big horn ram glacier national park © shawn coggins
call art logofoget me knots


Logan Pass Opened July 13, 2011.

In the past I've resisted putting up a 'Best Hikes' page but for 2011 it should really be called were can I hike. As of 7-29-2001 the Alpine Trails aare slowly opening. The first week of August should see another round of Alpine Trails opening. The best hikes listed here are based on a combination of first hand experience in 2011 and or reports from the NPS Trail Crews on trails that I have hiked in the past. What is open changes daily so this year it is important before going from one side of the park to the other to check with the Glacier Park Visitor Center for current trail status and conditions. Even then you might get to a trail that you were told was open and find that it is closed. This happened to me recently.

The following link is to Glacier Park Trail Report page Trail Status At this point I'm more likely to be on a trail then sitting at my computer.

Highline Trail won't open before August 2011, well I was off by three days on the Highline Trail as it opened on 7-29-11. I asked at Logaon Pass about it on 7-28-11 and was told that they had no idea when it would open. Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trail won't open before July 31, 2011, Siyeh Bend to Sunrift won't open till mid August, 2011, Piegan Pass to Many Glacier won't open until early August, 2011. Snowline as of July 29, 2011 is at 6,300 feet, lots of much higher elevatioins are now snow free but there is still significant amounts of snow at Logan Pass at 6,646 feet.


Glacier Park has recently been posting more explicit warning notes at the start of trails. "You are entering a wilderness area and must accept certain inherent dangers, including snow, steep terrain, water and wildlife.

There is no guarantee of your safety."

   Best hikes for early season hiking
   Glacier National Park 2011

Best Day hikes Logan Pass

Logan Pass opened July 13, 2011

  • The Loop Trail to Granite Park Chalet
    4 miles gains 2200 feet
    Snow line around 6,400 feet
    Since the Roberts\Trapper peak fires in 2003
    there isn't much shade between
    the Loop & Granite Park Chalet.
    there is no Free water available at the Chalet
    (the signs tell you there is No Potable Water)
    you can buy snacks, sodas, & water at the Chalet during season
  • Altitude at Chalet, 6680 feet, is slightly higher then Logan Pass, 6,646 feet.
    Strenuous hike


  • Hidden Lake Overlook
     Google™ Map Hidden Lake Logan Pass
    Opened July 13, 2011
    1.5 miles gains 460 feet
    Hike starts at 6,600 feet ~ many hikers will notice the 460 feet gain
    20% Snow Cover
    Steep Snowfields
    Hazardous snow bridges
    and creek crossings ahead
    Caution Advised
     This is a very crowded trail.
    Lots of 'hikers' unprepared for winter conditions in July!
    This year there will be even more 'hikers' unprepared for winter conditions in August!
    Easy hike or Moderate hike depending on your reaction
    to the altitude!
    This trail will have some snow cover till late August!



  • The Highline Trail to Granite Park Chalet
    Late July possibly August 2011
    7.6 miles gains 200 feet
    There is no Free water available at the Chalet
    (the signs tell you there is No Potable Water)
    you can buy snacks, sodas, and water at the Chalet during season
    No Shade! Start of trail is very narrow. (cable along rock wall)
    Easy hike or Strenuous hike depending on how far you hike

    • Best Day hikes West Side

    • Apgar Lookout Trail
      3.3 miles elevation gain 1,850 feet
      No Shuttle Service
      Take the first left after entering the park at West Glacier Entrance Station
      Check the map to locate trailhead.
      hike goes through remains of Roberts Fire
      Watch out for falling trees!
      No Shade, No Water
      Moderately Strenuous hike
      Can be very Windy
      Great views of Lake McDonald
      Hazard from falling trees

    • Avalanche Lake Trail
       Google™ Map of Avalanche Lake Trail
      2 miles gains 560 feet
      (rolling hills actual ascent closer to 800 feet)
      for views on the west side of Glacier Park.
      Crowds, difficult to find peace and quiet on this trail!
      Spectacular View at Avalanche Lake, Old Growth Forest, waterfalls
      A new avalanche which crosses Avalanche Lake Trail
      opens up new views of the Logan Pass mountains.
      After observing thousands of hikers on this trail, I rate this a
      Moderate hike.


    • Mount Brown Lookout Trail
       Google™ Map Mount Brown  Snyder Lake Trails
      topo map Mount Brown
      5.3 miles elevation gain 4,325 feet
      Trail clear of snow 8-21-11
      Snyder Lake, Sperry Chalet, Fish Lake and Mount Brown
      Share the same trail for the first two miles.
      I hiked this for the first time in July of 2008, but didn't make it to the Lookout!
      Mid September of 2008 made it to the Lookout. Great views, brutal hike.
      It's a mile shorter and a 1,000 feet more elevation gain the Sperry Chalet Trail
      Brutal Hike
      Great Views
      Bring Extra Water!


    • Rocky Point Trail
      (Inner) North Fork Road
      Trailhead is one half mile from Fish Creek Campground Entrance
      1.1 miles elevation gain 85 feet
      Nice Views
      Wildflowers
      Easy hike

    • Snyder Lake Trail
      topo
      4.4 miles elevation gain 2,147 feet
      Snyder Lake, Sperry Chalet, Fish Lake and Mount Brown
      Share the same trail for the first two miles.
      Old growth forest, spectacular view at Snyder Lake
      Strenuous hike


    • Trail of the Cedars
      0.7 miles no elevation gain
      Wheelchair access
      Old Growth Forest, great waterfall
      Easy hike


    Best Day hikes Two Medicine

    Best Day hikes Many Glacier

    • Apikuni Falls Trail
      TRAIL REOPEND 7/19/2011
      Closed 7-18-11
      1.0 miles elevation gain 700 feet
      700 feet elevation gain occurs in 3/4 of a mile
      Trailhead is on your right shortly after you lose sight of
      Sherburne Lake (reservoir)
      wildflowers, views, waterfall
      No Shuttle Service
      Moderately Strenuous hike

    • Grinnell Glacier Trail
      Google™ Maps Grinnell Glacier
      5.5 miles from Many Glacier Hotel elevation gain 1,600 feet
      3.8 miles gains 1,600 feet from the head of Josephine Lake
      by way of Glacier Boat.
      Views, views & more views!
      Crowds, heavily traveled trail.
      Limited Shuttle Service
      Bring extra water or a water filter
      Strenuous hike
      Opened 8-22-2011
      Bear frequenting Notice 8-22-11

    • Redrock Falls Trail (Swiftcurrent Pass Trail)
      1.8 miles elevation gain 100 feet
      Easy hike
      No Shuttle Service
      A Very Easy hike.
      Great views, lakes & waterfalls!
      Lots of wildlife
      Moose, bighorn sheep, grizzly bears, black bears,
      grouse & wolverine.
      (you probably won't see any wolverine)
      The wolverine trap (live) might still be there.
      Easy hike

    • Iceberg Lake Trail
      4.8 miles elevation gain 1,200 feet
      Crowds, heavily traveled trail.
      Limited Shuttle Service
      Strenuous hike

    Best Day hikes Saint Mary

    • Baring Falls
      0.3 miles drops 250 feet
      wildflowers in early summer
      a series of smaller falls before reaching Baring Falls
      Easy hike

    • Beaver Pond Trail
      1.2 miles gains 150 feet
      Parking area has trails signs for Red Eagle Trail
      but not for Beaver Pond (new sign added last fall)
      The Beaver Pond Loop Trail intersects
      Red Eagle Trail.
      Beaver Pond Loop Trail is the Best wildflower
      trail in June/July.
    • Easy hike


    • Otokomi Lake Trail
      Rose Creek Trail
      5.2 miles gains 1,900 feet
      Bring extra water!
      Lots of wildflowers
      Lots of waterfalls
      Lots of views from the trail
      Lots of fish easily visible fish at Otokomi Lake
      Did I mention bring Extra water
      Strenuous hike

    • St Mary Falls
      0.8 miles drops 260 feet to St Mary Falls
      Easy hike


    • Virginia Falls
      0.8 miles drops 260 feet to St Mary Falls
      0.7 miles gains 285 feet to Virginia Falls
      Exercise care on bridges, and wet rocks
      Easy hike

    Limited Shuttle Service started July 1, 2011.
    Full shuttle service started July 13, 2011
    Stops September 2, 2011
    First Shuttle up from Apgar and St. Mary is at 7:00 AM

    Last Shuttle down from Logan Pass
    is at 7:00 pm.

    Free Shuttle Service started on July 1, 2011, with limited service. Logan Pass opened on July 13, 2011.

    I'm estimating that Logan Pass will open on or around July 13, 2011. Based on were the plows are today, June 24 2011 and were the plows were last year on June 4 2010. (fourth)

    The Going to the Sun Road will be closed from 9 PM to 7 AM during the summer between The Loop and Logan Pass, except for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights! Plan accordingly.

    Were to hike this year during the early hiking season is one of the most common questions. Glacier Park considers the early season to be from May 1 to June 30. This year a more realistic definition would be from May 15th to July 15th 2011. This page lists a short (this year) list of best hikes.

    Be sure to stop at one of the visitor centers in the park, East Glacier Visitor Center is open till 8 pm West Glacier Visitor Center closes at 5 pm. Ask for the 'Day Hikes in Glacier' and the "Ranger-Led Activity Schedule'. 'Day Hikes in Glacier' contains trail maps and info regarding 68 hikes in the park. Ranger-Led Activity Schedule gives the times and locations for some 20 Ranger-Led hikes in the park plus other ranger-guided activity. YOU have to ask for these guides by name, usually they are available at the entrance stations. (starting in 2010 most entrance stations have the guide)

    Going To The Sun Road to Logan Pass opened July 13, 2011. will be subject to the following delays and closures until September 18, 2011 when it will close for the season. Due to budget cuts the Glacier Shuttle (I can't call it a hikers shuttle anymore due to the shorter hours) for 2011 operates from 7 am to 7 pm. In 2007 it operated from 7 am to 9:30 pm. As a result the Glacier Shuttle is no longer a viable option for long hikes. Limited Shuttle Service started on July 1st 2011. Regular shuttle service started July 13, 2011.

    The hiking season for Glacier National Park is fairly short. 2011 will most likely be the shortest high altitude hiking season ever. 2010 joined 2008 as a short season high altitude hiking season. Many popular trails didn't open until late July and some of those still had significant snow cover.

    The hiking season for Glacier National Park for higher elevation trails is much shorter. Trails that start or go above 6,000 feet usually have snow until early July. It can snow any time during the summer but these trails tend to be open from early July till late September. Some years I'm able to hike at the upper elevations until mid October. Many of the day hikes in Glacier National Park are very crowded. Most of the crowds don't get on the trails until midday. For the longer hikes an early start is essential but it can be of equal benefit on the shorter trails if you are looking for tranquility.

    “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”     Mark Twain


    Hidden Lake Overlook Trail Glacier National Park www.glacierhikers.com © Shawn Coggins wild blue flax

    The photo of Wild Blue Flax flowers was taken on an easy hike to the first meadow on the Red Eagle Trail. The Red Eagle Trail is accessed from Saint Mary. © Shawn Coggins
    2008 was a great wildflower year in Glacier National Park. The bear grass was not as spectacular as during 2005.

    hidden lake shrouded in smoke 2003

    The mountains shrouded in smoke from the Roberts Fire of 2003 from the deck above Hidden Lake. Hidden Lake Trail is one of the more popular hikes in Glacier National Park. The Hidden Lake Trail starts behind the Visitor Center at Logan Pass.