Lincoln Creek

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · River/Creek · Wildlife

Bring bear spray. The trail is strenuous but runnable.

This trail takes off from the South Boundary Trail at the Lincoln Creek Cabin and heads up towards Lincoln Lake. It initially spends time in a nice forest along the creek, then quickly breaks out into a burn area. This offers little protection from the sun, but gives you nice views of the surrounding hillsides and impressive mountains particularly at the head of the drainage.

You'll spend a lot of time along little shelves and banks of the creek which you'll ford three times. This trail isn't as maintained as much as other trails in Glacier National Park, so expect downed trees and some erosion from banks. Eventually, you'll reach older stands of trees and a much wetter environment, where you'll intersect the Lincoln Lake Trail.

This trail is accessed by either taking the South Boundary Trail from West Glacier or fording the Middle Fork Flathead River which is usually high and dangerous in the spring. It's also advised to bring bear spray.

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.

The creek as well as the borders of burned areas and older stands of trees create great habitat for wildlife. This area is popular with elk which can be heard in the fall when in rut when the colors are popping. Forest birds abound.