Quartz Lake Loop Trail

Route Description for Quartz Lake Loop Trail

Exploring Quartz Lake Loop Trail will engage all of your senses as you wander through this serene part of Glacier National Park. The hike begins at the West Lake Trailhead, and you will cross a wooden footbridge that suspends over Bowman Creek. This is quite the view at the beginning of the hike. After walking for 0.6 km, you will arrive at the Quartz Lake Loop junction, stay to the left and hike a rather steep climb up to a high ridge. You will hike through a forested area during this time that is full of greenery and is surrounded by very tall trees.

After your climb, you will begin your descent down to the foot of Quartz Lake. You will see the damage of the 1988 North Fork Fire during your walk through this area, and then Quartz Lake will come into view.

Once you reach the foot of Quartz Lake, you will see the Livingstone Range that houses Logging Mountain, Vulture Peak and Cerulean Ridge. Continuing on, you will arrive at Quartz Lake Campground where some hikers chose to stay the night. At 10.5 km into the trail, you will walk along Quartz Lake, which will lead you to Lower Quartz Lake and Lower Quartz Lake Campground after 3.2 km. After this, you will begin to loop around and will face ascending terrain once again until you reach the beginning.

Find more epic hikes in Glacier National Park

• Grinnell Glacier
• Hidden Lake Overlook
• Ptarmigan Tunnel
• Iceberg Lake
• St Mary and Virginia Falls
• Piegan Pass