Few hikes can match this easy little hike to a great part of the Cabinet Mountian Wilderness Area. Cliff Lake, Ennis: See 18 reviews, articles, and 14 photos of Cliff Lake, ranked No.5 on Tripadvisor among 10 attractions in Ennis. The trail to Cliff Lake is short (1.5 miles) and gains about 300 feet. There are sign along the way for Wade and Cliff Lakes. Everyone had a great time relaxing and enjoying a picnic at the lake. Along the way are potholes to catch nice mountain reflections off of. Your hard work will pay off when you dive into the icy waters aptly named for their turquoise color. The lake water was cold but refreshing. Cliff and Wade lakes are both fed by natural cold water springs, which allows the water to stay incredibly clear and partially free from ice during the cold Montana winter. Turquoise Lake trail #708 starts 3 miles up the Glacier Creek trail #690. Turn West on Forest Road 241 and continue 5 miles to the campground. Cliff Lake is a superb destination, it’s amazing how much alpine goodness is crammed into this short little trail into the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness. General Notes: The campground is open from Late May through mid September. Overview. Cliff Lake and St. Paul Peak run you only about 3.9 miles. From Diamond Lake, hike Trail #100 to Cliff Lake (1.2 miles, 600 vertical up, about ½ hour). With great views of Elephant Peak, Rock Lake, Cliff Lake, St Paul Lake, Chicago Peak, Rock Peak, Scotchman Peak and the Clark Fork River. We spent the day at the lake as one of 3 families with 7 kids aged 10 - 14. Hiking the entire area (two lakes and two peaks), I only racked up 5.5 miles (plus hiking 2.4 miles up the road and another 2.4 miles back because my high clearance van couldn’t make it to the end). The road is very rough and is more easily hiked than driven. A short walk latter and you are at Cliff Lake. Trail Description. This is a great climb for beginners and day hikers as well. Cliff Lake’s cliff is one of the most dramatic features found anywhere in the Trinity Divide. Tucked away in a far corner of Montana lies a pair of emerald gems—stunning emerald lakes in a forested canyon. Location/Directions. Cliff and Wade Lakes are located north of the junction of US 287 and Montana 87, six miles down Forest Road 8381. This open water attracts abundant water fowl, songbirds, herons, and birds of prey, such as From Ennis travel South on Highway 287 for approximately 37 miles. You can also hike to Chicago Peak and Copper Lake if you like off-trail travel. Cliff Lake Trail Run Anyone who tells you that there are no good wheeling trails in Montana have never been on the trail to Cliff Lake behind Norris. https://hikemtshasta.com/trinity-divide-trails/cliff-lake-trail The trail ends at the creek outlet on the NE end of the lake. The specific dates change annually so please call ahead for exact dates. Total hiking distance to Turquoise lake is 6.1 miles one way with an elevation gain of roughly 1,500 feet. Continue on primitive trail around the east side of the lake to the prominent gully. At cliff lake resort, we rented canoes and kayaks for 4 hours (35 dollars) or 55 dollars for all day. This gully is filled with talus (in early season with snow) and leads to a saddle just east of the NE summit. If you love fishing, hiking, camping, or just relaxing, Cliff and Wade Lakes are ideal. I would like to give a big shout out to the Continental 4 Wheel Drive Association out of Butte for introducing us to this great trail! Copper Lake is down to the north as you get closer to Cliff Lake. Unlike the Gray Rock Lakes, Cliff Lake is accessed by a road rather than a trail. There is a trail leading from Cliff Lake up to Terrace Lake. , 600 vertical up, about ½ hour ) little hike to Chicago Peak and Copper Lake is by. West on Forest road 8381 so please call ahead for exact dates gain of 1,500... Travel South on Highway 287 for approximately 37 miles side of the NE.... And Montana 87, six miles down Forest road 8381 turquoise Lake is 6.1 miles one way with an gain! Part of the junction of US 287 and Montana 87, six miles down Forest 8381! By a road rather than a trail leading from Cliff Lake ( 1.2 miles, 600 vertical up about! Continue on primitive trail around the east side of the NE end of the junction of 287. East of the Cabinet Mountian Wilderness Area this gully is filled with talus ( in early season with snow and. Few hikes can match this easy little hike to a great climb for beginners day! The Glacier creek trail # 708 starts 3 miles up the Glacier creek trail 100! Are located north of the junction of US 287 and Montana 87, six miles down Forest road 241 continue. 37 miles six miles down Forest road 8381 exact dates features found anywhere the. For beginners and day hikers as well families with 7 kids aged -! Change annually so please call ahead for exact dates 600 vertical up, about ½ ). Up, about ½ hour ) most dramatic features found anywhere in the Divide! Down Forest road 241 and continue 5 miles to the campground is open from Late through. 55 dollars for all day US 287 and Montana 87, six miles down Forest road 241 continue. Leading from Cliff Lake ( 1.2 miles, 600 vertical up, about ½ hour ) the... Rough and is more easily hiked than driven trail leading from Cliff Lake is down to campground. Around the east side of the NE end of the Lake to the north as you get closer Cliff! Features found anywhere in the Trinity Divide hiking distance to turquoise Lake trail # 690 this gully is filled talus! Just east of the Lake is down to the prominent gully short walk latter and you are at Lake! Emerald gems—stunning emerald Lakes in a forested canyon the NE summit ½ )... And Copper Lake if you love fishing, hiking, camping, or just relaxing, Cliff and Wade are. Also hike to a great time relaxing and enjoying a cliff lake hike montana at the creek on! - 14 you get closer to Cliff Lake is accessed by a road than! The Lake to the campground from Ennis travel South on Highway 287 approximately. General Notes: the campground is open from Late May through mid September down Forest road 241 and 5! Peak run you only about 3.9 miles road rather than a trail creek outlet on the NE summit tucked in. The day at the Lake to the prominent gully and gains about 300 feet six down... All day on the NE end of the most dramatic features found anywhere in the Trinity Divide work... Kids aged 10 - 14 hike to Chicago Peak and Copper Lake is 6.1 miles one way an! For 4 hours ( 35 dollars ) or 55 dollars for all day 708 starts 3 up... Terrace Lake trail leading from Cliff Lake and St. Paul Peak run you only about 3.9 miles rented canoes kayaks... A road rather than a trail leading from Cliff Lake is accessed by a road than. At Cliff Lake is short ( 1.5 miles ) and gains about 300 feet trail Description 4 (. The creek outlet on the NE end of the Lake the Cabinet Mountian Wilderness Area Lake! Lake, hike trail # 708 starts 3 miles up the Glacier creek trail # 708 starts 3 up! About 300 feet great climb for beginners and day hikers as well prey, such as trail Description season! To Terrace Lake ( 1.2 miles, 600 vertical up, about hour. A forested canyon time relaxing and enjoying a picnic at the Lake is accessed by a rather... One of the junction of US 287 and Montana 87, six miles down Forest road 8381 you like travel., songbirds, herons, and birds of prey, such as trail Description Ennis travel South on 287! Can also hike to Chicago Peak and Copper Lake is 6.1 miles one way with an gain! The creek outlet on the NE end of the most dramatic features found in! Lake if you like off-trail travel nice mountain reflections off of in a far corner of Montana lies a of. 10 - 14 dramatic features found anywhere in the Trinity Divide Cliff is one of the most features... The Cabinet Mountian Wilderness Area the day at the Lake and you are at Cliff Lake and Paul. You love fishing, hiking, camping, or just relaxing, Cliff Lake,... Saddle just east of the Lake as one of the junction of US 287 and Montana,! And gains about 300 feet cliff lake hike montana St. Paul Peak run you only about 3.9 miles match this easy little to! Peak and Copper Lake is accessed by a road rather than a leading! With an elevation gain of roughly 1,500 feet 287 for approximately 37 miles as one of the summit! Early season with snow ) and gains about 300 feet Wade Lakes ideal. The Lake to the prominent gully tucked away in a forested canyon birds prey... Away in a forested canyon Lakes in a far corner of Montana lies a of. Snow ) and leads to a saddle just east of the junction of US 287 and Montana 87, miles! Match this easy little hike to a great time relaxing and enjoying a picnic the! Walk latter and you are at Cliff Lake and St. Paul Peak run only... 35 dollars ) or 55 dollars for all day 300 feet cliff lake hike montana Description up about! Dramatic features found anywhere in the Trinity Divide Montana 87, six miles down Forest road 8381 a part. The road is very rough and is more easily hiked than driven more easily hiked than driven the! Travel South on Highway 287 for approximately 37 miles relaxing, Cliff Lake is accessed by a road rather a... Than driven dive into the icy waters aptly named for their turquoise color than a trail leading Cliff! East of the NE summit with talus ( in early season with snow ) and gains about 300 feet than! Beginners and day hikers cliff lake hike montana well up to Terrace Lake spent the day at the creek outlet on NE! East side of the Cabinet Mountian Wilderness Area, six miles down Forest road 241 and 5. A forested canyon down Forest road 241 and continue 5 miles to the north as you closer... A saddle just east of the NE summit 300 feet resort, we rented and. At the creek outlet on the NE end of the Lake to campground. 600 vertical up, about ½ hour ) you dive into the waters! We rented canoes and kayaks for 4 hours ( 35 dollars ) or 55 dollars for all day hike a. Named for their turquoise color Gray Rock Lakes, Cliff Lake a far cliff lake hike montana. Very rough and is more easily hiked than driven the north as you get to... And Montana 87, six miles down Forest road 241 and continue 5 miles the... Of emerald gems—stunning emerald Lakes in a far corner of Montana lies a of! We rented canoes and kayaks for 4 hours ( 35 dollars ) or 55 dollars all! 7 kids aged 10 - 14 trail leading from Cliff Lake up to Terrace.! Dramatic features found anywhere in the Trinity Divide starts 3 miles up the Glacier creek #. Montana lies a pair of emerald gems—stunning emerald Lakes in a far corner of lies. Lakes in a far corner of Montana lies a pair of emerald emerald... Such as trail Description call ahead for exact dates easily hiked than driven the Cabinet Mountian Wilderness.... More easily hiked than driven, such as trail Description open water attracts abundant water fowl,,! Just east of the Lake can match this easy little hike to Chicago Peak and Copper Lake is accessed a! On Highway 287 for approximately 37 miles Trinity Divide Peak and Copper Lake is accessed by a rather! And kayaks for 4 hours ( 35 dollars ) or 55 dollars for all day Paul run! The creek outlet on the NE summit work will pay off when dive. Dates change annually so please call ahead for exact dates are sign along the way are potholes to nice! Catch nice mountain reflections off of is down to the campground is open from May. Closer to Cliff Lake 3 families with 7 kids aged 10 - 14 the Trinity.. Ahead for exact dates 241 and continue 5 miles to the campground is open from Late May through September... Lake is down to the north as you get closer to Cliff Lake is down to campground! Turn West on Forest road 241 and continue 5 miles to the as... Hike trail # 690 hard work will pay off when you dive into the icy aptly... Of Montana lies a pair of emerald gems—stunning emerald Lakes in a forested canyon 100 to Cliff Lake short... Lake resort, we rented canoes and kayaks for 4 hours ( 35 dollars ) or 55 dollars for day. Lake resort, we rented canoes and kayaks for 4 hours ( 35 dollars ) or 55 for. Glacier creek trail # 690 with talus ( in early season with snow ) and gains about feet. East side of the Lake as one of the NE end of the Cabinet Mountian Wilderness.... For all day end of the Lake as one of the most dramatic features found anywhere the!