DebInTN

Travelling to GNP in Sept (hate seeing the pictures of the wildfire - hope they get it under control soon). Our flight arrives around 3pm. Anybody know of a scenic walk near the west entrance that we could use to stretch our legs for a couple of hours before dinner? Not interested in steep climbs - saving that for the rest of the trip - but would love to end up at a beautiful view.

mahoneycutt

I'm hoping others will suggest a trail but how about taking the Going to the Sun road with plenty of stops at the pullouts (especially for sunset)?

Mike Honeycutt

Photodog

Just before you reach the St Mary entrance station take a left turn towards the 1913 Ranger Station. Park here. There is a nice loop trail around the station. If you want a longer hike this trail joins with the St. Mary Lake Trail then the Red Eagle Lake Trail. You can take this as far as you like, runs about 8.5 miles to head of Red Eagle Lake then onto Triple Divide.

Drive up the Going to Sun Road to Sun Point. There is a nice loop trail which takes you to Baring Falls and onto Virginia Falls.

If you want to drive as far as Logan Pass you could take the boardwalk to Hidden Lake. Almost guaranteed to see Mountain goats and a spectacular views or cross the road from the visitor center and take the Highline Trail.

Can check trail status by going to www.nps.glac/activities/stmar.htm

John

Hello from Northwest Montana.
Assuming you are flying into Kalispell, it will be approx.4 to 430 pm when you arrive at the park.
St. Mary, Sun Point etc. are on the east side of Logan pass making it a fairly long drive that time of day.
Coming in the west side, I'd suggest Rocky Point for a "leg stretcher". It's a 2 mile round trip with an elevation gain of only 85 feet. Not spectacular view but a good way to get started. Trailhead is just north of Fish Creek campground probably 5 to 6 miles from the west entrance. Ask the ranger for directions as you enter the park.
Happy trails

bob_brown

Hidden Lake is a good one.
I recommend it. You are above tree line there and the vistas are beautiful. You get a good view of the Garden Wall,the park's most prominent feature around Logan Pass.

tovarich

Hidden lake overlook.paul

John

Hidden Lake IS good though it is all the way up to Logan Pass. Coming in at that late hour and the drive to and up to pass and down again will put you awful late for dinner.

DebInTN

Thanks to all. Airline called yesterday to tell us our flights have been juggled, so now we won't arrive in Kalispell until 4:30, so that changes everything - unless they juggle us back where we began! Doesn't matter, I'm counting the days till we leave!!

bob_brown

With the late arrival time, you probably will have enough daylight for either Avalanche Lake or Fish Lake.

Both are on the west side of the park, well below the summit of Logan Pass.

Avalanche Lake is a 4 mile round trip along the Trail of the Cedars.

The climb is moderate at 500 feet whereas Fish Lake is 1,000 feet of upward walking.