Montana · Hiking

Carter Lake

10.2 mi
round trip
2,394 ft
climb
7,561 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Carter Lake open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Lolo National Forest.

  • East Fork Big Creek Road & Trail Closure- Superior Ranger District

    Agency alert covering Lolo National Forest · Order 26-003- · USFS · Lolo National Forest

As of · Source: USFS · Lolo National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Carter Lake is a hard hike in the Missoula Ranger District of Lolo National Forest in western Montana, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back of about 10 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of roughly 2,400 feet, carrying you from a low of about 5,150 feet to a high of about 7,560 feet. Horses are allowed on the trail, which is on natural surface. The climb is a steady ascent, so plan on a long day with plenty of time and water. The trail starts close to several other routes. Wrangle Creek is about 0.1 mile away and Rattlesnake Creek about 0.3 mile. The Wrangel Creek Trail, for mountain biking, is also about 0.3 mile off, and Sheridan Lake Trail lies about 1.8 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

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Spring GulchPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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Stuart PeakPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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RATTLESNAKE CREEK CUTOFF GPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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SAWMILL GULCH CUTOFF DPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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Wrangle Creek

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WALLMAN CUTOFF APhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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SAWMILL GULCH CUTOFF APhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

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