Anticipating big crowds in the park for the weekend, we decided to explore the western edge of the park. We got a late start but once in the park, we drove to the trailhead for Rocky Point. The hike to Rocky Point (1.9 miles, 243 feet elevation gain, 469 calories) took us through some old growth forest before we came to where the 2003 forest fire had burned through. The young trees were growing back in very thick and were 6-8 feet tall. we don’t think you could have cut your way through they are so tightly packed together. Rocky Point looks out over Lake McDonald and provides some wonderful views of the lake. Because of that, it is also a very popular trail. We ran into dozens of people on the way out and the way back. We hiked the full loop before returning to the truck. It felt great to stretch our legs out again after the last two weeks of no hiking.
From the trailhead parking area, we drove the Inside North Fork gravel road for 6 miles before it was closed off due to landslides beyond Camas Creek. After returning to Camas Road, we followed it to the point where it leaves exits the park on the west side. At that point, the road turns into a state maintained North Fork gravel road for about 15 miles to Polebridge. The tiny town of Polebridge is named after a bridge over the North Fork of the Flathead River that was built in the 1930s out of telephone poles by the CCC. That bridge has since been replaced after being damaged in floods. We had heard from locals that there was a great bakery in Polebridge, and sure enough, as we pulled into town on the dusty dirt road, was the Polebridge Mercantile! We stopped and went in to the mercantile and sure enough, there was a bakery. Even though it was nearly 5PM, there was still an enticing selection of baked goods. After picking up some Savory Jalapeño rolls, Huckleberry Bear Claws, chocolate cookies and a loaf of fresh baked bread, we followed the dirt and gravel Glacier Road back into the park and up to Bowman Lake. Bowman Lake, in the north west corner of the park (only 15 miles from the Canadian border) is in the bottom of a glacier carved valley and is fed by glacier runoff and melting snow. There is a small campground and boat launch at the western end of the lake. It was simply beautiful! Tall rocky peaks close on each side with the lake stretching into the distance. There were a few hearty souls in the campground, and a couple loading up their inflatable raft from a day of fishing. But it was serene, beautiful, and very calming. We vowed to return and maybe kayak the lake in the following weeks.
After reluctantly climbing back in the truck, we headed back to the Wanderer so we could feed Etta before she was too mad at us for leaving her behind (No dogs allowed on any of the hiking trails) and being late to serve her dinner.
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| Lake McDonald from Rocky Point |
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| Polebridge Mercantile |
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| Lake Bowman |
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