Link Lake Trail, Flathead National Forest, Montana
Link Lake Trail, Flathead National Forest, Montana
Length: 3.3 miles, Elevation Gain:741 feet, Trail Type: Out and Back
Trekking Wild Rating: Medium, Location: Flathead National Forest, Montana
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The Link Lake Trail is located in the Flathead National Forest in the Whitefish Range. This relatively short hike leads to a beautiful alpine lake. Given its elevation, this trail is difficult to access until late May or early June. We attempted to reach the area during Memorial Day weekend this year, but there was still too much snow to access the trailhead by vehicle. The best time to hike the trail is between June and October.
Getting to the Trailhead
Reaching the Link Lake trailhead requires some effort. The trail is situated in the middle of the Whitefish Range, so you’ll need to travel roughly 20 miles on forest service roads. The road starts out in good condition but becomes increasingly rocky, rutted, and rough as you pass Upper Whitefish Lake when approaching from the south. I’m always surprised by the vehicles I see on these roads—though it’s possible to make it up there in a standard car, I wouldn’t recommend it. A high-clearance vehicle is advisable. This isn’t a particularly busy trail, so there’s plenty of parking at the trailhead.
Trail Conditions
The trail is well-defined and easy to follow. It’s a steady climb to the top of the ridge, followed by a descent to the lake. Although there are some steep sections, the short length of the hike makes it manageable. We rated the difficulty as medium on the Trekking Wild scale.
We hiked the trail at the end of August, when huckleberries were abundant along the path. If you’re hiking during huckleberry season, bring a container to collect them. We didn’t encounter any bugs during our hike, but I’ve been to this trailhead in early July and was swarmed by some of the thickest clouds of mosquitoes I’ve ever experienced. Other reviewers have reported similar issues with mosquitoes and flies earlier in the season, so if you’re hiking this trail during that time, be prepared to deal with bugs.
This trail is pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your dog along. We brought our dog, Doc, who always loves a hike to a lake.
Link Lake
Link Lake is a stunning alpine lake. There are several campsites around the lake, so if you want to turn this into a backpacking trip, you easily can. I didn’t fish this time, but the lake looked very inviting, with many trout rising while we were there. If you enjoy fishing, be sure to bring your gear.
Summary
The Link Lake Trail is a moderate hike leading to a beautiful mountain lake. While getting to the trailhead takes some effort, the hike is well worth it. There are opportunities to camp and fish at the lake. This is one of many amazing lakes in Northwest Montana and is definitely one I recommend checking out.
August 27, 2024
