Crater Notch

Crater Notch is a 4.5-mile out-and-back hike in Montana's Flathead National Forest, within the Swan Lake Ranger District and the Bmss Ra 1485 Roadless Area. The route gains about 1,580 feet from a low of 4,893 feet to a high of 6,481 feet, making it a moderate climb suited to hikers who can handle an elevation gain of roughly 1,600 feet over the course of the trip. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and is open year-round. It is a natural-surface route, and the closest town is likely Swan Lake, the district's namesake. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically July and August, when typical averages from a nearby weather station run in the low 70s with lows near 40. Winter brings typical highs in the teens and lows below zero. The Switchback mountain biking trail and the Alpine 7 and Birch Lake hikes all lie within about 1.7 miles of the trail, and the 5398-2 Bear Creek Road campground is about 4.7 miles away.