Van Lake Hike

Van Lake is one of those pretty little mountain lakes that's not close enough to a town, of any size, and far enough off the highway to not attract very many people. Half of the lake is on the Swan River State Forest and the other half on National Forest land. To get there leave Condon Montana on Highway 83 heading north. Drive for approximately 12 miles you will see a sign for Van Lake. Turn right onto the Forest Service road and drive for about 3 miles until you come to a sign pointing you to the left for Van Lake.

This is a fairly well maintained Forest Service road and we were lucky enough to arrive after extensive clearing of down trees had been accomplished. There was a lot of heavy wet snow this last winter, sometimes accompanied by wind, which knocked down even big healthy trees. Drive for a mile or so and you will see Van Lake straight ahead.

It seemed like a good idea at the time putting the bear bell on Daisy. I could only stand it for about 30 minutes. Jingle jingle up the trail, jingle jingle back down the trail, jingle jingle over to the tree, jingle jingle back to me, jingle jingle everywhere. She didn't seem to mind but it drove me crazy. Van Lake is nestled right on the edge of some wonderful wilderness areas and there are bears around, big bears, as well as mountain lions. I believe, along with a lot of park rangers, that jingle bells will help prevent a bear mauling. The metallic sound of the bells let animals know that you're around so you don't surprise any of them. A park ranger once told me a surprised grizzly is a mad grizzly and a mad grizzly will maul you.

The trails around Van Lake had a lot of down timber on them as well but had been cleared for about halfway around the lake. The trails were originally created by fishermen this is obvious by the way the trail circled the lake with many little paths leading off the main trail down to a good fishing spot. I can always tell when Daisy has spotted something interesting she has learned to stay, and wait for me, and not chase. Except for squirrels which she immediately runs them up a tree where she believes they belong.

Because Daisy didn't chase them, I'm very proud of her learning this, we were able to walk down to the shore and watch this mother and her little ones nonchalantly swim a few feet away and stop to watch us. Van Lake is a no wake lake which means just that no wakes and that keeps the motorboats and personal water craft out. This makes it a nice place for water birds to raise their young. The only boats you're likely to see are the canoes and rowboats of people fishing. There are Rainbow trout in the lake and the fishing is pretty good.


"Sorry Grandma, I'm too tired to play."

Until Next Time,

Doug