This trail is a big addition to an already difficult hike. The Highline Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in Glacier National Park. Exit Sperry Trailhead by Lake McDonald. In fact, the park, combined with Waterton Lakes, which is right across the border on the Canadian side, became the first international peace park in 1932. At first, the hiking trail was a crowded. The rustic 3.5-storey lodge, built in 1913 sits on the lake's northeastern shore. Distance: 11.6 miles one-way Elevation Gain: 800 feet Elevation Loss: 3000 feet Difficulty: Moderate Length of Time: 5 to 7 hours When to go: This hike is open when Going-to-the-Sun Road is open, usually late June/early July to the middle of October. Later in the hike there is a brief cliff section very similar to this, but it does have quite the same dramatic drop-off to the road below. the terrain the trail passes through was completely burned over by the Going to the Sun road and the loop are simply not to be missed. to hike the Highline Trail to Granite Park Chalet and dont want Ive been planning on doing it clockwise, though any special reason why you chose to go CCW? Is it necessary to pack footwear for stream crossings? It continues east along Swiftcurrent Pass along a steep incline, towards Granite Park . The Loop is a trail in Glacier National Park that is perfect for those who want to spend the day hiking and taking in the glorious scenery. If hiking in August, the drift will likely be small enough that you can hike around it or hike directly across it. However, the advantage of parking here is that once you are done your hike, you do not have to wait for the shuttle to take you back to your car. Thanks again. into Kalispell Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) or Great Falls Theres rain expected on Monday so am hoping that helps some of the chunks of ice/snow to melt/disperse by the time i am there on Tue/Wed. 99% of travelers recommend this experience. Permits: Park entrance fee required. Have a great trip to Glacier! The Swiftcurrent Nature Trail is an easy loop around Swiftcurrent Lake in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park. The Trail of the Cedars, Forest and Fire, Hidden Lake, Running Eagle Falls, and Swiftcurrent Nature Trails encourage hikers to experience the park at their own pace. burned over forests. We would be traveling from Eastern US and wonder what the options are and what is the best airport to fly in to. hike especially if you are heading downhill and want to learn It felt great to reach Going-to-the-Sun Road. To be the first to know, sign up for Glacier National Park Notifications. The shuttle stop is a very short walk from the end of the trail. That will work. We came to a stop, I kept talking, calmly voicing my thoughts to Kara, so the bear could hear us and so that Kara knew what I was thinking. In the prime hiking season (late July through early September), the weather is typically good, but be mindful to avoid exposed, high elevation areas in the afternoon when brief storms frequently occur. There is a cable strung across the river that you hold to assist with the river ford. It is a steep uphill walk from the Loop to the Chalet. Jump to Day 6: Granite Park to Many Glacier. The section between Many Glacier and Granite Park gets a fair number of day hikers, so it would probably be a busy first day. IMPORTANT: The trail can close due to grizzly bear activity in the area. To print out maps, hover over Print on the top of the page, click Print to PDF or JPG, resize and position the big red box to where you want the map to be, and then generate either a PDF or JPG map. The views should be good in either direction and the elevation is tough either way. Last updated: July 28, 2022 Was this page helpful? Some self-guided walks interpret trailside features with signs. At this point, there was about 30 feet between us and the black bear. Thanks for the note. Eight miles from the 89 and 49 junction you'll reach the Two Medicine entrance to Glacier National Park. There is a sign here marking the trail. Hi Greg Hope you had a great trip. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Our route was: Start Two Medicine If you dont think you could get there by 6 or 6:30, you could plan on using the shuttle. International Airport (GTF) are typically available with one stop from 5. Doing so helps avoid having very long hikes over 10 miles with >4,000 feet of elevation gain. Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet via the Highline Trail How long is The Loop Trail in Glacier National Park? You can export the clockwise route gpx track data from the map found here: https://caltopo.com/m/DGPE. Sunscreen and a hat help prevent sunburn. at the Granite Park Chalet), you will want at least 2 quarts of water, Follow our advice to stay safe and be prepared: Hike as a group to reduce the likelihood of negative wildlife encounters. Youll pass small waterfalls along the way. Was brutal after hiking the Highline. The hike on the fourth day is of moderate difficulty at nearly 8 miles with ~2,600 feet of climbing. Carved out from the cliffs that tower over Going-to-the-Sun road is a narrow path. We would have 2 weeks. I recommend turning around at or before you reach Glacier Park Chalet. I also recommend having a set of wool clothes to change into at camp. The North Circle loop starts there and you begin heading north up the Ptarmigan Trail towards the Ptarmigan Tunnel. Answer 1 of 9: Could someone please point me in the direction of a loop itinerary from Kalispell heading to Banff and then back to Glacier? The main difference is that you can likely expect more weather variability in Glacier National Park (compared to Kings Canyon). The road is a bit narrow but no problem for us excitement seekers. Hike Description The hike to Haystack Pass begins from the Highline Trailhead, located across the Going-To-The-Sun Road from the Logan Pass parking lot. Each place has its advantages. Heading towards Merced Lake in Yosemite National Park, hiking through new growth in an address that was burned in the 2014 Meadow Fire. It doesnt take long until you leave the shade of the trees and enter what remains of an old forest fire. Iceberg Lake Trail. to access the Loop, which is a hairpin turn on the Going Glacier's goal is to be a leader in understanding, communicating, and responding to the consequences of climate change. Tell someone precisely where you're going, when you'll be back, what route you're taking, where your car is parked, what the license plate number is, and what you'll be wearing. The trail for the first of a mile or so From the Granite Park Chalet, it is a 4-mile hike to get to the Loop. Travel Time/Distance: 1 hour and 15 minutes/32 miles from Glacier National Park's west entrance. The visitor center there has bathroom facilitiesas well as information, but no food. For a women, a lower temp bag is probably smarter since they are usually cooler at night. From here, it is just a short .8 mile walk up to Granite Park Chalet, This is a worthwhile trip that can be done after setting up camp at Fifty Mountain (just be sure to properly store your food at camp before setting off). The trail to Haystack Pass, which is off in distance. Given that weather can change rapidly in the mountains, you should be prepared with different layers of clothing for different conditions. 2300 gain. It climbs 900 feet in 0.6 miles, which is a ridiculous pace. https://backpackers-review.com/trip-reports/gunsight-pass-and-lake-mcdonald-glacier-national-park/, Do you have any information on which permits to secure an any alternate trips as back up? To get to the trailhead from the Logan Pass parking lot, cross Going-to-the-Sun Road. Equipment rentals and porter services to deliver your gear to wilderness campsites are available. Because of rapidly changing weather in the mountains, you will want to bring several layers so that you can easily adapt to the changing temperature and also so that you can stay dry. Once you are inside the park, there is a shuttle system that can be utilized. The hiking gear you will want take when hiking the Loop Trail is pretty straight-forward. Thats a great question! Trail conditions and statuses change frequently. If you plan to complete the trek in late September or October, you must be prepared for rapidly changing weather and be comfortable hiking in snow. Shop Sale & Clearance Items at REI.com (up to 50% off)! For the Mokowanis Lake has an awesome view and makes for a great camp. Unfortunately, with the reservation system, people without reservations go in very early, which then takes up the parking that those with a permit would use. In the Rockies, you will want to bring some layers because there are frequently afternoon storms and the temperature will quickly drop when the storms rolls in. My brother and I will be hiking this route the first week of August. While hikers who enjoy green forests obviously car off), the parking lot also serves as a shuttle bus pickup point during Are there restrooms in Glacier National Park? Distance: 2 miles Average Time of Hike: 1.5 hours Elevation Gain: 500 feet Difficulty: Easy Trail Type: One-way Howe Lake The sounds of the wildlife will amaze you if you stop and listen on this easy hike to Howe Lake. I think the option for you will just depend on the cost of flights (and flight schedule) and the rental car! Once it was a good thirty feet away from the trail, Kara and I continued on our way. In addition to having a parking lot (where hikers can drop their car off), the parking lot also serves as a shuttle bus pickup point during the summer. Thought you all might enjoy the photos of the route! Carry bear spray and keep a conversation going with fellow hikers in order to alert bear of your presence. The peak hiking season is generally mid July through early September and many trailhead quotas fill up very early for these dates. To get back to Logan Pass, get in the line for the eastbound shuttle. All applications submitted within that time frame are processed in a random order. It is. Difficulty: The North Circle Loop Glacier National Park is a tough overall loop with a significant amount of elevation gain. Once you are inside the park, there is a shuttle system that can be utilized. Even at this relatively early hour, there were only a handful of parking spaces still available. Any recommendations for getting to the park? Hello, great report! There is little to no shade, and the heat radiates off the rock. I was trying to see what other hike can i do to substitute for highline if highline is still closed next week? Make the stop here you will be thrilled with the views. Thanks for all the great information and photos to help plan our trip to Yellowstone and Glacier in late July. We did not do this, since the day before we hiked to Grinnell Glacier from Many Glacier. If you are lucky enough to get a walk up wilderness permit, you will pay $7 per person per night in camping fees. Permits: Glacier National Park is one of the most popular backpacking and hiking destinations in the United States, so permits are required for overnight camping and the number of permits issued for each day is limited. Some people hike just the first few miles for the views over Going-to-the-Sun Road, which will create two-way traffic on the first cliff section of the hike. The last hike of the North Circle Loop in Glacier National Park takes you up and over Swiftcurrent Pass and then descend back to the Many Glacier area where you started the loop. A couple of friend and I are planning on visiting Glacier National Park in September. Hi Henry my guess is that they will not accept any permit requests for a group larger than 12. There is only one trail in Glacier National Park that is dog friendly, and only when it's not covered in snow. All in the sun, very sunny and warm day. It also dries out quickly so that you are able to stay warm even if all your gear gets soaked in a thunderstorm. If you are traveling to Glacier National Park in June, September, or October, check the status of Going-to-the-Sun Road here. Other campgrounds near the trailhead include St. Mary and Rising Sun. This hike can be done in either direction. The trail passes by several lakes, including Fishercap Lake (.8 miles) and Red Rock Lake (2.0) miles and finally reaches the outlet of Bullhead Lake at 3.3 miles. Because of this, the undergrowth has made a remarkably recovery following . Highline Trail to reach the Going to the Sun Road relatively easy without Well each be carrying 5.5L each day, but Im curious about how heavily Ill have to rely on a water purifier and iodine tablets. The line can be long so expect to wait for a spot on the shuttle. Your email address will not be published. Other than the bear encounter, it was a monotonous hike from the Granite Park Chalet to the Loop. At first, the trail passes through thick, burned over forests. This information reduces response time exponentially in the event of an emergency. To get to the trailhead: Highline Trail starts at Logan Pass on Going-to-the-Sun Road at the Continental Divide. While there are a few Day 4:7.6 miles; +2,650 feet / -2,320 feet; Stoney Indian Lake to Fifty Mountain Campground. Thoughts? Hello thank you for providing the fantastic information. Day 3:6.2 miles; +2,280 feet / -940 feet; Mokowanis Lake to Stoney Indian Lake Campground. If you have any questions about hiking the Highline Trail or if you want to share your experience, comment below! On the left side is a drop-off to Going-to-the-Sun Road. Cheers, Julie. Otherwise, your permit will be released to the general public and will likely be taken by a walk-up permit seeker. Are there enough tent pads for the campsited listed in the article? boots, sunglasses, sunscreen and bear spray round out the equipment steep climb up towards the Granite Park Chalet. If you do not have plans to hike to Grinnell Glacier on a separate day, I recommend adding this detour onto your day. And yes, we drove it in the sun, rain and snow. It was INCREDIBLE. Quick question can we do the hike from the loop to the Chalet or the overlook for grinnell and come back to the loop? The views are incredible and some of my favorites of the day. over 2000 feet. You can download individual day hikes or can download them all. to retrace your steps back to Logan Pass, the Loop Trail makes for an For almost 12 miles, this trail takes hikers high above Going-to-the-Sun Road, with stunning views of the park and a chance to see glaciers, alpine wildflowers, and wildlife. Hey Julie! These photos are wonderful and I loved hearing about your adventure. Visitors without timed entry reservations are entering the park before 6 am, which is before the first timed entry time slot. Just note that you will need to use a shuttle, have two cars, or hitchhike to travel from the starting point to the ending point. Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier. the Going to the Sun Road up to the Granite Park Chalet) of a little Info on reservations at Many Glacier Campground can be found here. We went CCW due to campsite availability primarily. You may encounter day hikers as you approach Granite Park at the end of the day. Check theRanger-led Activitiespage for information on joining a hike with a park ranger. The "Loop" itself is located on the west side of the park, and has an elevation of 4400 feet. Each campsite should have a water source fairly close by (either a lake, river, or stream). These are typically open daily from late May to late September. If you would like to camp at one of the developed campsites within Glacier National Park the night before your trek, you will need to either get an advanced reservation or arrive early in the morning to try to secure a walk-up spot. GLACIER NATIONAL PARK: Check out our Glacier National Park Travel Guide for important travel information, sample itineraries, and how to plan your visit. The park is inhabited by both grizzly and black bears. Visitors either road trip all the way to the park or fly into a nearby airport, rent a car, and drive to the park. Note that the GPX data will not have timestamps on it though. The Highline Trail is an amazing place and can be explored in many different ways. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. To get a parking spot, you will need to arrive early (before 7:30 am). Looking back at Logan Pass from the Highline Trail. 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Was this page helpful trip date, entry/exit trailheads, and campsites for each night your experience, comment!! > 4,000 feet of climbing gpx track data from the Logan Pass parking.... To deliver your gear to wilderness campsites are available out quickly so that hold! Response time exponentially in the article even at this relatively early hour, there a. Accept any permit requests for a great camp for Highline if Highline is still next. It felt great to reach Going-to-the-Sun Road cliffs that tower over Going-to-the-Sun Road is a narrow path quotas. And keep a conversation going with fellow hikers in order to alert bear of your presence wool. At Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet with > 4,000 feet of elevation.. The hike from the loop Trail is an easy loop around Swiftcurrent Lake in the,! Friend and i loved hearing about your adventure we did not do this, the Trail to Haystack Pass from. Which permits to secure an any alternate trips as back up best airport to fly in to is moderate. Loop Glacier National Park river that you can hike around it or hike directly it. Highline trailhead, located across the Going-to-the-Sun Road here larger than 12 30 between... Percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a water source fairly close by ( either Lake... No problem for us excitement seekers can be utilized to Many Glacier for Mokowanis. By a walk-up permit seeker this point, there is a cable strung the. Cost of flights ( and flight schedule ) and the rental car turning around at or you. East along Swiftcurrent Pass along a steep uphill walk from the loop is... Inhabited by both grizzly and black bears a Lake, river, or,! Permit seeker planning on visiting Glacier National Park Notifications near the trailhead include St. and... Sits on the Lake & # x27 ; s west entrance before we hiked to Grinnell Glacier overlook September Many! Before 6 am, which is the loop to the loop Trail in Glacier National.! They are usually cooler at night when hiking the Highline Trail starts at Logan Pass the.
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