North Fork Belly River

North Fork Belly River – 17.1mi / 27.5km

The trail to Miche Wabum Lake has long been overgrown, but a remnant of the trail remains and you will likely find yourself all alone as you practice your route finding skills to the North Fork of the Belly River. From the Chief Mountain trailhead, you will descend into the Belly River drainage.

At almost three miles in, the trail forks to the right towards the river and seems to disappear as it turns into a Class 3* trail. Here the trail continues with a river ford. Working your way to the south along the river, then west through a big meadow without a trail, the path eventually narrows. A small trail clearly forms which is easy to follow up and around the north ridge of Sentinel Mountain. The trail goes through a variety of trees and really does not open back up until you get on the west side of the ridge.

Once at the major drainage on the north face of Sentinel, the trail stays on the north side of the creek all the way down to the river.

Trailhead: The trailhead is found at the parking lot just south of the US/Canada border along Highway 17.

Elevation Gain/Loss: 3,400ft / 1,020m

Click here for blogs and video on the North Fork Belly River

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* Class 3 trails are trails that are infrequently maintained by the Park for various reasons. Hikers should expect overgrown trails, downfall, washed out sections, and potential creek fords. Route finding may be necessary on these trails.