Numa Ridge Lookout

Rainbow Peak

Numa Ridge Lookout – 11.2mi / 18km

Rainbow Peak

From the staffed Numa Ridge Lookout, Bowman Lake is just one of the great views that await you, as the rugged peaks of Rainbow, Numa, and Kintla are all around. For this trip, you will start on the shores of Bowman Lake, and travel a little over half a mile of level terrain to the trail junction with the Numa Ridge Lookout Trail.

Here you will begin to climb and gain substantial elevation. You will spend the first 3.5 miles in the trees with sparse views of the lake and mountains. At a little saddle in the trail, you will walk close to a pond that you will not see until later from above that insects love. From there, you gain even more elevation and the trees begin breaking up. The last few miles give previews of the breathtaking sights that await you at the top.

Also note that you must bring all the water you will need for the day, as this is a south facing climb that gets very warm in the summer months and there is no publicly available water at the lookout.

Trailhead: Park in the picnic area at Bowman Lake and follow the southern shore from the boat launch to the west shore of the lake. There you will find the start of the trail.

Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,900ft / 870m

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