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Hike to Bond Lake

Bigfork, Montana

5.0/5
based on 2 reviews

Details

Distance

11.6 miles

Elevation Gain

2300 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Gavin Pirrie

This nice, solid day hike offers opportunity to continue to Trinkus Lake and Con Kelly Mountain. 

From Kalispell, head south towards Swan Lake along Highway 83 until a sign for Bond Creek Trailhead is located on the east side oft the road near mile marker 71. Turning onto Forest Service Road #680 and after 1.5 miles, turning on FS Road #9507, the trailhead will be 2.3 miles after the intersection of #680 and #9507.

The trail begins with a downhill portion until Bond Creek is reached and is crossed with a log bridge. After this bridge, the rest of the trail climbs intermittently. A waterfall along the trail 3.5 miles into the hike is an excellent picnic spot and resting area. The trail is well maintained and no trouble should be had following it to Bond Lake. 

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Features

Camping
Fishing
Photography
Hiking
Dog Friendly
Family Friendly
Forest
Lake
River
Waterfall
Wildflowers
Wildlife

Hike to Bond Lake Reviews

I did this hike with my 10, 8, and 6-year-old today. a couple points and suggestions. start this hike early in the day, and well it feels mighty shady early on, it gets pretty toasty heading back even though it seems like you were in the trees the whole time. The actual hike to the falls is pretty unentertaining. The only excitement we had was the river crossing with the one log bridge. other than that, it was hard to keep the kids motivated to get to the falls because I wasn't even sure what they looked like for one, and there was nothing to see along the trail. while I as an adult loved the smell in the woods they were completely bored. It is uphill most of the way, but by uphill I mean an incline and not much. It's a pretty intermediate hike as far as uphill climb, the biggest challenge is distance if you have kids. It is bear country, like any other hike around here, but there were a few times I felt slightly nervous as nobody else was on the trail and I have the kids by myself. Make sure you have bug spray and plenty of water! The falls are 100% worth hiking too. It is absolutely magical! You won't be disappointed.

This was my first hike in the area, and it was a great one to start on. The hike is very lush. It was a hot day, and we were lucky to have the shade from the trees the majority of the hike. The waterfalls were absolutely beautiful. Great place to dip your feet and have a snack. The trail seems to narrow significantly after the falls. I hike in mid July and the trail was very muddy almost the entire way up. (I would recommend waterproof shoes). Bond lake was breathtaking! Well worth it.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike Montana's Swan Crest Trail

Relax at Spotted Bear Beach

Explore Graves Creek Falls

Swim in Graves Bay Swimming Hole

Summit Swan Peak

Backpack to Black Lake