The Tally Lake Overlook Trail In Montana Takes You From The Woods To The Lake And Back
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Jessica Wick
Author
Did you know that there are over 3,200 named lakes and reservoirs in Montana? While Alaska has more lakes than any other state (at three million!), that’s still an impressive number. Needless to say, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll see all of them in your lifetime, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try to see all the best. Tally Lake is a beautiful and highly underrated body of water, and the Tally Lake Overlook Trail will give you the best views.
While it's not as large or well-known as the nearby Flathead Lake, those who manage to find it tend to love it. The lake is fed from water from upstream Star Meadows, a large wetland that creates a tannic acid tint to the water. Still, the lake water is perfectly clean, and in comparison to some of the others nearby, it's quite warm and pleasant for swimming.
The trail is ranked as moderate, mainly for its somewhat steep climb in the beginning. If you're a fairly experienced hiker, it should be a breeze.
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If you do the loop in a clockwise direction, the climb can be a bit steep, but most agree that the lake views are better this way.
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It seems to stretch forever over the horizon.
Its dark waters are actually the reason it stays warm. This darkness absorbs the sunlight and retains it, keeping the water at an average temperature of 70 degrees all summer. For reference, Flathead Lake is about 65 degrees.
However, if the weather conditions allow, you won't regret hiking it in the off-season. Everything looks especially enchanting when it's covered in a layer of frost.
The views are truly remarkable, and it's a pleasant afternoon hike.
Have you ever been to Tally Lake? Share your experience with us in the comments!
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Tally Lake, Montana 59937, USA