Cracker lake trail hike to cracker lake, glacier naitonal park. Cracker lake hike in glacier national park trekkinglacier. Visit for more expert glacier content and maps that help you decide which trail to hike. Located at the head of a canyon, the waters of cracker lake are an opaque turquoise from rock flour silt originating from siyeh glacier. Cracker lake hike glacier national park 2020 what to. The trail there only leads to the cracker lake site so you cant really get away from doing an outandback hike. When you can see the glaciers in the distance, rejoice, you are getting close.
Three tent sites sit on a grassy slope above the lakes southeastern shore, offering uninterrupted views of the entire cirque. Visit cracker lake hike on your trip to glacier national park. The cracker lake trailhead begins from eastern shore of swiftcurrent lake, 20. Nestled behind the swiftcurrent motor inn, the 1,450foot climb of the iceberg lake trail provides some of the most breathtaking views in glacier national park. Cracker lake hike to cracker lake in glacier national park. This is not a very busy trail, so we were very cautious about bears. It felt a little surreal to be looking at this postcard. Cracker lake occupies one of several spectacular cirques that can be reached on easy day hikes from the many glacier area. The cracker lake trailhead is located at the many glacier hotel parking lot south end of the parking lot, and this popular glacier park hike to cracker lake is 6. To the south of cracker lake lies mount siyeh which rises more than 4000ft above. Thats a nice reward after hiking uphill for 10 kilometers 6.
Hiking the cracker lake trail in glacier national park. Another mile along the trail and youll come to an overlook and get your first glimpse of cracker lake with its surreal milky turquoise water quite a sight. Cracker lake is located in glacier national park, in the u. The hike to cracker lake in glacier national park begins from the piegan pass cracker lake trailhead, located at the south end of the. Backpacking cracker lake in glacier national park takes the beauty of this park to a higher level. Glacier national park glacier park hikes cracker lake. One of the most beautiful hikes in glacier national park by riley the parks expert march 12, 2018 march 30, 2020 my favorite thing about the cracker lake trail is i hardly saw another human being. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from may until october. Cracker lake many glacier glacier national park hiking. Dont be fooled by its deep blue tropicallooking color it is extremely cold. Swan mountain outfitters glacier division operates in and around glacier national park from mid may through the end of septemberearly october, weather dependent. One of the most beautiful hikes in glacier national park covid19 the national park service is modifying its operations on a parkbypark basis. Youll be basking in spectacular views of mount siyeh and allen mountain. This peaceful montana trail leads to a lake youll have.
The intrepid alpine lake swimmer may choose to brave the frigid waters of cracker lake. Highline trail guide logan pass to swiftcurrent motor inn duration. Cracker lake hike glacier national park tripadvisor. Wondering about backcountry camping aka backpacking in glacier national park. Cracker lake trail is a 12 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near babb, montana that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The 2020 trail ride schedules and rates are listed below. The two medicine map includes cobalt lake, dawson pass, logan pass, piegan pass, st. The trailhead for cracker lake leaves from the many glacier parking lot. The scenery at the lake is spectacular and the history surrounding this unique area only adds to the days adventure. The beginning of the trail is frequented by the horse concessionaires, so it can be less than. You simply cannot visit glacier national park without doing at least one hike. The trail to otokomi lake is known as both the otokomi lake trail and the rose creek trail, which is a little confusing.
The 1,400 foot elevation gain may be less than half of what we experienced in big pine but is still considered strenuous by many hiking metrics. To the south of cracker lake lies mount siyeh which rises more than 4,000 feet 1,200 m above the lake. Cracker lake trail is a 12 mile hike deep into glacier national park through grizzly territory. In the course of the hike, we encountered waterfalls, glaciers, a wide range of ecosystems, a bull moose, and a grizzly bear. Curious about trying to backcountry camp as a family. Cracker lake is located in the many glacier region of the park, and it ranks among most peoples top 10 hikes to do in glacier national park. Cracker lake trail is among the best hikes in glacier park montana. These rates do not include a tip for your wrangler, if you feel they deserve it. Anyways, the feature of this post is the cracker lake trail, an outandback hike to the titular. Grinnell glacier trail in glacier national park guide duration.
From the many glacier corral, we are permitted to take guests to either cracker lake or to poia lake for a full day day ride. The parking lot is up behind the many glacier hotel, there are a lot of parking spots but it fills up quickly so it is best to get there early. Its hard to say what youll notice first when you reach glaciers cracker lakethe aquablue water or the imposing, gray cliffs that angle thousands of feet upward to the point of 10,003foot mt. Glacier national park cracker lake this will be my second glacier post in a row, but to be fair the national park is full of awesome hikes id say its justified. Cracker lake in glacier national park get inspired everyday. The trail continued for a few more miles and we were all exhausted about a mile before arriving to cracker lake. Cracker lake trail in glacier national park keep it on. The cracker lake hike is one of those mustdo hikes in the many glacier region of glacier national park. The early morning start begins from the trailhead adjacent to the many glacier hotel upper parking lot in the many glacier region of glacier.
Opening sooner are the hikes to red rock falls, iceberg lake, apikuni falls, and cracker lake. For an overnight trip, check out backpack to cracker lake. Things to do in glacier national parkhikes, camping, tips. Glacier national park tourism glacier national park hotels glacier national park vacation rentals glacier national park packages. One of the most popular hikes in the park is the trek to grinnell glacier. Cracker lake in glacier park is nestled in a huge glacial cirque, and is surrounded by a natural cathedral of towering walls and peaks. This is a convenient one day backpacking trip or day hike. Cracker lake trail backpack, camp, and hike near many. Backpacking cracker lake glacier national park nurse to. Located in the many glacier area of glacier national park, the trail is about 12. Youll get off the beaten path as cracker lake is significantly less busy than iceberg lake. Cracker lake trail winds around the base of allen mountain at 0.
Backcountry camping cracker lake in glacier national park. The view of the turquoise blue water of cracker lake is absolutely stunning. Cracker lake hiking trail, swiftcurrent, montana hiking project. Cracker lake in glacier park is a beautiful glacial turquoisecolored lake that is absolutely aweinspiring. The hike to cracker lake in glacier national park begins from the piegan pass cracker lake trailhead, located at the south end of the parking lot above the many glacier hotel. Cracker lake hike, glacier national park epic views, switchbacks, and exhaustion. The hike to and from cracker lake is a long one, but worth it it can be broken up into two days by. Cdt throughhikers mexico to canada, who plan on entering glacier at marias pass, should call the backcountry office at 406 8887857 prior to starting.
Backpacking cracker lake in glacier national park a step by step guide. A 110mile segment of the continental divide national scenic trail cdt runs through glacier. Cracker lake back country camping glacier national. The glacier sectional series maps have a scale of 1. Almost immediately after starting your hike youll reach a split in the trail. Regardless of the beautiful mountain cliffs and forests found along the trail, cracker lake is definitely a must see.
Many glacier is probably my favorite section of the park for its intense stunning beauty and glacial colored lakes. Is this a place or activity you would suggest for families with kids. As cracker lake is far removed from the busier places of glacier national park, be extra bear aware when making this excursion. Cracker peak to the southeast and allen mountain to the north are other. The trail leaves from the south side of the parking lot and. Cdt throughhikers mexico to canada, who plan on entering glacier at marias pass, should call the backcountry office at 406 8887857 prior to starting their trip for information on obtaining a backcountry permit. During our 3day stay in glacier, we chose to hike the cracker lake trail. Cracker lake hike glacier national park 2020 all you need to. Heck, the next eight days felt like walking through a postcard. Glacier national park has some of our states most scenic hiking trails, many of which stay popular and therefore crowded during its peak season. Includes glacier park hikes, glacier park trails, hikes in glacier national park.
The many glacier map includes cracker lake, waterton lakes national park, goat haunt, belly river and more. The cracker lake trail begins at the parking lot of many glacier hotel, a stunning scene hugging the edge of swift current lake with mount grinnell rising up on the far shore. There may be offtrail hiking in the area, but im not familiar with that. The designated cdt route and an earlylate season alternate route are marked in blue on the map. To continue on towards cracker lake hikers should turn left at this junction. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for. This peaceful montana trail leads to a lake youll have all to yourself. You might find yourself alone with your fellow backpackers, free to take in the bewildering views of nature on your own. Cracker lake truly portrays the uniqueness of glacier national park. Glacier national park hikes otokomi lake trail glacier np. The 11 mile round trip has 1100 feet of elevation gain and while the trail itself is only moderately scenic its mostly in the forest though there are some nice views across the flats at the head of sherburne lake the destination is stunning.