Kintla Lake

Kintla Lake

Fog rolls over the lake's surface, caused by the differing temperatures of the air and the water
Location Glacier National Park, Flathead County, Montana, US
Coordinates 48°57′53″N 114°18′10″W / 48.96472°N 114.30278°WCoordinates: 48°57′53″N 114°18′10″W / 48.96472°N 114.30278°W[1]
Type Natural
Primary inflows Kintla Creek
Primary outflows Kintla Creek
Basin countries United States
Max. length 5 mi (8.0 km)
Max. width 0.8 mi (1.3 km)
Surface area 1,698 acres (6.87 km2)
Surface elevation 4,008 ft (1,222 m)

Kintla Lake is a lake in the northwestern portion of Glacier National Park in Montana.[2] The lake is located in a rather remote portion of the park, close to the Canadian border. The lake is a 40 mi (64 km) drive from the west entrance along bumpy dirt roads, but the scenery on the way is spectacular. At 1,698 acres (687 ha), Kintla Lake is only slightly smaller than Bowman Lake, and is the fourth largest lake in the park.

Kintla originates from the Kutenai word for "sack". Kutenai legend states that a man had apparently drowned in one of the lakes which likened the lake to a sack where "once you got in, you couldn't get out".[3]

Canoeing and kayaking are ideal on the lake, as no motorized watercraft are allowed. There is a quiet campground on the lake, and it is rarely filled because of its remote location. Fishing is also popular on the lake, because of the trout found in it. There are also options for day hikes and extended hikes into the backcountry in the area.[4]

See also

List of lakes in Flathead County, Montana (A-L)

References

  1. "Kintla Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  2. "Kintla Lake, MT" (Map (USGS Quad)). TopoQuest. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  3. Arguimbau, Ellie; Baumler, Ellen; Porsild, Ellen; Shovers, Brian (2009). Montana Place Names from Alzada to Zortman. Montana Historical Society. p. 142. ISBN 9780975919613. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  4. "Glacier National Park - Kintla Lake Campground". National Park Service. Retrieved 2011-03-06.