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Run through a forest to an beautiful lake full of trout and surrounded by mountains.


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Map Key

2.9

Miles

4.7

KM

85%

Runnable

8,454' 2,577 m

High

7,363' 2,244 m

Low

1,102' 336 m

Up

28' 9 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Wildflowers

Description

You'll need to run along Watkins Creek Trail #215 for nearly 2.5 miles to get to the beginning of this trail (shortly after the Watkins Creek Trail #215 horse forge over Watkins Creek). The trail will enter the forest and being ascending relatively new switchbacks (in 2019 the old trail was still visible).

You'll cross West Fork Watkins Creek multiple times, but rocks and logs should make it easy to cross with dry feet even in early summer. You'll get some views of the meadows along Coffin Mountain but no spectacular distant views. At the top of the switchbacks you pass West Fork Watkins Trail #216.

The trail will parallel Coffin Creek and continue ascending through forests with limited views. You'll come to another set of smaller switchbacks that let you know you're near the top. At the beginning of the lake there are log jams that are easy to access and offer beautiful views, just don't fall in. The trail follows the northern edge of the lake for about 0.10 of a mile offering more nice lake views and ending at a great campsite.

Flora & Fauna

Grizzly bear, bald eagle, deer, trout, various wildflowers.

Contacts

Shared By:

Karl W

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 3 votes

#10257

Overall
  4.3 from 3 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
67%
3 Star
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1 Star
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Trail Rankings

#261

in Montana

#10,257

Overall
2 Views Last Month
846 Since Aug 9, 2019
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Snowy, spring Coffin Lakes Trail
Apr 23, 2015 near West Ye…, MT
Lower Coffin Lake
Aug 16, 2019 near West Ye…, MT

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