tightly in the drainage which gives it a cozy feeling, but looks up to some of Glacier's rocky summits including one of the six 10,000 ft summits, Kintla Peak.

This content was created by Jake Bramante of Hike 734. Visit hike734.com for more expert Glacier content and maps that help you decide which trail to hike.

Great variety of forest flowers including Indian Paintbrush, Camas, Arnica, etc. Birding is great and whitetail are common.