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Virginia Falls



It's a very short walk, not even what I would call a hike to Saint Mary Falls. The trail drops two hundred sixty feet from the road and is almost a mile from the parking area. After you have enjoyed the view and the spray from St Mary Falls you can continue over the bridge along along the trail to Virginia Falls. Virginia Falls is just over half a mile from Saint Mary Falls and gains two hundred eighty five feet. I tend to visit these falls as soon as the Going-to-the-Sun Road opens to this point. In the past parking was limited at this trailhead so I don't know how crowded this trail has become since the start of the Free Going-to-the-Sun Road Shuttle System.

st mary falls glacier national park

Note: there are a series of small falls between St Mary Falls and Virginia Falls. Photo below shows one of the falls before Virginia Falls which is shown above.

Frequently visitors think that this small waterfall is Virginia Falls and don't continue on to the actual Virginia Falls.

not virginia falls glacier park

mama goatmoose rising
danger sign glacier national park

There are numerous waterfalls, small and large in Glacier National Park. Saint Mary Falls and Virginia Falls are some of the more spectacular falls with easy access.

Drowning, not driving off the edge of Going to the Sun Road, or being eaten by a bear, is the leading cause of accidental death in Glacier Park. When I hike in Glacier National Park I always carry bear spray.

The major hazard for hikers is being overcome by the glory of the view and NOT paying attention to were they are walking!

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