Logan Pass to Open July 13, 2011Going-to-the-Sun Road opened across Logan Pass to motorized vehicle traffic mid-day Thursday, June 24, 2010.
This year when Logan Pass opens most of the alpine trails will still be impassable due to snow. Highline Trail is CLOSED, other trails will require winter hiking skills and equipment.
The Logan Pass area includes hikes starting from the Loop, Logan Pass and Siyeh Bend, has the shortest hiking season of ALL areas inside of Glacier Park. In the past The Going To The Sun Road used to open up to The Loop and to Siyeh Bend as a preliminary to opening Logan Pass. This has not been the case for at least the last five years while construction takes place in the alpine sections of The Going To The Sun Road. To add insult to injury the fall season will be shortened to September 18, 2011. I really miss going to Logan Pass in October! Alpine Hiking Season this year will be a very short 63 days. I expect to be hiking with snowshoes/crampons/ski poles until mid August 2011 for the Alpine hikes. Use the trail map link to locate the starting area for a particular hike. The Logan Pass section of Day Hikes in Glacier starts at Avalanche Lake on the west and extends to Sunrift Gorge on the east side. So the starting altitude for these trails varies from 3,000 feet for Avalanche Lake Trail to 6,600 feet for the Highline Trail at Logan Pass. There aren't any trailheads between The Loop and Logan Pass. The Highline Trail which starts across from the Logan Pass parking lot covers the area from Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet over seven and half miles of open trail. The Loop Trail connects the Loop to Granite Park Chalet; from The Loop it's a steady uphill grind for four miles and 2,200 feet. This day hikes list starts on the west side of Glacier National Park and heads east on Going to the Sun Road.
- Avalanche Lake
Google™ Map of Avalanche Lake Trail
2 miles gains 500 feet
(rolling hills actual ascent closer to 1,000 feet)
Until Logan Pass opens this trail is one of the best trails
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.
- The Loop Trail to Granite Park Chalet
4 miles gains 2200 feet
Since the Roberts\Trapper peak fires in 2003
there isn't much shade between
the Loop and 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, and water at the Chalet during season
Two miles of snow as of 7/2/11
Strenuous hike
- The Loop Trail to Granite Park Chalet, the Swiftcurrent Pass to Many Glacier
Late July possibly August 2011
11 miles gains 2,600 feet drops 2,300 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
Brutal hike
- 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
- The Highline/Granite Park Chalet/Loop Trail
Late July possibly August 2011
11.6 miles gains 200 feet drops 2200 feet
No Shade! Start of trail is very narrow. (cable along rock wall)
Strenuous hike
- The Highline/Granite Park Chalet/SwiftCurrent Trail
15.1 miles gains 700 feet drops 2300 feet
No Shade! Start of trail is very narrow. (cable along rock wall)
Brutal hike
- Hidden Lake Overlook
Google™ Map Hidden Lake Logan Pass
1.5 miles gains 511 feet
Hike starts at 6,600 feet ~ many hikers will notice the 511 feet gain
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 can have snow cover till late July!
- Hidden Lake
Google™ Map Hidden Lake Logan
Late July possibly August 2011
1.5 miles from Hidden Lake Overlook down 780 feet, steep
lots of steps.
Moderate hike
- Siyeh Bend/Piegen Pass
Late July possibly August 2011
4.5 miles to Piegen Pass gains 1750 feet
Siyeh Trailhead elevation 5850 feet
Piegan Pass elevation 7570 feet.
Moderate hike
- Siyeh Bend/Piegen Pass/Many Glacier Topo
12.8 miles to Many Glacier gains 1,750 feet, drops 2,640 feet
Siyeh Trailhead elevation 5850 feet
Piegan Pass elevation 7570 feet.
Many Glacier Elevation 4,890 feet
The Siyeh Bend Trail splits from the Piegen Pass Trail
at Preston Park.
No crowds! Don't attempt Piegen Pass when trail has snow cover!
Strenuous hike
- Siyeh Bend/SunRift Gorge
Late July possibly August 2011
11.1 miles gains 2,250 feet drops 3,440 feet
It's worth the effort!
Supposed to be the highest day hike pass in the park.
Views of two glaciers from this trail.
Trailhead elevation 5850 feet
Siyeh Pass elevation 8080 feet
Sunrift Gorge elevation 4760 feet
Off trail access to the base of Sexton Glacier.
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
Easy hike
- Baring Falls
0.3 miles drops 250 feet
wildflowers in early summer
a series of smaller falls before reaching Baring Falls
Easy hike
- SunRift Gorge/Siyeh Bend
Late July possibly August 2011
11.1 miles gains 3,440 feet drops 2,250 feet
Supposed to be the highest day hike pass in the park.
Views of two glaciers from this trail.
This way is for people who want to maximize their uphill hike &
minimize their downhill hike.
Off trail access to the base of Sexton Glacier.
Brutal hike
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