Run or Hike Stanton Lake in Mid-Winter

The parking lot is right off the highway, but the trail heads straight into the forest, going the opposite direction of Glacier Park. The trail is 1.8 miles long to the end of the lake (one-way). The trail is steep in the very beginning, then flattens out and goes downhill for most of the way. The trail cuts across a steep hillside, that stretches down to the bottom of a saddle. If you want to, there is a marked turn off about halfway up the main trail that heads up Grant Ridge, and allows you to get a great view of the area, including Glacier Park (If you don't mind a little detour of course!). Otherwise, just keep heading down the trail until you hit the lake. You can't miss it!

There is a fairly good view of the north face of Great Northern, and Glacier Peaks, like the south face of Eaglehead Mountain.

I suggest that you do this hike when it is moderately snowy and cold if you don't want to run into too many people. Plus, the mid-winter weather, as it transitions between autumn and winter, creates some pretty precious close-up shots. Also keep in mind that the sun goes down earlier than the Flathead Valley. Happy trails!