Top "off the beaten trail" Hikes in Glacier National Park

As you've likely noticed in recent years, national parks are getting crowded. And Glacier National Park is no exception. As a result, most of the more well-known hikes in the park are also getting quite crowded. Not to mention finding a parking spot can be a hassle as well. Fortunately, if you dig a little deeper, there are still many hikes you can take to get away from the masses, and still enjoy outstanding scenery. With more than 740 miles of trails meandering through the park, there are many options for hikers who seek a little solitude. Though not an exaustive list, here are 10 great hikes to consider:

1) Gable Pass: After ascending Lee Ridge, hikers will enjoy expansive panoramic views that include Chief Mountain, Gable Mountain, as well as the highest point in Glacier National Park, 10,466-foot Mt. Cleveland. You'll also have the chance to see the odd gravel stripes along this stretch. In my opinion, these are arguably some of the best views in park.

2) Belly River Ranger Station: This hike visits the historic Belly River Ranger Station in the northeast sector of the park - just north of Many Glacier. The district contains several historic buildings, including the original ranger cabin constructed in 1912, making it one of the oldest continually manned ranger stations in Glacier National Park. The station also has the distinction of being the only ranger station in the park to be accessible by trail only. Did I mention the great views?

3) Triple Divide Pass: If you're looking for a little bit of solitude in Glacier National Park, Triple Divide Pass just may be the ticket. The trailhead is located in Cut Bank, roughly half-way between Two Medicine and St. Mary. The pass lies just below Triple Divide Peak, the only hydrological apex in North America - or is it? After soaking in the panoramic views at the pass we saw a white wolf trotting through a meadow in the valley below as we proceeding down the mountain.

4) Two Medicine Pass: During our trek to the pass we saw a ton of wildlife, including an owl, an extremely large bull moose just below Rockwell Falls, and then, as we neared the pass, we came upon a large herd of Bighorn sheep. Numbering at least three dozen, it was by far the largest herd of Bighorns we've ever seen in one place. Once atop the pass we enjoyed outstanding panoramic views on both sides of the narrow ridge.

5) Firebrand Pass: This hike begins from the Lubec Trailhead in the southeast corner of the park. It visits a pass that was named for the devastating forest fires that hit this region in 1910, the year Glacier became a national park. From the pass hikers will enjoy commanding views of 7347-foot Skeleton Mountain and the Ole Creek drainage area.

6) Medicine Grizzly Lake: This hike is also located in the fairly remote Cut Bank valley. The hike visits a fairly large lake that rests in a basin below the Continental Divide, and is surrounded by towering mountains. Look closely and you'll notice several waterfalls cascading hundreds of feet down the walls of those peaks.

7) Gunsight Lake: In addition to visiting an extremely beautiful alpine lake, you'll also pass Mirror Pond along the way, which just might be one of the most sublime spots in the entire park!

8) Apgar Lookout: From the historic fire tower hikers will enjoy grand views of the entire length of Lake McDonald, as well as the high peaks in the heart of Glacier. The Apgar Lookout Trail is also one of the first trails with great views to be free of snow, making this an excellent choice for an early season hike.

9) Mt. Brown Lookout: The historic Mount Brown Lookout was constructed in 1929. From it, hikers will enjoy commanding views of Mount Vaught, McPartland Mountain and Heavens Peak towards the north, Sperry Glacier towards the east, as well as Lake McDonald in the valley far below. The trail leading to the tower climbs more than 4200 feet in just 5 miles, making it one of the toughest hikes in the park.

10) Beaver Pond Loop: As the name would imply, the hike visits a couple of small beaver ponds, as well as the Historic 1913 Ranger Station. A very short side trip from the loop leads to the shore of St. Mary Lake, which offers exceptional views from this vantage point. This trail is also one of first trails in the park to be free of snow in the spring. A preponderance of aspens makes this a great fall hike as well.



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Glacier National Park preserves more than a million acres of some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout this vast park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Exploring Glacier National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Glacier: