Cosley Lake Cutoff

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail gets you from the Belly River Ranger Station to Cosley Lake and is the way to access the lake that doesn't require a ford of the Mokowanis River.

The trail starts out in the broad meadows near the Belly River Ranger Station, coming off of the Belly Ranger Station Trail, heads into some trees, then crosses over the river on a swinging bridge. Once on the other side, you work your way up the hillside on the edge of a burn with the trees downslope being short. This affords you great views of the Mokowanis River in the foreground, the Belly River meadows beyond that and Chief and Gable Mountains backdropping them.

As you traverse the landscape, you'll work your way west towards the towering Cosley Ridge to the south and Bear Mountain to the north. You descend into some trees and come along the Mokowanis River to the lovely cascade of Gros Ventre Falls. This waterfall cascades down to a nice pool, then cascades back out of it. Throughout this entire area, keep your eyes peeled for moose.

After the falls, the trail begins to open up as it follows the river. A spur trail for Bear Mountain Point breaks off to the right. Don't leave your pack to climb to this amazing overlook. It's a great hike if you're staying at Cosley Lake (or you can hang your food at the Cosley Lake campsite and then go summit).

This segment ends a short distance further at the junction with the Cosley Lake campsites.

This content was created by Jake Bramante of Hike 734. Visit hike734.com for more expert Glacier content and maps that help you decide which trail to hike.

Wonderful flowers in spring and early summer both in the meadows and throughout the hillsides. Birds are also plentiful, and deer, moose, and bear can be spotted here as well as bighorn sheep and mountain goats in the surrounding mountains.