Notch Trail, Overlook Trail, and Plum Creek Road Loop

This loop generally takes around 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete. This is an average estimate, so your actual time may vary depending on your pace and how often you stop to enjoy the views.

The Notch Trail, Overlook Trail, and Plum Creek Road Loop is rated as easy overall. However, it does include sections with varied terrain. The Notch Trail and Overlook Trail have moderate sections with steeper grades, roots, and rocks, while Plum Creek Road is a dirt/gravel road with some significant elevation gain and descent.

You can expect picturesque views, especially from the Notch and Overlook sections. The Notch Trail offers 'first-rate scenery' with views of Foy's Lake and the Flathead Valley. The Overlook Trail leads to Foy's Overlook, providing excellent views of the valley and featuring wildflowers, particularly in the spring. You'll also see surrounding mountain ranges like the Swan Range.

The loop offers diverse terrain. The Notch Trail starts as an easy singletrack through trees, becoming steeper with more roots and rocks in its second half. The Overlook Trail begins as a two-track before narrowing to singletrack, featuring some moderately demanding climbs. Plum Creek Road is a dirt/gravel road, relatively easy physically but includes notable elevation changes.

The trail is popular year-round for various activities. Spring is particularly beautiful for wildflowers along the Overlook Trail. Given its multi-use nature, it's accessible for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding across different seasons, but always check local conditions before heading out.

Yes, Herron Park, where this loop is located, is generally dog-friendly. However, it's always best to keep your dog on a leash and practice Leave No Trace principles to ensure a pleasant experience for all users and protect the local wildlife.

No, there are typically no permits or entrance fees required to access Herron Park or hike this loop. It's a publicly accessible park for outdoor recreation.

The loop is located in Herron Park, just minutes from downtown Kalispell. You can find parking areas within Herron Park itself, which provide convenient access to the trailheads for this loop and other connecting paths.

Yes, this loop is part of Herron Park's extensive network. Plum Creek Road, in particular, acts as a central artery, providing access to numerous other trails within the system. This allows for the creation of various custom loops and longer routes. The route itself also passes through sections of the Family Trail, Notch Trail, Overlook Trail, and Boundary Trail.

While the overall difficulty is rated easy, sections of the Notch and Overlook trails can be moderately challenging with steeper grades and uneven terrain. Families with younger children or beginners might find the Plum Creek Road section more consistently easy, but should be prepared for the varied conditions on the singletrack portions. It's a great option for those looking for accessible outdoor adventures with some challenge.

Herron Park offers accessible wilderness just outside Kalispell. While specific amenities like restrooms or water sources might be limited directly on the trail, the park provides parking and serves as a gateway to a vast network of multi-use trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.