This is an easily accessible hike. Parking can be at a premium at Logan Pass. This trail is pretty narrow in spots. Frequently the complete trail to Glacier Park Chalet won't open until mid July because of snow on the trail. This is one of the best trails to hike when you don't have a lot of time as the views and potentially the flowers can be very dramatic after only a very short distance. 
This photograph of a big horn ram with tracking collar was taken in August of 2005. Big horn sheep can frequently be found on the Highline Trail when the wildflowers are blooming. Remember that mountain goats and big horn sheep have the right of way on the Highline Trail. The Hidden Lake Overlook Trail usually has a more dense concentration of mountain goats. On the Highline Trail the mountain goats take to the rocky outcropping above the trail. Granite Park Chalet will be open July 1, 2008 through September 6, 2008, you can buy snacks & water at Granite Park Chalet. It nice to sit at a table inside the Chalet and drink a semi-chilled drink. There is little to no shade on the HighLine Trail, being able to rest in the shade with water that you didn't carry for 7.6 miles is one of the simple pleasures of life. | |
Photo on right is of two of the out buildings at Granite Park Chalet. After resting up at Granite Park Chalet you have multiple hiking options. Turn around & hike back to Logan Pass, pick up the Loop Trail and hike down to the Loop Parking ~ Loop Shuttle Stop, 4 miles and a descent of 2,200 feet. Or for the very ambitious hiker pick up the Swiftcurrent Trail & hike up about 500 feet to Swiftcurrent Pass ~ Swiftcurrent Glacier and then down 2,300 feet & 7.6 miles to Many Glacier. In Many Glacier you can catch the EastSide shuttle ($10.00 cash ONLY) back to St... Mary Visitor Center. If you go to Many Glacier remember to bring your park pass as you will need it to re-enter the park at the St. Mary Entrance Station.  The Highline Trail is the best and one of the easiest access trail to see wildflowers. Hidden Lake Overlook Trail behind Logan Pass Visitor Center is the most accessible trail to see Glacier Lilies. The Beaver Pond Trail has a wonderful show of wildflowers early in the hiking season |
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Highline Trail
WEST GLACIER, MONT. -The popular Highline Trail at Logan Pass is anticipated to be open by Friday, possibly earlier. Hikers are encouraged to plan ahead and be prepared. Hikers may encounter rocks and mud on trails, eroded trail tread, and some snowfields on higher elevation trails across the park.
NPS Press Release
Logan Pass opened June 19, 2012 . . .
Highline Trail opened 7-26-12.
Logan Pass opened on July 13, 2011. . .
Highline Trail opened 7-30-11 .
The damage caused by last years rock slide has been repaired!
Well actually I'm happy there was a rock slide last year as the trail in that spot had been deteriorating for years.
The NPS allotted time and money to effect a much more permanent repair to the trail at that spot! Great wildflower year.
Sometime between 8-30-11 and 9-5-11 there was a small landslide of rocks across the Highline Trail just past were the cable ends.
For experienced hikers it means being careful of your footing. For inexperienced hikers it would be a good time to turn around!
The area at at Rim Rocks has continued to dump small rocks on to the HighLine Trail. It is possible that the trail crew might need to restrict traffic at Rim Rocks in order to make trail repairs.
NPS Trail Crew Report: 2012 Logan Pass - Granite Park Chalet/ 7.6 mi.
Scheduled to open 8/3/1
TRAIL CLOSURE: from Logan Pass to Haystack Butte, for snow hazards 6/19/12
Initial clearing scheduled for: 7/5/12.
Safety handline cable: installation scheduled for 6/30/12.
Narrow Trail Advisory: There is a narrow section of trail about 1/4 mile from the Trailhead at Logan Pass about 100 feet in length. Use caution while traversing. Do not kick or dislodge rock
Trail POSTED for snow hazards
Initial clearing scheduled for: 7/5/12.
NPS Trail Crew Report: 2011
Safety handline cable: Removed 9/12/11
Narrow Trail Advisory: Recent washout approximately 1/4 mile from the Trailhead at Logan Pass left a narrow trail about 100 feet in length. Use caution while traversing. Do not kick or dislodge rock.
Loop Trail ~ Trail POSTED: for bear frequenting 9/7/11
Vehicle access to Logan Pass will be available from the east side of the park through Sunday, October 16, 2011
weather permitting. . . . the last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle from the west side will be Sunday, September 18. Vehicle traffic will be restricted on the west side at Avalanche Creek beginning Monday, September 19. 2011
Aso of 8-30-11 one small patch of snow on Highline Trail but snow is predicted for 8-31-11
Peak wildflowers on Highline Trail as of 8-3-11
Wildflowers have past their peak but still abundant 8-13-11
Streams are starting to dry up. 8-13-11
Trail between Logan Pass and Haystack clear of snow. 8-13-11
I'm hoping that the summer of 2012 will be a bear grass special year for the HighLine Trail.
Parking at Logan Pass, since the Highline Trail opened during the sort summers - 2011- was at a premium. Logan Pass parking lot is filling up just after 9 am and remaining full until after 4 PM. This has not settled as of 8-13-11, otherwise take the free NPS Shuttle to Logan Pass. The snow around the start of the trail at Logan Pass has melted in the past few days as of 8-3-11, the snow at Haystack is going to take longer to melt out. Between Logan Pass and Haystack there were a few short snow covered parts to the Highline Trail when the trail opened but these have now melted as of 8-13-11. There are still several wet creek crossings.
From News Release 7-30-11WEST GLACIER, MT. – The popular Highline Trail at Logan Pass is open to foot travel, but some of the trail is still covered by snow and ice.
Snow drifts exist in areas of the trail and drop-offs between the edge of a drift and the trail exist in some locations. It is recommended to hike with appropriate hiking and self-arrest equipment, including an ice axe, hiking poles, appropriate boots, and knowledge on how to use the equipment, and awareness of individual hiking skills and limitations. All hikers are encouraged to turn around if conditions exceed what is comfortable or beyond personal experience and limitations.
It's not a good idea to make long range plans for this trail being open before mid July.
HighLine Trail opened to hikers July 19, 2008. Snowfall in 2008 was significantly less then snowfall in 2011. Do NOT make plans for hiking this trail before August 2011. Well this year the Highline Trail opened July 29, 2011.
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.
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One of the benefits of the Highline Trail is the ability to hike a very short distance and still have a good hiking experience. Logan Pass - Granite Park Chalet/ 7.6 mi.
Initial clearing scheduled for: Complete 7/28/11 The HighLine Trail is one of the best view trails in Glacier Park. The HighLine Trail is also one of the best wildflower trails in Glacier National Park. The HighLine Trail opened July 8, 2010, which was not a heavy snowfall year. HighLine Trail starts at Logan Pass across from the Logan Pass Parking lot. There is a short narrow spot on the trail after the first quarter of a mile were you are directly above The Going To The Sun Road and up against a rock wall. There is a cable along the trail at this spot. If you are frightened by heights with sharp drop off right at the edge of the trail, then this isn't the trail for you. There is a small band of bighorn rams frequenting the Highline Trail, I managed to get clear of this narrow spot just moments before these bighorn rams appeared. |
| The green in the photo to the right of a bighorn ram on the Highline Trail is a garden hose which covers a steel cable attached to the rock wall. This part of the trail is about three feet wide with a twenty foot drop down onto The Going To The Sun Road. I've lost track of how many times I have hiked this trail, but July of 2005 was by far the best from the profusion of wildflowers along the trail. Late July and early August were good wildflower viewing times on the Highline Trail in 2008. This is a busy trail, unless you get an early start you are going to see more people then animals.
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