Cosley Lake Trail - Glacier National Park

The Cosley Lake Trail can be accessed from Chief Mountain Customs trailhead, located on Montana State Highway 17, within sight of the Border Patrol buildings.

The trail begins at Chief Mountain customs, on a ridge overlooking the Belly River Valley. The trail continues up the river to the Belly River Ranger Station. At this point trails to Gable Pass and the Mokowanis River valley converge with the Belly River Trail. At Belly River Campground (6.1 miles) located on the river, trail ascends wooded valley and then crosses Belly river to north bank. At approximately 7.6 miles junction with Cosley Lake cutoff trail. Stay left for Elizabeth Lake. Dawn Mist Falls (8.1 miles) Elizabeth Lake (foot) Campground (10.9 miles). Ptarmigan-Redgap trail enters behind horse hitching post. Keep right to the lake head and Helen Lake. Trail follows west shore of Elizabeth Lake. At (10.9 miles) Elizabeth Lake (head) campground, the trail continues south, gradually climbing, then crossing the outlet of Helen Lake before reaching the campground on the eastern shore. At approximately 13.6 miles you will come to Helen Lake Campground.

Length: 2.2 miles. From Chief Mountain Customs to Belly River Ranger Station (6.1 miles), from Chief Mountain Customs to Elizabeth Lake (9.3 miles), or from Chief Mountain Customs to Helen Lake (13.6 miles).

Trail Begins: Belly River Ranger Station

Trail Ends: Ptarmigan Trail Junction

USGS Map1: Park Map