Glacier National Park
Highline Trail to Grinnell Glacier Overlook
Grinnell Glacier Overlook
Glacier is my favorite national park in the United States. There are many trails to explore, a good first choice would be the Highline Trail that leads to the overlook above Grinnell Glacier.
One of the top hikes in the world
One of the top hikes in the world
View along the Highline Trail
It is best done as a one way hike from Logan Pass to Loop pass using the park shuttle (13 miles, 1400ft). If the smaller Loop Pass parking lot is full, a round trip from Logan Pass could be done (15 miles).
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Even on some of the more popular trails, there tend to be wildlife encounters
Boulder Pass Trail
There are three ways to reach the Boulder Pass/ Hole-in-the-Wall area in northern Glacier, which so far I consider to be the most beautiful area in the park. I chose the route from Canada starting in Waterton Lakes National Park.
USA-Canada Border
The Waterton boat shuttle takes you across the border to Goat Haunt at the south end of lake where the hike begins through the Olson Creek valley
Lake Janet
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Lake Francis
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Lake Francis is the best of the campsites down low, I stayed at Lake Janet on the return walk.
Thunderbird Falls
Close to freezing temperatures in late September, I was glad to reach Brown Pass where the cold rain turned to sleet
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Approaching Hole-in-the-Wall
Hole-in-the-Wall Campground
Walked slower than normal following these tracks up the pass in the morning fog, making sure they stayed in the lead
Boulder Pass
Boulder Pass Campground
Took my shirt and wouldn't give it back
I had a free day in the Boulder Pass area and climbed Boulder peak for a great view of Pocket Lake and the western peaks
Boulder Peak Summit looking west towards Kinnerly
Gardner Point
Thunderbird Mountain
Check out the Enjoy your Parks page for details on how to reach the Boulder Pass overlook trail and how to climb Boulder peak
Boulder Pass Overlook
Dawson Pitamakan Pass Loop
One that I would like to revisit on a clear day. The hike starts at the Two Medicine Campground and is best done as a loop starting towards Dawson Pass and returning from Pitamakan Pass (15 miles, 2500 ft elevation gain).
Iceberg Lake/ Ptarmigan Tunnel
Iceberg Lake
Ptarmigan Tunnel/Iceberg Lake share the same trailhead and split a few miles into the trail (9 miles, 1200 ft return from Iceberg Lake, additional 5 miles 1500 ft return from the tunnel).
Ptarmigan Tunnel
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Wildlife
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