Broadwater Lake (Clarks Fork)

Drainage: Clarks Fork (MT)
Approaches: Clarks Fork Trailhead — 5 mi; 600 ft up / 100 ft down · From Curl Lake — 0.2 mi · From Dollar Lake — ~1.8 mi cross-country
Elevation: 8,623 feet
Fish: Brook trout, Yellowstone cutthroat (FWP)
Coordinates: 45.06017, -109.84858
Bugs: Minimal on our visit

Getting there

Most people will reach Broadwater from the Clarks Fork Trailhead, about 5 miles up the valley.

We came the long way. Broadwater was near the end of a four-day thru-hike that started at the Lady of the Lake Trailhead, roughly 16.2 miles out. A thru-hike takes two vehicles: we left one at the Clarks Fork end of the Beaten Path, drove to the Lady of the Lake Trailhead in the other, and started walking. Set the shuttle rig before you leave, not after.

The hike

Coming down from Dollar Lake, you leave the upper shelf and drop about 1.8 miles cross-country through timber, losing several hundred feet. There's no tread for most of it — you navigate the descent yourself. At the bottom you come out on the maintained valley trail, and Broadwater is right there: 83 acres stretched along the valley floor, the biggest water in this stretch. From here the walking is easy the rest of the way out.

Tips & safety

• Fishing: FWP lists brook trout and Yellowstone cutthroat.

• Route: The drop from Dollar is the last off-trail work on this itinerary. Once you're on the valley trail, the rest is straightforward.

• Thru-hike logistics: This is point-to-point, not a loop. Your ride has to already be parked at the exit trailhead.