Park Saddle Tour at Dawson Pass

Sitting along the Continental Divide at an elevation of 7598 feet, Dawson Pass forms the saddle between 8538-foot Mt. Helen towards the south, and 9225-foot Flinsch Peak to the north. The pass is named for Thomas Dawson, the son of Andrew Dawson, who was an official for the American Fur Company at Fort Benton. His mother was a Blackfoot Indian. Dawson's Blackfoot name was Little Chief, or Inuxina. The pass, therefore, is called Inuxina ozitamisohpi in the Blackfeet language. Dawson also acted as a guide during the early days of Glacier National Park.

If you've ever had the chance to dine at Serrano's Mexican Restaurant in East Glacier Park, you actually stepped foot in Tom Dawson's home. Built in 1909, the converted building is now the oldest house in East Glacier Park.

From its inception as a national park, Dawson Pass has been a popular destination in the Two Medicine area. This photo was taken from the pass in the 1930s, and is likely a group from a Park Saddle Horse tour:

The photo below is also likely that of a Park Saddle Horse tour near Dawson Pass from the 1920s or 30s:

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From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies: