Our next hike was a delightful surprise in many ways. Logan Pass is one of the most popular trails in Glacier National Park. While the steep steps leading to the overlook might make you reconsider your feelings about the stair climber, this hike offers ample opportunities to spot and photograph wildlife. Despite being the busiest trail we tackled, the chance to see everything from marmots to mountain goats made this short hike truly rewarding.
The trail begins at the same parking area as the Highline Trail, so I recommend arriving early to secure a spot. Keep in mind that parking passes are required from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. during peak season. If you arrive late and haven’t managed to snag a pass, you’ll need to either wait at the bottom west side or head to the east side where no pass is necessary. Planning ahead is essential for a smooth experience on this hike.
Starting right next to the visitor center, the trail features steps winding through vibrant fields of wildflowers. You'll spend just under a mile enjoying the flora and spotting wildlife before reaching the lookout over Hidden Lake. From here, you have two options: head back to your car or continue down to Hidden Lake, which adds another mile and a half to your trek. We opted to descend to the lake, savoring our coffee and snacks by the water. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a dip, but be warned—the water is quite cold, hovering around 40 degrees, so proceed at your own risk!
Please remember to pack out whatever you bring in, as there are no trash cans down by the lake, and it’s home to fish as well.
The return journey can be a bit challenging due to some switchbacks leading out of Hidden Lake, but once you clear those, it’s a gradual incline back to the lookout, followed by a descent down the steps to the parking lot.
Lastly, please do not feed the animals. While they’re stunning to see up close, like the mountain goats, they are wild creatures. They may tolerate your presence, but they can be dangerous if provoked, so always respect their space.
Nearly four years ago, a friend and I hiked part of the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park. This trail is renowned for its stunning scenery. The full hike spans about twelve to fourteen miles, but most hikers opt for an out-and-back route instead of completing the entire trail. We discovered that this preference largely stems from the final four miles, which feature a steep decline that can be tough on the knees and offers little in the way of views.
If you're planning to hike the full trail, here are some tips to keep in mind. First, be prepared for the length of the hike. We woke up at 3:30 a.m. to drive from our campsite to the parking lot. Arriving early is crucial, as this lot is one of the smallest for such a popular hike. We noticed people had even slept in their cars overnight to secure a spot. Thankfully, we arrived early enough to find parking without any issues. We started our hike at sunrise, and the overcast sky worked to our advantage, providing some relief from the sun. The trail has no shade, and although there isn’t much elevation gain, the sun can really wear you out, so pack plenty of water and snacks.
Around mile 7 there’s a junction with the Garden Wall Trail. I highly recommend taking this detour to Grinnell Glacier, where you’ll gain 900 to 1,500 feet in elevation over less than a mile. The views from up there were my absolute favorite in Glacier. Don’t forget to bring a lightweight jacket, as it can get quite windy and chilly.
After descending from Garden Wall, you’ll return to the main trail and reach the chalet in about a mile. The chalet offers lodging, snacks, restrooms, and drinks, making it a popular stop for many hikers. Some people spend the night there before heading back the next day, while others pause to rest before continuing. We stopped briefly but needed to keep moving, as we were concerned about our dog, Lylah, waiting in the car.
The descent was challenging. I found myself practically sprinting the last four miles, which was far from straightforward. The trail features steep steps and undulating terrain, with little tree cover along the way. Once you finally reach the bottom, you'll need to wait for the shuttle back to the parking lot. A word of caution about the shuttle system: it can be chaotic and overcrowded. If you're in a large group, I recommend sending someone ahead to secure a ride back. We saw groups waiting for over half an hour, and when the second shuttle arrived, I managed to grab one of the last two spots. Lylah was fine in the car, and after picking up our friend J, we headed back to the campsite.
Overall, we had a fantastic trip, and the hike was definitely worth it. If we do it again, we might leave Lylah with other campers overnight or stay at the chalet ourselves. It's definitely on our list for a return visit—maybe next time!
About a month ago, we returned from Glacier National Park. For those who haven’t ventured that far northwest, it’s located in the upper part of Montana, right on the Canadian border. The park is considered a peace park since it extends across the border into Canada, which is a fascinating concept. It really makes me reflect on the possibilities of being neighbors with Canada. I’m inspired to cross over and explore more incredible places that I can check off my map.
For now, I’m grateful for the hikes we completed during our trip. Our time in Glacier was amazing, with perfect weather throughout. The hikes we accomplished could have been challenging if we hadn’t chosen the right time to visit and if we hadn’t had many overcast days. Here are the hikes we tackled:
- Avalanche Lake
- Highline Trail
- Logan Pass
- Siyeh Pass
We initially planned to do the first three, but we added Siyeh Pass after hearing rave reviews from rangers and fellow hikers. Over the course of the week, we hiked more than 30 miles! We were treated to breathtaking views, spotted numerous marmots, and enjoyed an abundance of beautiful wildflowers. I have so much to share about this experience, and I can’t wait to tell you more. It truly became one of my favorite parks, and I want to share everything we discovered.
Next up: Avalanche Lake!
We are hitting the slopes in Wolf Creek here in a few days. I'm excited to get back out in the powder and work on my skills as a snowboarder.
Last year when we were at Wolf Creek I was able to stay up on a board for the whole run and even do the blues over there. it was wonderful and for the first time, I didn't feel too scared to try boarding. I felt pretty strong and found out that I am better on a twin board than I am on a regular board. For me, that was an interesting thing to learn and changed the whole game for me. Being able to switch from one side to another whenever I needed to was a way for me to keep upright. It's apparently not as common for people to be able to use a twin board which I found interesting and a little exciting in its own way.
My least favorite part is the journey out there. Unlike last year I'm not in the area and I will be coming back home instead of traveling to a new location/area after we are done. I'm excited to get back on the board and give it a go and of course, to have an espresso at the top of the mountain with Dad.
So here we come Wolf Creek. We will be shredding the slopes here soon.
