Jake Bramante

Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from Jake Bramante's "Day Hikes of Glacier National Park Map Guide."

1. Highline Trail, 11.4 miles

Logan Pass is the crown jewel of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is where the Highline Trail begins. You will traverse a little shelf on the cliff that has been carved for the road, with a cable to grab hold of if needed. From there, you will head across the alpine meadows with short stints into trees. You will also go past streams, creeks, avalanche chutes, wildflowers, animals and more — the best that Glacier has to offer. The views across the Logan and McDonald Creek valleys below and the stunning summits of the Livingston Range are truly breathtaking.

Check out 2017's Glacier Gateway's hike story:

15 favorite hikes in Glacier

The steepest section of the hike is going up and over the saddle that separates Haystack Butte from Mount Gould. This area makes for a great lunch spot and is a nice turnaround for those looking for a shorter trek. Continue on the trail until you come to a junction for the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. For those with energy to spare, this side trail and the view it takes you to are worth the effort. At the overlook, you straddle the Continental Divide and look down to Upper Grinnell Lake and Grinnell Glacier, as well as out into the Many Glacier area of the park. Once back at the junction, you are 0.7 miles from the historic Granite Park Chalet, which is another great place to catch your breath and refill your water bottle. Keep your eyes on alert in this area, as the pass and the meadows attract deer and bears. From Granite Park Chalet, it is four miles of downhill hiking through the burned forest to the Loop. The park's free shuttle is a popular way to experience this hike. If you prefer hiking more uphill than down, you may want start at the Loop in the cool of the morning and work your way up to Logan Pass.

Entire Going-to-the-Sun Road now open

Trailhead: Located across Going-to-the-Sun Road from the Logan Pass Visitor Center parking lot, or at the Loop, depending on the direction you are starting from.

Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet

Elevation Loss: 3,700 feet

2. Grinnell Glacier, 10.3 miles

Grinnell Glacier is the most frequently visited glacier in Glacier National Park with an incredible trail along the way. The first two level miles are spent briefly along Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine's north shores. Once at the end of the lakes, the elevation begins. From here on out, the views keep getting better as you climb with increased chances of seeing the area's big game. As you gain a bird's-eye view of Grinnell Lake with the tall cliffs of Angel Wing towering above, you get to see the lake's incredible emerald color, which is caused by suspended "glacial flour" — rocks ground into a fine powder by glaciers.

Just below the glacier, there is a sitting area and a pit toilet. In 0.34 miles, you will arrive at Upper Grinnell Lake with Grinnell Glacier to your left while Salamander Glacier clings to the cliffs of the Garden Wall in front of you. The Continental Divide runs along the top of this wall and, on the other side, motorists drive up Going-to-the-Sun Road. (If you opt to take boat rides across both Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine, the hike is shortened to approximately seven miles.)

Trailhead: Follow the Many Glacier Road straight ahead until you see clearly marked signs for the Grinnell Glacier Trail.

Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,700 feet

3. Pitamakan/Dawson, 17.9 miles

The Pitamakan/Dawson hike is a long one, but the beautiful views that await you are worth all the effort. The hike bounces between forests and avalanche chutes as it goes over a ridge of Rising Wolf Mountain. You will pass a beautiful waterfall coming from Sky Lake as you drop into the Dry Fork drainage and begin working your way up to Oldman Lake. The grade is steady and the views keep getting better until you are a mile out from Oldman Lake. Here you will be faced with some treed areas and the trail will get a bit steeper as well. Take the trail down to Oldman Lake and stop for a break. Continuing back up the trail, you will encounter switchbacks and gain almost 1,000 feet on the way to Pitamakan Pass. From here, gorgeous alpine lakes in the Cut Bank drainage sit below you. For the next three "top of the world" miles, views into the Coal/Nyack area and peaks as far as the eye can see overwhelm your gaze as you traverse across the goat trail with a quick view back down onto Oldman Lake between the saddle of Mount Morgan and Flinsch Peak. The trail wraps around the latter and down to Dawson Pass. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep as you enter Bighorn Basin. Eventually the trail heads back into the trees, but be sure to look up just before the trail drops all the way to the valley floor. One of the ridge lines has morphed into a huge spire called Pumpelly Pillar. If the last tour boat hasn't departed, you can take the almost one-mile spur trail located at the trail junction to the boat dock, otherwise, continue on for a little over three miles along the shores of Two Medicine Lake as it brings you back to your car.

Trailhead: Starting at the campground at Two Medicine by Pray Lake, cross the bridge for the Oldman Lake Trail and take a right towards Pitamakan Pass. The route can be done in either direction, but the described counterclockwise direction is the preferred way.

Elevation Gain/Loss: 3,300 feet

4. Iceberg Lake, 9.6 miles

Icebergs float in an emerald lake surrounded by cliffs rising more than 2,000 feet above the water. This trail is popular for a very good reason. Although the first 0.2 miles have a steep angle, it quickly mellows out to a nice, gradual grade as you break out into incredible views. The meadows on the slopes above you are frequented by bighorn sheep and grizzlies. Mountain goats can often be seen in the cliffs. The trail enters the forest with scattered views as you pass obscured Ptarmigan Falls, eventually breaking out of the trees and taking you through avalanche chutes and meadows. Wilbur Creek bubbles below you, showing off with distant waterfalls. As you enter the basin, you will come across pools of water leading up to the lake itself. Early season has much of the lake frozen, with sparse icebergs throughout. As summer brings its warmth, the icebergs will break apart. Although there are some years where the summer sun leaves the lake with no icebergs at all, that is definitely a rarity.

Trailhead: Follow the Many Glacier Road to the parking lot for Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. Turn right immediately after the inn and follow the road around to the Iceberg Lake/Ptarmigan Tunnel trailhead.

Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,400 feet

5. Hidden Lake Overlook, 2.8 miles

The crown jewel of Going-to-the-Sun Road is Logan Pass, and this is where the Hidden Lake Trail starts. The entire hike features panoramic views across alpine meadows and rugged peaks. Snow lingers well into July, but the flowers stick around until September (they peak in August). The trail is briefly asphalt and turns into a boardwalk. The boardwalk steps upward to the moraine from the glacier that used to be at the base of Clements Mountain. From there it is a dirt trail going over Hidden Pass where mountain goat sightings are frequent. Hidden Lake comes into view soon after an overlook and an interpretive sign, as well as a view into the Sperry Glacier basin. Most visitors head back at this point, but the trail does continue an additional 1.2 miles down to the lake, although that leg of the trail is extremely steep.

Trailhead: Located directly behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center.

Elevation Gain: 500 feet

6. Ptarmigan Tunnel, 10.5 miles

The 250 foot man-made tunnel that goes through the knife-edge ridge of Ptarmigan Wall is a treat, with breathtaking views on both sides.

The Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail shares this trailhead as well as its first 2.7 miles with the Iceberg Lake Trail (both can be paired for a longer day). The first 0.2 miles of the hike feature a steep angle, but quickly mellow out to a gradual grade as you break out into incredible views.

The meadows on the slopes above you are frequented by bighorn sheep and grizzlies. Mountain goats can often be seen in the cliffs. The trail enters the forest with scattered views and the Iceberg Lake Trail splits off just after Ptarmigan Falls. The trail continues and gets steep once again. Huckleberries are plentiful here, and black bears are not uncommon, so be prepared. At a little over 1.6 miles from the junction, you will reach Ptarmigan Lake. You will see two switchbacks up on the slope to the tunnel. There is definitely more than a little work ahead of you, but once you reach the tunnel it will all be worth it. The views on the other side of the tunnel are breathtaking. The trail on the other side was hewn from the red rocks and offers staggering views onto Elizabeth Lake and the Belly River drainage. It's time to turn around, enjoy the views looking into Many Glacier, and drop back down.

Trailhead: Follow the Many Glacier Road straight to the parking lot for Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and turn right immediately after the Inn. From there, follow the road around to the Iceberg Lake/Ptarmigan Tunnel trailhead.

Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,400 feet

7. Siyeh Pass, 10 miles

This top-of-the-world hike features incredible alpine meadows and great glacier views. The trail is in the trees for the first several miles. At a little over 2.5 miles in, the Siyeh Pass Trail breaks off to the west and heads up Preston Park. This is one of the prettiest alpine meadows in the park, and is a perfect spot for lunch. Mount Siyeh, one of six peaks in Glacier that is over 10,000 feet high, dominates the view to the north. At the head of the valley, the trail has some switchbacks up the rocky slopes of Matahpi Peak to the pass. From there, you will have excellent views into three different drainages. The pass is a great place to stop for a quick rest before descending 3,400 feet over 5.4 miles of trail. Mountain goats and bighorn sheep are often seen on the Baring Creek side of the pass as you look at Sexton Glacier, which is the main source of the creek. The terrain moves from rocky to alpine to forest. The trail comes out at Sunrift Gorge, which is a wonderful treat waiting for you at the end of the trek. It is also a popular stop for the park's shuttle system, which can bring you right back to your vehicle at Siyeh Bend.

Trailhead: Park at the Siyeh Bend parking lot and take the trail for Piegan Pass, which is clearly marked.

Elevation Gain: 2,300 feet; Elevation Loss: 3,500 feet

8. Bullhead Lake, 7.2 miles

The hike up the Swiftcurrent Creek drainage to Bullhead Lake is the perfect trail if you want to take a longer hike that remains mostly level, offers picturesque views, and provides great chances to see wildlife. The trail begins by weaving by Fishercap Lake and Redrock Falls (see their description below), and then continues on to Bullhead Lake where you will spend more time in the open. At approximately 3.5 miles in, you will arrive at a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the largest body of Bullhead Lake, which makes for a great spot to rest and have lunch.

Trailhead: Follow the Many Glacier Road straight to the parking lot for Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. The trailhead is located at west end.

Elevation Gain/Loss: 200 feet

9. Fishercap Lake/Redrock Falls, 3.6 miles

The chain of lakes in the Swiftcurrent Creek drainage make for perfect family outings. The first portion of this hike is a level 0.25 miles to the cutoff for Fishercap Lake. A short trip down the unsigned spur trail to Fishercap Lake gives you an opportunity to see moose that frequent that area. Back up on the trail, you will continue to hike through groves of aspens and pines with views of Grinnell Point and other surrounding peaks. Keep your eyes up on the hillsides for animals as Many Glacier is teeming with them. After close to 1.5 miles, you will come to Redrock Lake and will have a brief glimpse of Redrock Falls. Follow the trail around to the head of the lake where a little trail spurs down to a beautiful cascading falls. This hike is level and great for novice and experienced hikers alike. (Also see the Bullhead Lake hike, No. 8, for a longer trip to the next lake in the chain.)

Trailhead: Follow the Many Glacier Road straight to the parking lot for Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. The trailhead is at the west end.

Elevation Gain/Loss: 100 feet

10. St. Mary/Virginia Falls, 3.1 miles

One of the more popular day hikes in the St. Mary valley is the hike to St. Mary and Virginia Falls. Both falls are unique and beautiful. After walking in the trees 0.8 miles from the St. Mary Falls trailhead, you will come to St. Mary Falls with a bridge over the St. Mary River. All of the falls and cascading pools makes for a fantastic waterfall that is complex, beautiful and mesmerizing. Follow the trail 0.7 miles up Virginia Creek to see even more small waterfalls leading up to Virginia Falls, which is a tall waterfall that comes down with tremendous energy. There is a viewing platform up a small spur trail that is worth the short walk, as well as an outhouse on the other side of Virginia Creek across the bridge.

Trailhead: An obvious trailhead off of Going-to-the-Sun Road is clearly marked as St. Mary Falls.

Elevation Gain/Loss: 500 feet

11. Avalanche Lake, 4.6 miles

Avalanche Lake is one of the most popular hikes in the park, and for good reason. How can you go wrong with a lively stream in a beautiful gorge on the way through an inland Pacific rain forest to a high mountain lake with sheer cliffs and waterfalls? The hike starts with the Trail of the Cedars until it reaches Avalanche Creek. You will then take the Avalanche Lake trail that follows the creek up the frothing gorge and meanders its way through a forest of cedar and hemlock trees. After approximately 2 miles, you will arrive at the lake, which is fed by the waterfalls at the far end of the lake. To extend your hike, you can continue to follow the trail for 0.7 miles to the other end of the lake.

Trailhead: In the Avalanche Campground area, hike the Trail of the Cedars until the Avalanche Lake Trail takes off approximately halfway through.

Elevation Gain/Loss: 600 feet