Johns Lake

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Waterfall

At the Johns Lake TH, no loop is mentioned. This portion of Johns Lake trail is an up-and-back. According to The Glacier Visitor Guide, you access TH from the east side of Going to the Sun Road. 1.3 miles north of the Lake McDonald Lodge. The signage states the trail is 0.5 miles long. You'll come across two areas that have Ys.

The first Y is not marked at all, you stay to the right to get to the lake. The second Y is marked. The left for the horse trail and the right tells you to return the way to came to continue to Johns Lake (incorrect).

The signage to get you around the loop (the Visitor Guide states is 2.0 miles) is mostly missing. There's nothing on the Johns Lake trail (up and back) that lets you know you have to cross Going to the Sun Road to get over to Upper McDonald Creek to do a loop. Once on Upper McDonald Creek, there is no signage to get you back across the road to complete the loop.

Great trail run.

This short trail takes you from the bridge over McDonald Creek where it looks at Sacred Dancing Cascade and heads up into the dark forest. This is the furthest inland Pacific rainforest composed of cedars, hemlock and covered in moss. This forest is beautiful with a high canopy and wanders to the shores of the quiet pocket lake frequented by waterfowl.

This trail is often started at the Johns Lake Loop Trailhead, then paired with the Upper McDonald Creek Trail.

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 run.

Trillium and violets in early spring gives way to calypso orchids in early summer. Various waterfowl frequent Johns Lake while harlequin ducks and american dippers are frequently seen on McDonald Creek.