Spring Hikes in Glacier

When hiking in Montana in the spring, you never really know what to expect.  You might have great trail for three miles, then mud, then ice, then six inches of snow and then back to great trail.  The weather could be equally erratic: rainy, sunny and snowy all in the same day.  But despite the obstacles, the long winter and the recent sunny days are an irresistible lure for hikers to return to the mountains.  What follows are three hikes (one may require snow shoes) that can be done in either early spring or late spring.

Apgar Lookout:

This is one of the best accessible hike-with-a-view in early spring and it is a stunner.  After going through the main West Glacier entrance, you drive about half a mile and turn left on the road marked for Apgar Lookout.  The road ends in a parking lot at the trail head.  The hike starts out in trees and then goes through a burnt area with a couple pretty long switchbacks, it then winds around the front of the mountain to the lookout and a spectacular view of Lake McDonald and the mountains that climb up behind it to Logan Pass.  While the lookout is obviously not open in the spring, it makes for a great spot to eat lunch from and take in the amazing views.  My wife and I went up in late February and snow shoes were necessary for about half the hike.  That being said, the trail receives a lot of sun so by late March it should be hike-able the entire distance.  Round trip the hike is 7.1 miles.

Bowman Lake:

Yes, you can just drive here in the summer, but before the dirt road leading to Bowman Lake (from Polebridge) is open, Bowman Lake is a worthwhile hike.  The hike up has a mild elevation gain and is in the trees for about two thirds of the time.  It opens up at the campground and the view of Bowman is surprisingly stunning.  It is a long lake, stretching back with pristine mountains behind and around it.  My wife and I hiked there in early March and it was still frozen over.  I think that is the largest frozen body of water I have ever seen.   Snow shoes were not necessary, although Yak Tracks would have been advisable. 

Trout Lake:

This hike is definitely a later spring hike but is worth your time before Going-to-the-Sun is open.  Simply drive to the end of Lake McDonald and take the first road to your left at the end of the lake.  Go over the bridge along the dirt road which will eventually end at the trailhead.  The hike has some substantial elevation gain, but the reward is seeing down a large glacial valley that few have the opportunity to see.  The lake itself is crystal clear.  The first time I went with my wife, we saw lunes cruise under-water after small trout and it was fascinating to watch.  Sometimes avalanches hit the trail pretty hard during the winter, so you might have to find the trail again after an avalanche chute.  The round trip mileage is less than 8 miles but the elevation gain makes it a demanding hike.  Alternatively, you can hike to the top of the first ridge and have a great view of Lake McDonald and then return to your vehicle.

Final thoughts:

Avalanche Lake is another late spring hike, but I already mentioned it in another blog.  Also, keep in mind the uncertainty of trail conditions and changing weather.  Bring yak tracks and warm and water-proof clothes.

Top 10 Worst Huckleberry Products

If you’ve ever been anywhere close to Glacier National Park during the summer, you know that Glacier Country is Huckleberry Country.  Even if you come in the winter you’ll notice a plethora of signs offering everything from huckleberry jam to huckleberry wine.  While there are many great huckleberry products, for this blog we thought we’d list the 10 weirdest huckleberry products.  Some exist and some are only ideas.  Either way, if you’ve been looking for a huckleberry product that could really stick out from the crowded field, here are some ideas you might want to try!

1.       Huckleberry toilet paper- Freshen up the outhouse with scented toilet tissue!

2.       Huckleberry scented bear spray- Spray something that smells natural to the bear, just be sure the unnatural stuff is powerful enough to stop him.

3.       Huckleberry cologne/perfume- The opposite sex will be after you like bears in a huckleberry patch!

4.       Huckleberry deodorant- Ahh yes!  Nothing overcomes BO like huckleberries!

5.       Huckleberry toothpaste, mouth wash or floss- Your next dental cleaning appointment will be a pleasure for your dentist!

6.       Huckleberry fog machine- Watch your favorite sports team or performer come out in a mysterious cloud of purple huckleberry scented fog!

7.       Huckleberry pizza- They already make pineapple, why not huckleberry?!?

8.       Huckleberry burritos- Salty, spice and sweet (huckleberry) all at once?  I think Yes!

9.       Huckleberry flavored tobacco products- Already exist, but wouldn’t you rather have this kind of second hand smoke than the alternative?

10.   Huckleberry scented diapers- Your least favorite task just got a little sweeter and your child is well on his/her way to becoming a huckleberry kid!

Classic Glacier Hikes

As I write this, the temperature is below freezing and the cloud cover overhead is thick.  It seems like summer will never come.  Hiking in Glacier may be the last thing on your mind, but it might be just what you need to get you through the stalemate between spring and winter that we are now in.  Picture yourself in a high mountain meadow, full of blooming wild flowers and bright green grass.  The sky is a perfect baby blue and the temperature is hovering at 75 degrees.    The spectacular glacial valleys stretch in every direction and snow fields end in glacial blue lakes over each rise.  This is Montana at its finest!

Glacier has 734 miles of trail so you have a lot of potential hikes to choose from.   While there are many lesser known hikes that are worth-while, for this edition of our blog we will focus on three classic glacier hikes.  The two mid-range hikes (5-mile round trip) of Hidden Lake and Avalanche lake along with the longer Garden Wall hike are well traveled but with good reason.  If you are planning on doing any of these quintessential Glacier hikes, here’s what you should know.

Highline trail is one of the best full-day hikes there is in Glacier.  It is a loop, so you leave your car at “the bend”, take a free shuttle to Logan Pass and then hike the loop back to your car.  The first leg from Logan Pass to Granite Peak Chalet  takes you along a steep, spectacularly green hillside with a rock face on the up-hill side.  The views down the glacier valleys during the entire hike are amazing and you will often see mountain goats.  You can also add a quick side trip and see Grinnell Glacier from the top.  Things to be aware of: As with all hikes in Glacier, the earlier you can get there the better.  Shuttles coming up Going-to-the-Sun Road often are full from the stops below by the time they get to the bend, so if you get there at mid-morning you will likely have to wait for a shuttle to Logan Pass.  Start with enough water for the whole trip.  Even though there is a chalet about 7 miles from the trailhead, everything is packed in by horse, so water is expensive and there are few streams along the way.  Grizzly Bears are frequently encountered on this trail despite its popularity so be sure to carry bear spray.

Hidden Lake is a great hike and has spectacular views for the entire hike.  It is an easier hike with minimal elevation gain.  Much of the trail is on a board walk with wild flowers and green fields on both sides.  It is the type of trail where you can turn back at any point and still enjoy 360 scenic views.  If your are not sure how far you can hike, this is a good option.  The lake itself is a deep glacial blue and worth the five mile round trip.  You will often see mountain goats and bighorn sheep near the trail or even near the visitor’s center where it begins.   Things to be aware of:  If you come between 10AM and 5PM, the parking lot at Logan Pass can fill up quickly and the trail to hidden lake can become very crowded (note that just because the parking lot says “full” does not mean it is actually full).

Avalanche Lake is the most popular hike that is not connected to Logan Pass.  It is about 5 miles round trip with a mild up-hill grade.  The first part of the hike winds through a very wet almost rain-forest like climate.  The lake itself has a great view and you can see the various avalanche chutes that give the lake its name.  The trail goes around it and there are several perfect spots for a picnic.   The trailhead for Avalanche Lake is accessible long before most trailheads in Glacier are, which makes it ideal for a spring, early summer or late fall hike.  Things to be aware of:  Bears frequent this trail, especially Black Bears so be aware.  In June, before Logan Pass opens, this hike is extremely popular, so if you can avoid hiking in the middle of the day, it will feel more like a hike and less like a walk in Central Park. 

As you begin to plan your trip Jake Bramante’s website www.hike734.com has some excellent resources for potential hikes.  Jake spent a summer hiking and documenting all 734 miles of trail in Glacier and created several resources using his knowledge.  We are not paid to endorse his products, but I mention them because they are comprehensive and well worth your time and money.