Apgar Mountain Horse Loop (South)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Can have a lot of standing water in the early spring.

The trail starts off the south side of the Camas Road, just west of the bridge over McDonald Creek. The trail follows along the road heading west just below the road, before taking a 90 degree turn into the forest.

The trail travels through a mix of recently burned and unburned forest which makes for nice birding. It pops out at an overlook of McDonald Creek at a horseshoe bend in the creek. It briefly enters the woods where the Apgar Mountain Horse Loop breaks off up the hill, then continues on through the forest and drops near the creek.

From here, the trail roughly follows the creek until it reaches a junction which is the part of the trail that loops the flats. If you take a right, the trail follows along the hillside through a nice mix of meadows, trees, and shrubs. This takes you to the top of the loop and the edge of McDonald Creek as it flows down the drainage.

The trail then loops back along McDonald Creek coming up to its shore a couple of times, then heads into the trees. One more nice overlook and then it closes the loop.

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 run.

Nice forest birding with warblers in the riparian areas and waterfowl along the creek. Flowers can range from arnica and lady slippers in the spring. Deer and the occasional bear may be spotted along the trail.