This is a busy trail, unless you get an early start you are going to see more people then animals.
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 outcroppings 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. Turnaround & 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 ($8.00 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 easiest access trail to see wildflowers. Hidden Lake Overlook Trail behind Logan Pass Visitor Center is the most accessible trail to see Glacier Lilies. |
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HighLine Trail opened to hikers July 19, 2008.
It's not a good idea to make long range plans for this trail being open before mid July.
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 offs 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 above 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.