Glacier National Park: Bowman Lake to Kintla Lake
Epic, glacial-era geology and rugged mountain views from the Continental Divide are the highlights of this 4- or 5-day point-to-point in Glacier National Park's northwest corner.
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Bowman and Kintla Lakes are located at the northwest corner of Glacier National Park, and this horseshoe-shaped point-to-point connects them with an epic 39-mile trail over Brown and Boulder passes with an overnight stop in the stunning glacial cirque, Hole-in-the-Wall.
The first day follows Bowman Lake’s flat shoreline and day two climbs 2,200 feet, touching the Continental Divide before settling into a hanging valley. Day three climbs another 1,100 feet to Boulder Pass and the route’s high point at mile 17. Camp in the boulder-strewn valley there, or descend a headwall on a scenic, switchbacking trail—look for the Agassiz Glacier—toward Upper Kintla Lake.
The westbound stretch of trail comes within 1.5 miles of the Canadian border and connects Upper Kintla and Kintla lakes as it skirts several burn areas below the Boundary Mountains and Starvation Ridge.
Reaching Kintla Lake, however, isn’t the end of the journey: it’s 20 road miles between trail-end and Bowman Lake, so plan ahead and arrange a shuttle either within your own group, or with locals before your trip (commercial outfitters aren’t permitted to travel to Kintla, so plan to be creative about your ride).
-Mapped by Charlie Williams
Trail Facts
- Distance: 56.5
Waypoints
GBK001
Location: 48.8286432, -114.2018187
Parking for the Bowman Trailhead is along the main campground road next to the self registration bulletin board. Follow the trail through lodgepole pines toward the lake, turn left on the road, and then bear right onto the trail. You’ll pass the ranger cabin and a sign announcing the Upper Bowman Campground.
GBK002
Location: 48.8373793, -114.1954994
Stay to the right at this junction with the Numa Ridge Trail. The thick montane forest on the lake’s north side is dominated by Douglas fir, but the brushy trail can be slick with black mud.
GBK003
Location: 48.8674531, -114.1705227
Near mile 3.2 the trail comes within a few feet of the lakeshore and there’s a small gravel beach perfect for a quick break and a view. From this point, the trail is closer to the water; the open understory allows for more regular views of the water.
GBK004
Location: 48.904223, -114.121284
Nearing the north end of Bowman Lake is the campground spur trail. The two southernmost sites have the best views and a cooking area fire pit, but the others are very secluded. Watch for eagle activity in the area.
GBK005
Location: 48.9118954, -114.1093254
Cross a stream. Though low and easy to cross in late summer, spring runoff can make this (and the crossings of Pocket Creek, 3 miles ahead) much more difficult.
GBK006
Location: 48.9340312, -114.0788984
The trail crosses 3 Pocket Creek branches just north of their convergence with Bowman Creek. The first and last are less significant than the middle one where there is a bridge under construction. From this point, the climb intensifies toward Brown Pass.
GBK007
Location: 48.9527756, -114.04109
The Brown Pass Campground is another option for nights one or two.
GBK008
Location: 48.950708, -114.035605
Though Brown Pass is 6,255 feet above sea level and on the Continental Divide, the climbing continues on the Boulder Pass Trail as the route turns west. Look east for a view of Hawksbill and an alternate eastern approach toward Boulder Pass.
GBK009
Location: 48.9576226, -114.0537071
As the trail swings north it cuts into the side of the cliffs of the Helena Formation. Although wide and safe, this short stretch of trail may challenge hikers fearful of heights. Up ahead, you’ll pass over the lip of Hole-in-the-Wal before the trail splits.
GBK010
Location: 48.9626382, -114.0592861
Bear left @ Y-junction for a 1-mile round-trip to Hole-in-the-Wall’s popular campground. The short side-trip to the base of the glacial cirque is a worthwhile detour for lunch or camping. From Hole-in-the-Wall, return to this point and turn left, heading north.
GBK011
Location: 48.9611167, -114.0919018
You’ll hike along the upper rim of the cirque, along the wall of a hanging valley, across a cairn-marked talus slope, and over several ledges en route to Boulder Pass. This 7,470-foot pass is the route’s high point and the trip’s halfway point.
GBK012
Location: 48.96313, -114.102315
A 0.1-mile spur trail leads north to the tent pads and food preparation area of Boulder Camp. From here, it’s a thimbleweed-flanked, switchbacking, 3,250-foot descent toward Upper Kintla Lake.
GBK013
Location: 48.9808366, -114.1471767
Cross Kintla Creek on a bridge; ribbons and cairns mark the main trail. A sign up ahead marks the right-hand spur trail to Upper Kintla Campground.
GBK014
Location: 48.980709, -114.153566
There are 4 tent pads, a food prep, and fire area near the campground and a hitching post for stock animals nearby. A gravel beach on the lakeshore is also nearby (good place to dry gear).
GBK015
Location: 48.978696, -114.2194462
From the Upper Kintla Campground to Kintla Lake is a 5-mile, mostly-flat trek through predominately Douglas fir and Engelmann spruce. You might spot western larch and wild roses near the trail and glimpses of the burn from a 2003 fire on the upper lake’s far side. This gravely creek crossing leads to a clearing, then a recovering burn zone, and a hilly moraine.
GBK016
Location: 48.97596, -114.253008
The old Kintla patrol cabin precedes the middle Kintla Campground. There are 6 tent pads, a food prep area, a fire area and a hitching post. On the gravel beach and in the lake are remnants of the early 20th-century Butte Well.
GBK017
Location: 48.9734566, -114.2863083
From the campground, the trail cruises an overcrowded forest (a product of the no-burn forest management policy) for 1.5 miles before a short, sharp 300-foot climb from the lakeshore.
GBK018
Location: 48.9378793, -114.3459821
The trail splits less than half a mile from the route’s end. Bear right to bypass the drive-in camping area and continue to the parking lot.
GBK019
Location: 48.935179, -114.3527
It’s about 19 miles by road between Kintla Lake and Bowman Trailhead. Shuttle logistics can be difficult, but consider leaving a car or bicycle here, or hiring a ride in Polebridge or another nearby town before your trip.
Climb to Boulder Pass
Location: 48.9610039, -114.0868378
Registration Sign
Location: 48.8286503, -114.2017114
This kiosk displays trail info and campground regulations. © Charlie Williams
Thimbleberry
Location: 48.8537598, -114.1826248
Thimbleberry alongside the trail is easily confused with the slightly lager-leafed Devil’s Club. © Charlie Williams
Bowman Lake
Location: 48.9042513, -114.1208696
A view of Bowman Lake from the shore near the campground area. © Charlie Williams
Hole-in-the-Wall Falls
Location: 48.937837, -114.0738773
Climb toward Brown Pass
Location: 48.9468007, -114.0665817
Brown Pass
Location: 48.9544664, -114.0366268
Looking to the southeast over Brown Pass toward the Hawksbill. © Charlie Williams
Cliffside Slope
Location: 48.9574535, -114.0528488
Sheer Walls
Location: 48.9583271, -114.0539217
Hole-in-the-Wall
Location: 48.9655966, -114.0666676
Stromatolites
Location: 48.9641315, -114.0658092
Helena limestone in the ravine near where Hole in the Wall Falls begins, has some excellent exposures of 1.1 billion year old stromatolites. © Charlie Williams
Talus
Location: 48.9625255, -114.0816879
Cairn-marked talus slopes on the climb toward Boulder Pass. © Charlie Williams
Boulder Valley
Location: 48.9629763, -114.099369
Looking into Boulder Valley from the trail near the campsite. © Charlie Williams
Agassiz Glacier
Location: 48.9580735, -114.1076946
Named for Louis Agassiz, the “Father of Glaciology,” look for the glacier as you descend toward Upper Kintla Lake. © Charlie Williams
Upper Kintla Lake
Location: 48.9616238, -114.1194534
Views of the lake from the Boulder Pass Trail. © Charlie Williams
Precipitator
Location: 48.9759919, -114.2522335
This rusty hunk was an oil precipitator used to separate water from oil at wells. The Butte Well was drilled in 1901 but never produced any oil. © Charlie Williams
Boulder Trail Sign
Location: 48.9378652, -114.3455744
Polebridge Mercantile
Location: 48.764895, -114.2850637
Excellent sandwiches and a post-hike brew await at the Polebridge Mercantile just south of the trailhead. © Charlie Williams
Northern Lights Saloon
Location: 48.7651213, -114.2850101
With occasional live music and afternoon hours, this Polebridge destination is also worth a stop. © Charlie Williams
