Do you only have one day in Glacier? See pictures and our review of Highline Trail. I like guest blogging. Perhaps the most famous trail in Glacier NP is the Highline Trail and rightly so. We started the trip at 8 am and got back to the parking lot a little after noon for a total of 5 miles. more. Hike and learn in the heart of Glacier’s alpine on this moderate hike. Be sure to check Glacier National Park’s Postings and Closures and Trail Status Reports before you go. It could even be one of the best hikes in all of the national parks, depending on what you’re looking for. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! West Glacier, MT – Glacier National Park has temporarily closed access to the Granite Park area due to unusual grizzly bear activity. Gould. The valley below is a classic “U-shape,” formed by glaciers starting two million years ago during the Pleistocene Ice Age. If you’d like to go on the Highline Trail in Glacier with an interpretive guide, we’d love to take you! If you are unfamiliar with Glacier National Park overall, there is one very important thing you should know from the beginning: Logan Pass Visitor Center, at the summit of Going to the Sun Road, remains very busy for the majority of the day and often has no parking spaces available. The Highline Trail is certainly one of the best hikes – if not the best hike – in Glacier National Park. Sep 2, 2017 Saran Vellanki. To get a ride back to Logans Pass parking lot. There are additional bathrooms at the Granite Park Chalet if you choose to continue beyond Haystack Pass. Shuttles do run from both West Glacier and St. Mary, but they’re overcrowded and securing a spot is more or less impossible in the summer months. Stromatolites formed in the bottom of an ancient shallow, warm body of water known as the Belt Sea. The Highline Trail is a scenic hiking trail in Glacier National Park, Montana, United States.The trail stretches 7.6 miles (12.2 km) from Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet, and continues another 11.9 miles (19.2 km) from there to Fifty Mountain Campground.The trail follows the Garden Wall ridge and the continental divide for most of its length. With its panoramic views, Haystack Pass is an ideal spot for a lunch break. Even a mile or two in, the views are spectacular. We finally made it to Glacier National Park in August 2020 and at the top of our list was to hike the Highline Trail. Before my trip to Glacier, I asked some fellow bloggers for recommendations on what not to miss. The Highline Trail begins on the opposite side of the Going to the Sun Road from the Logan Pass Visitor Center Parking Lot. Parking is very challenging but we. At 3.6 miles, after climbing 275 feet up one sweeping switchback, hikers will reach Haystack Pass (7,024 ft.). It is about three miles round trip and can be a bit strenuous due to some elevation. thanks richard It is most popular for its views along the Garden Wall. Location: The trail starts from the parking lot at Logan Pass on the Going-to-the-sun Road and ends at Granite Park Chalet. Highly recommend this route as. 5.0 If you spend the night camping overnight at the Chalet, you could continue the journey further and hike all the way to Swiftcurrent Pass in the Many Glacier area. Trailhead: Highline Trail via Logan Pass (6,647 ft.). Wind storms can bring trees down in the summer and fall after the trail crew has cleared the trail of downed trees. In early summer beargrass lines the meadow sections of trail. At every step, and every turn, hikers will enjoy spectacular scenery as the Highline follows along the Continental Divide, also known as the Garden Wall throughout this section of Glacier National Park. The hardest part of this hike is getting a parking spot at Logan Pass. The Highline Trail is one of Glacier National Park’s best day hikes. Glacier Guides Difficulty Rating: Moderate. Don’t hike this one without a map! Preferred route: Start the Highline Trail at Logan Pass. You will likely pass and be passed by other hikers many times on this hike. Here’s a look at the hand cable (see the garden hose?) Click here to see the one I personally love and use all the time while visiting Glacier. After the cliff section of the trail, you will walk through a small scree field. Be aware of bears as there are warning signs everywhere. Perhaps the most famous trail in Glacier NP is the Highline Trail and rightly so. Make the most of your visit to Glacier National Park during this full-day river rapids excursion for an experience you likely couldn’t recreate alone. Be prepared and have fun out there! There are not many opportunities to filter water on the Highline Trail, especially in late season. In July and August, we hike there every Tuesday. Hike 6.8 miles on a pleasantly gradual trail to get to the overlook trail. Views are iconic. The rewards definitely outweigh the difficulty. Highline going back out is not only longer but harder and the loop is mostly downhill. There is a potable water fountain between the bathrooms at the Logan Pass Visitor Center. The Highline, Loop, and Swiftcurrent Trail (from Swiftcurrent Pass to Granite Park Chalet) are all closed as of Sunday evening, meaning that access to the Granite Park area is not possible. Headed down the Highline Trail on your own? Carry at least two liters of water per person! Left our hotel at 5:20 am and arrived at Logan Pass at 6 am. The trail continues to weave in and out of subalpine fir forests. : Johns Lake Loop This 2-mile loop visits a small lake in a mossy fores and then follows McDonald Creek past McDonald Falls to return to the trailhead. That way you … Our hotel was in Whitefish which was 1 hour and 40 minutes away just from Logan Pass. We hiked the Highline on Tuesday, 9/1. Oberlin (8,180 ft.), and Heavens Peak (8,987 ft.). The Highline Trail begins at Logan Pass along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Much of this trail is along a ridge line allowing wide and distant views. The Highline Trail in Glacier National Park begins at Logan Pass on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and follows the west side of the Continental Divide northward for over 30 miles, and eventually ends in Canada! These small members of the hare family do not hibernate. Parking: Logan Pass parking lot. For almost 12 miles, this trail takes hikers high above Going-to-the-Sun Road, with stunning views of the park and a chance to see glaciers, alpine wildflowers, and wildlife. Alternate route: You can instead start at The Loop (shuttle stop), hike up to the Granite Park Chalet, and then hike an additional 0.8 miles to the beginning of the overlook trail for a total of 6.8 miles. Because of its elevation, the Highline Trail will likely still be snow-covered into July. Date and Radio Number Each trail information bullet is followed by a date and a number. Water: There is a potable water fountain between the bathrooms at the Logan Pass Visitor Center. The Highline Trail is an extremely popular hike, so do not expect solitude, and be sure to pack your patience. And it isn't difficult at all. Hiking the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park, from Logan Pass to Haystack Pass, is an alpine lover's dream. These early forms of cyanobacteria are partially responsible, through photosynthesis, for the oxygen rich atmosphere we breathe today. This is excellent pika habitat—listen for their chirps! Instead, we hiked 2.5 miles, ate lunch and turned back. If you would like a more strenuous hike, continue down the Highline Trail to Granite Park Chalet (15.2 miles out and back), or all the way down to The Loop trailhead (11.8 miles total). Bathrooms:  Logan Pass Visitor Center. Southern expatriate. There are not many opportunities to filter water on the Highline Trail, especially in late season. We saw a few mountain goats right off the trail, With Grinnell Glacier access restricted (Covid), we accessed via the Highline trail (Logan Pass visitor center), climbed to the Grinnell Overlook (via Garden Wall trail), and returned via the Loop trail (to the Loop parking lot for pickup). This is a wall that continues for 0.25 of a mile and is only 6-8ft wide. Cannon (8,952 ft.), Mt. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Travel Time/Distance: 1 hour and 15 minutes/32 miles from Glacier National Park’s west entrance. Otherwise, you'll find me hiking, backpacking, rafting, skiing, or cleaning up the trail of glitter my kids leave in the wake of their own daily adventures. I've heard of both 80 year-olds and 8 year-olds completing this hike. The photos below will take you on a tour of this hiking trail … And with 11ish miles full of epic mountain vistas, it’s not hard to see why. There are hand cables to guide you through this part of the trail. This is a very popular trail in Glacier NP. There were plenty of people on this trail. Learn about lodging, rafting, hiking, fishing, and biking adventures, too. The Highline Trail is a must do for anyone in Glacier National Park. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are OK with that. Great article , really looking forward to the trip this summer. Otherwise, return to Logan Pass from the direction that you arrived, enjoying an alternative perspective of the high alpine vistas. You get even better views from the beginning of this trail than you can on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. We carried Bear Spray and luckily did not need it. Highline Trail is ranked #10 out of 10 things to do in Glacier National Park. The Highline Trail is one of the premiere hiking trails in Glacier National Park. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Logan Pass Visitor Center. I absolutely loved this hike the most! installed in the beginning section of the Highline Trail. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. At 7 am, there were spots but by 7:30 am, the entire parking lot was full. Logan Pass to Many Glacier hiking the Highline Trail and the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail. Take the shuttle or plan to grab a parking space early — the parking lot often fills by 8am in the summer. Mileage: 7.2 miles (11.5 km) round trip from Logan Pass to Haystack Pass. Video: Hikers run from a grizzly bear in Glacier National Park By: Jasmine Dayton, Colter Anstaett Posted at 6:31 AM, Sep 01, 2020 Also, at the Logan Pass parking lot, it was extremely cold and windy but once you are on the Highline, it is much less windy. Located in northern Montana less than 100 miles from the Canadian border, Glacier National Park attracts more than 3 million visitors every year. The entire Highline Loop is 11.8 miles roundtrip and the elevation gain is about 800 feet {not including the optional Glacier Overlook spur trail}. We hiked the Highline on Tuesday, 9/1. There are additional bathrooms at the Granite Park Chalet if you choose to continue beyond Haystack Pass. The view was soooo beautiful! About the Highline Trail. Traveling from the east entrance at St. Mary, 40 minutes/18 miles. Roughly three miles from Logan Pass, take a break at the large boulders just before the final climb to Haystack Pass. Specials – Glacier National Park Adventures, 7.2 miles (11.5 km) round trip from Logan Pass to Haystack Pass. No matter the age, there is an option for everyone. Carry at least two liters of water per person! Normally people start at Logan Pass and finish at the Loop and take the shuttle back to their car at Logan Pass. Although grizzly bears do not eat this member of the Lily family, they have been known to use the leaves to pad their dens during winter hibernation. Logan Pass parking lot. Keep in mind that this section of trail doesn’t typically open until around July 1 every year, due to lingering snow. There were a long line of cars in front of us and behind us on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. From logan pass to the loop is 11.6 miles total (7.6 miles to granite, Along Garden Wall, Glacier National Park, MT. If you are still feeling energetic and have ample water, consider continuing to the Granite Park Chalet. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window). In July and August, we hike there every Tuesday. Initially we wanted to do the Grinnell Glacier but in the end chickened out because we wouldn't be able to do the 14.7 mile return trip. The Highline Trail is one of Glacier National Park’s best hikes. The Highline Trail is one of Glacier Parks’ most beautiful trails. Soak up the scenery as you float down the Flathead River in the company of your guide, before taking on Class 2 and 3 rapids after lunch. Get to Logan Pass Parking Lot EARLY if you want to do the Highline Trail. View of Going-to-the-Sun Road from Highline Trail Basic Info About Highline Trail IN Glacier. What You Must Know About Highline Trail in Glacier National Park. The common consensus was that I had to hike the Highline Trail, the best day hike in Glacier NP. p.s. After you park, you’ll need to cross the road on foot to start the hike. Because there were no shuttles, this trail becomes a return hike. The climb to the glacier was tough but definitely worth it. Aug 31, 2017 Mike G. Highline to Highpoint! 6/14/2014 per 601. The Highline is one of Glacier’s legendary hikes along the Continental Divide. Be aware that the parking area is usually full by 8:30am. The Highline Trail begins at Logan Pass on the Going to the Sun Road and then runs north, following the Continental Divide in the process, to Fifty Mountain Campground, a distance of about 20 miles. Thanks to the efficient free buses along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, you can take a bus back to your car from the trail – though make sure you know when the last bus is! Garden Wall Trail to Glacier Overlook This extension off Highline Trail climbs a thousand feet in a mile to extraordinary views over Grinnell Glacier and a trio of subalpine lakes. This trail traverses the western side of the Continental Divide, the glacially carved ridge that divides our continent’ss watersheds. Shoot me an e-mail for details. Moderate, 7.2 miles. Keep an eye out for alpine animals, such as big horned sheep and mountain goats, which feed on the leafy green meadows above. Because of COVID, they were not running any shuttles. Instead, they work all summer to gather a reserve of 30 plus pounds of grass to survive the 9-month winter. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. There is plenty of high alpine exposure on this hike, so be sure to bring sun, wind, and rain protection. If you would like a more strenuous hike, continue down the Highline Trail to. The Highline Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the park even though it’s 11 miles round trip and will put your physical fitness to the test. Less than one-quarter of a mile from the trailhead hikers will reach a cliffy stretch that the National Park Service has installed a hand cable along. Take a scenic, photo tour and learn why The Highline hiking trail is so popular. There are two ways to get to this trail. The views on Highline after rain yesterday were amazing and perfectly clear. We saw a group of mountain goats, multiple bighorn sheep (on the trail), and a few marmot. 1 hour and 15 minutes/32 miles from Glacier National Park’s west entrance. Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in the entire United States and within the park lies the heavenly Highline Trail. Siyeh Pass In The Fall | Glacier National Park | Glacier Guides, Every Friday Hike In 2020 – Gunsight Lake, Hiking to Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park, Plan My Trip To Glacier National Park: The November 2020 Edition, What To Expect In Glacier Park: Fall 2020, Glacier Guides and Montana Raft Reservation and Cancellation Policies. The views are pretty spectacular the entire 2.5 miles going there. So plan to get there EARLY if you want to secure a parking space. The hike is outlined in green below: Getting Here. As Communications and Marketing Director for Glacier Guides and Montana Raft, I strive daily to meet our mission of providing exceptional active travel vacations and experiences in and around Glacier National Park, while preserving and protecting Glacier's unique ecosystem using the best available, ecologically sound practices. There is a section where a narrow trail cuts into the side of the mountain (a garden-hose-like rope is tethered to the rockwall for those afraid of he, Did this hike early in the morning on a 100 degree day in early August. Plus, round-trip transportation is provided for convenience. Just be patient and wait for someone to leave. We use cookies in order to give you the best experience on our website. Without a shuttle running now at Glacier, what is the liklehood of getting a return ride from a tourist when hiking one way on the Highline Trail. It was not a hard trail. It is one of the most memorable hikes I've ever done. This segment lasts for only three-tenths of a mile, however it is four to six feet wide in most areas. The Highline Trail is an extremely popular hike; and for good reason. Many people use the Highline Trail in conjunction with the Loop Trail to create a circuitous day hike starting and stopping with the Going to the Sun Road. Check out Highline Trail! Montana devotee since 1989. Traveling from the east entrance at St. Mary, 40 minutes/18 miles. Business Type: National Park Trail; Location: In or near Glacier National Park, Montana These boulders contain excellent stromatolite formations, which are ancient cyanobacteria fossilized in 1.5 billion year old limestone and dolomite rock. Sign Up For Our Glacier Park Newsletter! The Highline Trail is not only Glacier National Park‘s most popular hike, but one of the country’s most famous trails. Logan Pass is the epicenter of Glacier National Park, sitting at the highest point of the Going To The Sun Road at 6,647 ft. The Highline was a bit icy but the weather was clear, cool a... 7.5mi Sep 2, 2017 Aldrin Abastillas. Highline Trail Visitor hiking along the famous Highline Trail Cliff in Glacier National Park. Hiking Time (estimate): Allow 2 ½ -3 hours to reach Haystack Pass, 1 hour for lunch, and 2- 2 ½ hours to return. Exiting via the Loop trail was great as it was mostly downhill. Located off Going-To-The-Sun Road, this hike begins at Logan Pass and merges eventually with Canada’s Waterton Valley Trail. Would definitely do this again and highly recommend if wanting to see the glacier. Allow 2 ½ -3 hours to reach Haystack Pass, 1 hour for lunch, and 2- 2 ½ hours to return. It is one of the most memorable hikes I've ever done. It was a little intimating on how it was set up, but all worth it! The pass forms the saddle between Haystack Butte and the southeastern flank of Mt. were fortunate to find something pretty easy in a very full lot around 11 am. If expansive vistas and alpine meadows excite you, look no further than the Highline Trail! Just want to receive our blog posts, and not additional emails? Highline Trail has a little something for everyone, from the wonderful weeping Garden Wall to a campground and chalet for heartier hikers. Take the shuttle or plan to grab a parking space early — the parking lot often fills by 8am in the summer. This indicates the date of the trail status update and the radio number of the individual responsible for the trail report. 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The hike to Haystack Pass begins from the Highline Trailhead, located across the Going-To-The-Sun Road from the Logan Pass parking lot. Don’t miss the Highline Trail. Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Is this attraction a good place to visit on a, We were excited, and hesitant, to try this hike. This trail is characterized by gentle ups and down, until the final steep switchback up to Haystack Pass. If you or someone you are with has a fear of heights, this may not be the hike for you. It’s just off the Logan Pass visitor center parking lot. It’s moderately difficult with lots of rocky areas. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Arrived at Logan Pass around 6:30am and there were only a few cars. These glaciers were more than a mile thick, rising to the peaks of the westward mountains across the valley including Mt. We were on the trail by 6:45 and we were only passed by 3 co, Highline trail along the continental divide is arguably one of the best day hikes in North America (including the Kalalau trail) You get even better views from the beginning of this trail than you can on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Recommend continuing climb to the saddle (see recording) to see all four lakes at the bottom rather than just looking into the glacier. It is just behind the visitors center. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Highline Trail via Logan Pass (6,647 ft.). Watch the beauty of the park change season by season with our monthly newsletters. The big switchback on the road is called the Loop and is much lower in elevation than Logan Pass, so you can decide if you want the grunt of uphill or the “knee workout” of the downhill. With Grinnell Glacier access restricted (Covid), we accessed via the Highline trail (Logan Pass visitor center), climbed to the Grinnell Overlook (via Garden Wall trail), and returned via the Loop trail (to the Loop parking lot for pickup).