The Hike
This trail provides a short yet challenging hike that ends with an unusual view of Lake McDonald and the Livingston Range beyond. There are no permanent streams on Apgar Mountain, so water bottles are highly recommended for this trail. The trail starts out as a primitive road, winding across the benchland below Apgar Mountain. Initially, the route runs through forest burned by a ground fire during the Robert Fire of 2003. The blaze burned in patches here; larches in particular were able to survive the fire thanks to their thick, corky bark. Eventually the road ends, and the trail begins a moderately steep ascent and enters lands that burned with a hot crown fire that consumed the forest almost completely. The path switchbacks across the south face of the hill and affords glimpses through scorched tree trunks of the mountain ranges south of the park. The Flathead Range rises to the southeast, dominated by the snowcapped peak of Great Northern Mountain, the highest peak in the Great Bear Wilderness. Looking farther west, the Swan Range trails away to the south. Between them is the valley of the Flathead River’s South Fork. In berry season thimbleberries along the trail provide snacks for hungry hikers, and there are small patches of huckleberry bushes near the lookout.
Huckleberries (pictured) and thimbleberries can be found in season along the Apgar Lookout Trail. Licensed by Shutterstock.com
Once the lookout is reached, the view stretching away to the east reveals the entire length of the Livingston Range, with Lake McDonald prominently nestled among its foothills. The Belton Hills rise steeply at the foot of the lake. Mounts Vaught and Brown are the prominent peaks flanking the upper end of Lake McDonald, and the Garden Wall can be seen at the head of the valley.
Miles and Directions
0.0Trail sign. Trail follows old dirt road.
0.8Trail leaves dirt road, begins ascent of Apgar Mountain.
2.8Arrive at Apgar Lookout.