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Glacier National Park 


Highline Trail to Grinnell Glacier Overlook

Hiking Grinnell Glacier Overlook off the Highline Trail in Glacier
Grinnell Glacier Overlook
There are many trails to explore in Glacier National Park, a good first choice would be the Highline Trail that leads to the overlook above Grinnell Glacier
Highline Trail in Glacier National Park
View along the Highline Trail
​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).
Garden Wall from hiking the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park
Ram on the Highline Trail
Even on some of the more popular trails, there tend to be wildlife encounters
Hiking the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park

Boulder Pass Trail

Waterton Lakes boat shuttle
There are three ways to reach the Boulder Pass/ Hole-in-the-Wall area in northern section of the park. I chose the route from Canada starting in Waterton Lakes National Park.
USA Canada Border
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 in Glacier National Park
Lake Janet
Lake Francis in Glacier National Park
Lake Francis
Lake Francis is the best of the campsites down low, I stayed at Lake Janet on the return walk.
Thunderbird Falls
Thunderbird Falls
Close to freezing temperatures in late September, I was glad to reach Brown Pass where the cold rain turned to sleet
The trail above Brown Pass
Approaching Hole in the Wall on the trail
Approaching Hole-in-the-Wall
Hole in the Wall Campground
Hole-in-the-Wall Campground
Bear tracks on the trail
Walked slower than normal following these tracks up the pass in the morning fog, making sure they stayed in the lead
Boulder Pass in Glacier National Park
Boulder Pass
Boulder Pass Campground
Boulder Pass Campground
A deer took my shirt
Took my shirt and wouldn't give it back
Small pools during the Boulder Peak summit
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 hike above Pocket Lake
Boulder Peak Summit looking west towards Kinnerly
Boulder Pass trail hike in Glacier National Park
Gardner Point
Thunderbird mountain on the Boulder Pass trail
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
Sunset on the Boulder Pass hike in Glacier National Park
Boulder Pass Overlook

Dawson Pitamakan Pass Loop

Dawson Pitamakan Pass loop hike in Glacier
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 hike in Glacier National park
Iceberg Lake
Hiker in Glacier national park in the Many Glacier region
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). 
Ben and Joel pointing near the Ptarmigan Tunnel hike
Ptarmigan Tunnel
Coming down the switchbacks in Glacier National Park
Ptarmigan Tunnel in Glacier Montana
Ptarmigan Tunnel hike in Glacier National Park

Wildlife

Bear viewing in Glacier National Park
Bear viewing in Glacier National Park
Moose on the Iceberg Lake trail

Resources
Enjoy your parks, Glacier Waterton International Peace Park, Bear Attacks, NPS Map, Backcountry reservations, Sperry Chalet
Recent Trips (2020)
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Photos, text and design by Dan Arnold
Contact: darnoldhiking@gmail.com

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