Lincoln Lake
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
This is prime grizzly habitat with limited sightlines through the forested sections. Carry bear spray accessible on your chest or belt, make noise consistently, and travel in groups of three or more when possible.
The eight-hundred-foot elevation loss on the approach means you're climbing back out on tired legs at the end of a sixteen-mile round trip. Budget more time and energy for the return than you think you'll need — bonking on the uphill exit is the most common reason hikers get benighted on this trail.
Snow lingers on the upper trail sections well into July most years, and the route can be difficult to follow through snowfields. Check conditions at the Apgar Visitor Center before heading out.
Trail Details
- 1
Start by 7 AM — the trailhead parking area off Going-to-the-Sun Road is small and fills fast in peak season, and you'll want the cooler morning hours for the sustained climb.
- 2
Carry a full water filter setup rather than relying on pre-filled bottles. Lincoln Creek parallels portions of the trail and offers reliable filtering spots, but there are dry stretches through the upper meadows where you'll be grateful for extra capacity.
- 3
The north shore of Lincoln Lake, where the inlet stream tumbles in, offers the most dramatic photography angle — the headwall reflects perfectly in calm morning water, and you can frame the waterfalls cascading down the cirque walls.