Cobalt Lake is a pristine slice of heaven deep in the Two Medicine Valley of Glacier National Park. Whether you’re looking to sleep out under the stars for a night or want a worthy trek for a half day excursion, this trail for hiking to Cobalt Lake in Glacier National Park is one of the best in the Two Medicine area.
Where is Cobalt Lake?
Cobalt Lake is located in the Two Medicine area on Glacier National Park’s southeast side. It’s one of the easier backpacking options in this area. If you don’t like roughing it out in the wilderness though, it’s a worthy day hike too.
Overnight Backcountry Permits for Cobalt Lake
Since it’s a relatively easy hike and somewhat of a short distance from Two Medicine Lake, backcountry permits for Cobalt Lake may be hard to come by, especially since there are only two campsites here. Consider making it a part of your multi-night itinerary and you’ll have more of a chance to snag a permit for it.
Need a backcountry permit and info about the sites? Read more here
Tips for Backpacking or Hiking to Cobalt Lake
The hike to Cobalt Lake is fairly easy with only a slight +1500 elevation gain in the 6 miles it takes to get there. Be sure to come prepared with hiking gear and walking equipment so that you don’t lose your footing on the rocky terrain.
If you’d like to knock out nearly 1.5 miles of the hike, consider taking the boat across the lake. The Glacier Park Boat Company operates across the stretch of Two Medicine, arriving at the west dock. For a reasonable price, you’ll learn about the history of the Blackfeet Indians, get a stunning view of Two Medicine Valley and receive a return ticket back to the east side upon completion of your hike.
Check out the current schedules and prices for boat tours here
As with all other areas in Glacier NP, be bear aware! Bring along your necessary hiking essentials for the trek, especially bear spray. If you’re hiking on a sunny day, I recommend some sunscreen and a hat as a lot of the trail is exposed.
Hiking to Cobalt Lake in Glacier National Park
Distance: 12 Miles Round-Trip
Type: Out & Back
Elevation Gain: +1,502 Feet
Best Time to Hike: June – October
Our Backcountry Itinerary: 3 Nights via Upper Park Creek Campground, Lake Isabel Campground, Cobalt Lake Campground
Taking the Boat: Once you arrive to the dock on the west side, walk a few feet to find the junction to the left for the South Shore trail. In around 1 mile, we meet the junction to Cobalt Lake.
Passing on the Boat: Begin from the mouth of Two Medicine Lake via the South Shore trailhead. In the 2 miles it takes to find the junction to Cobalt Lake, we enjoy a pleasant stroll through a grassy meadow accompanied by a backdrop of mountain peaks. One of the coolest parts of this walk is the seasonal foot bridge that crosses Aster Creek. If you have time, take the 0.2 mile spur trail to Aster Falls.
Regardless of where you began the hike, the trail to Cobalt Lake begins at the base of Sinopah Mountain that rises nearly 8300 feet tall. Within a mile and a leveled walk through the forest, we meet a foot bridge and a spur trail to Rockwell Falls.
Since we’ve only climbed a little over 300 feet at this point, the real elevation gain begins not long after we leave Rockwell Falls. The trail changes from a stroll in the forest to switchbacks and exposure to the sun without ever straying away from those towering peaks.
Take your time while climbing the remaining 2.5 miles to Cobalt Lake as the views open up to Two Medicine Valley. Criss cross over streams and mini-waterfalls while soaking in the pops of wildflowers.
The last 2 miles of the hike to Cobalt Lake are the toughest as we’ll see around a +1100 gain in elevation. Once the backdrop of Two Medicine Pass seems close, you’re indeed on the last leg to Cobalt Lake.
Backcountry Camping at Cobalt Lake
We returned to Cobalt Lake for the third night of our backpacking itinerary (check that post out here if you missed it!) More than excited to relax by the lake all day and night, we follow the trail across a creek to find the campground map. After unpacking our tent and hanging our backpacks on the pole by the food prep area, we choose the most east campsite of the 2 that exist here.
Read More of our 3 Night Itinerary: Backpacking to Lake Isabel in Glacier
And why did we choose this site specifically? Well because a marmot was claiming the first campsite. Ironically enough, this should’ve been our sign that things were not going to end well for us while camping here.
Our Backcountry Experience at Cobalt Lake
After setting up our tent we head down to the banks of Cobalt Lake. We spend hours sitting in the sun soaking our feet and getting lost in good conversation and epic views.
When it’s time for dinner, we head back to the food prep area to retrieve our things. My husband asks if he should just place our sleeping bags in the tent while he has the packs down from the pole and I agree.
As I continue prepping food, he returns not even a minute later with the sleeping bags in tow. As soon as we lock eyes he yells “There’s a marmot in our tent!” WHAT?! You’re kidding.
Unfortunately he was not. I go up to the campsite as he sits with the food and sure enough, a marmot, possibly the same one we saw earlier at the other campsite, is inside of our tent. He chewed a massive 3 foot hole in the side of it. I’m still completely baffled by this as there was absolutely nothing inside of our tent.
Inspecting the damage, we conclude that we would have to hike out because our shelter is now extremely compromised. On top of that, the marmot is not standing down; he even becomes aggressive with me after I attempt to make noise and throw rocks nearby in an attempt for him to scurry off.
So, at 8 PM in the middle of the Two Medicine Valley where the sun has already disappeared behind the mountains, we literally sprint the 6 miles back to the car, which we complete in just over an hour! Because the last place I want to be in grizzly and mountain lion country is on a trail after dark.
And I hope that’s the craziest story from the backcountry I’ll ever have to tell!
While hiking on trails, be sure to abide by the “Leave No Trace” principles.
Read More: Leave No Trace: The 7 Rules of the Backcountry
Learn more about Leave No Trace on their website here.
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