Highlighting the Highline Trail

Below is an excellent "hikelogue" from The West is Big! Travel Guides. The film highlights one of the best hikes in America. This epic starts from Logan Pass in the heart of Glacier National Park, and takes hikers along the famous Highline Trail to the Granite Park Chalet. From the Chalet the filmmakers take you up to the Continental Divide at Swiftcurrent Pass, and then down the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail and into the Many Glacier area. In all, this quintessential Glacier trip covers roughly 15 miles!



Although this might be a fairly difficult hike for most people to do in one day, hikers still have several options for enjoying this spectacular scenery. You could plan to stay overnight at the Granite Park Chalet, thus breaking the hike into two relatively easy days. However, reservations are usually needed several months in advance to stay at this popular backcountry inn. You should also note that you'll need to have two cars, or hire a shuttle to do this one-way hike.

Another option is to take the one-way, 11.8-mile hike from Logan Pass to the Loop. This option takes hikers along the Highline Trail to the Granite Park Chalet, and then travels west bound down the mountain to a spot on the Going-to-the-Sun Road known as the Loop. Hikers can take the free park shuttle back up to Logan Pass (actually, it's better to park your car at the Loop, and then take the shuttle to Logan Pass first thing in the morning). If this still seems like too many miles, you'll also have the option of hiking out to Haystack Pass. This moderate 7.2-mile out and back hike still offers hikers a lot of world-class mountain scenery.

If you do plan to visit Glacier this year, please note that our website offers a wide variety of accommodation listings to help with your vacation planning.



Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park

Highline Trail Expected to Open By Friday

According to a press release published this afternoon, the popular Highline Trail at Logan Pass is anticipated to be open by Friday, possibly earlier. Hikers are encouraged to plan ahead and be prepared as they may encounter rocks and mud on trails, eroded trail tread, and some snowfields on higher elevation trails across the park.

Due to recent mud and rock slides along the Highline Trail, both west and east-side park trail crews have been working to allow for public access on the trail from Logan Pass to Haystack Butte. On July 17 a rain event triggered numerous mud and rock slides in the area and deposited lots of rock and mud debris on the trail. Much of the tread, flat surfaces or step-like features built by trail crew, were washed out. In several areas of the trail, bedrock is exposed and hikers are encouraged to use caution. Often the bedrock is angled downhill, wet, and potentially slick. The use of hiking poles is encouraged in this area.

Visitors planning to hike on trails in the higher elevations of the park are encouraged to have appropriate footwear for snow travel, specifically lug-sole boots, and self-arrest tools such as ice axe and crampons, as well as the knowledge and skills to utilize the tools. It is recommended to have layers of clothing available, including a rain jacket, for changing weather conditions throughout the park. All hikers are encouraged to turn around if conditions exceed what is comfortable or beyond personal experience and limitations.

Once fully open, hikers will have the option of hiking from Logan Pass to Haystack Pass, or out to the Granite Park Chalet, or they can make the epic one-way hike down to the The Loop (while using the shuttle).

To keep up with the latest trail updates, please visit the park website.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com

Glacier Park Employee Injured in Fall

A Glacier National Park employee was seriously injured today in a fall while working. As a veteran member of the park's trail crew, the 31-year old female was working with other crew members on sections of the popular Highline Trail. The incident occurred as the crew was returning to the Logan Pass Trailhead.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. yesterday park dispatch received a call from another member of the trail crew initiating a response to the incident. Initial reports indicate that the female trail crew member slid approximately 200 feet down snow from the trail to the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It appears that she fell onto the road from the snow field. The Three Rivers Ambulance and A.L.E.R.T. air ambulance were dispatched to the park while park rangers responded to the scene to stabilize the patient for transport to a medical facility. Emergency responders encountered rain, wind and limited visibility. She was transported via A.L.E.R.T. to Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Her condition is unknown at this time.

The Highline Trail has been, and will continue to be closed to the public from Logan Pass to Haystack Butte for snow hazards. It is unknown when this section of the trail will be open to public travel. Snow conditions exist throughout the higher elevations of the park and visitors are highly encouraged to use extreme caution and have the appropriate skills and equipment to navigate such areas, or perhaps visit those areas once conditions improve.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com

Video: Hiking the Highline

Steve Salis narrates this 15.3-mile classic trek that takes him across the Highline Trail to Granite Park Chalet, over Swiftcurrent Pass, and then down to Redrock Falls before finishing his epic hike at Many Glacier:




If making plans to visit Glacier National Park this summer, be sure to visit our accommodations page to help with your lodging needs.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com