Sapphire Lake Loop

Hike Name: Sapphire Lake Loop Location: west MT Length: 16 Submitted by: Richard Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Montana trail reviews Montana national parks Montana state parks
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Description
A tough but highly rewarding overnighter (or better yet, 3 or 4 days) in the Swan Range. From the trailhead, follow trail 415 about seven miles as it climbs (about 3000 vertical feet)and winds through forest to Upper Hollan Lake. About one mile out there's a side trail to Holland Falls, well worth the diversion. As you climb, look back frequently to Lower Holland Lake, the Swans, and the Mission Mountains across the valley. Upper Holland Lake lies in a lovely open basin, and is a fairly popular camping spot. From here, bear to the left around the lake for about a half mile until you see a trail (on the left) signed for Sapphire Lake. It's another 1.5-2 miles, with a steep climb, to Sapphire Lake. From this plateau you have mountains in all directions, Carmine Peak to the southeast, the Bob Marshall Wilderness to the east, and peaks in all directions. The trail (which has a different number from the USFS map but is well maintained and marked) continues to the east for another mile or so to a notch, then joins trail 42 which will take you back to the trailhead. On the return hike, there's a long traverse that gives a wide-open view to the Missions, like walking on air. After that, though, it's about 40 steep switchbacks down to trail 415 about one mile from the trailhead. I recommend camping at Sapphire and making day trips to the Necklace Lakes and the old firetower, both trails clearly marked west of Sapphire Lake. Both hikes are wonderful and much more fun without a full pack! Trail 415 is one of the main routes into the Bob Marshall complex and thus has heavy hiking and stock traffic. Once above Upper Holland Lake, it's peace and tranquility and endless vistas. Soak them up before thant knee-jarring descent.

Directions to Hike
From Highway 83, turn west onto the well-marked road to Lower Holland Lake and follow it as far as it goes. The trail to Upper Holland Lake is clearly marked.

Contact Information
Swan Valley Ranger District

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