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Jewel Basin

Jewel Basin Hiking – Birch Lake Trail

May 17, 2023 by Mike

The Birch Lake trail is 0.8 miles long.

It begins at Jct. Alpine Trail. #7 In Sec. 32 and ends at Jct. Alpine Trail. #7 In Sec. 5. The trail is open for hiking, no motorized traffic. The Birch Lake Trail is in the Jewel Basin Hiking area. Special regulations are in place.

Closest Towns: Bigfork, MT

Birch Lake Trail

Directions: From Bigfork, take Hwy 35 north to Hwy 83. Head east on Hwy 83 to the junction of the Echo Lake Road. Head north on Echo Lake Road about 3 miles to junction with the Jewel Basin Road (No. 5392). Follow this road approximalty 7 miles to the trailhead. CAUTION: The last 5 miles are steep. Use headlights for safety. Caution advised for low clearance vehicles. Trailers not recommended.

Birch Lake Trail
Hiking the Birch Lake Trail

 

Jewel Basin Hiking Area Regulations Pursuant to 36 CFR 261

For more contact: Flathead National Forest

Hungry Horse — Glacier View Ranger District: (406) 387-3800

Swan Lake Ranger District: (406) 837-7500

Special Regulations

Fires: There are no open fires allowed within 500 feet of the shores of the following lakes: Twin, Picnic, Birch, and Crater Lakes. This is for the purposes of sanitation and resource protection.

Dogs: Dogs must be on a leash and under physical restrictive control at all times while in Jewel Basin and all trails leading into it. This is for wildlife, resource, and visitor protection.

Party Size: Group sizes are limited to 12 persons in order to protect resources and minimize disruption to other visitors.

Food Storage: Jewel Basin is in Bear Country and as such proper storage regulations must be followed including storing attractants in a bear resistant manner when you are not at camp with your food and other attractants.

General Regulations

Camping: Allowed anywhere in Jewel Basin. Campsites are dispersed and we ask that you minimize your impact.

Campfires: Fires are allowed in the Jewel basin where not otherwise restricted. Please minimize fire impact by using a fire blanket or pan and consider not building a fire ring.

Stay Limit: The stay limit is 14 days within any 30 day period. Waste Disposal: Please use one of the outhouses or use the cathole method to bury human waste.

Garbage Service: There is no garbage service. Please pack out anything you bring with you.

Travel Management

The Jewel Basin is a hiker only area. As such, stock, motorized, and mechanized use is prohibited within the Jewel Basin Hiking Area boundary.

Filed Under: Hiking, Jewel Basin

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