My son and I are planning a trip to Glacier Park the 2nd or 3rd week in July. He is interested in hiking to Sperry Chalet. I would like to do it also, I am just a little concerned about the difficulty of the trail. I am 55 year old female who does step aerobics 4 times a week and does 45 minutes on the treadmill at 4.0 mph and an incline of about 7, about 4 times per week. I have hiked up to Mt. Leconte in the Smokey Mountain National Park two times, the last time being about 6 years ago. I found it challenging but I made it.
So, my question is how difficult is the trail to Sperry Lodge. Can someone 55 years old in so-so shape do it? I don't want to start the hike and not complete it.

Hello from Northwest Montana. Sperry Chalet, which is on the Gunsight Pass trail, hike from East to West is rated moderately strenous. It's a 13.3 mile hike to the chalets one way. if you continue going west to Lake McDonald it is 20 miles. Elevation gain is
3287 feet and elevation loss is 3787 feet with maximum elevation at 7050 feet.
Going west to east is rated strenuous due to the quick gain in elevation. Using this route, Sperry is approx. 6.7 miles one way
Doing the whole route just about requires an overnight stay at the campgrounds and a permit is needed for this. Also, you might check with GNP as this trail may be still snow covered.
For more info
www.nps.gov/glac/home.htm
Have you given any thought to doing the Highline Trail to Granite Chalet?

Thanks for the information. Yes, I looked at Granite Chalet but it looked a lot more rustice than Sperry Chalet.

Sorry, I mispelled rustic.

Unless they have a cancellation both chalets are filled for the remainder of the season according to their websites.
You can make a very doable dayhike to Granite by taking the Highline Trail which starts at Logan Pass. Will have to walk along rock face which has some exposure but there is a handline to hold on to if you need some reassurance. Is a great hike of 7 1/2miles with only several hundred feet of elevation gain.You can then go down hill about 2 miles to The Loop where you can meet the park shuttle van & get back to Logan Pass or you can continue past Granite Chalet then walk down into Many Glacier area and pickup the shuttle there. The Highline Tr is one of prettier hikes due to the number and quantity of wildflowers you will pass.
Also from Logan you could take the boardwalk which leaves from the visitor center and go to the Hidden Lake Overlook. Will see mountain goats with their young and great scenery and alpine flowers.
Other great trips to take on your own or which are ranger led are to Grinnell Glacier in the Many Glacier Area or Iceberg Lake also in Many Glacier.
List of hikes & other info can be found on the park service website www.nps.gov/glac.

I think that given your fitness level you should be fine.

Years and years ago, in the late 60's, we would hike to sperry glacier and it was a tough hike for even us kids.

I well remember hiking up there about a week before the mauling of the young workers there, by a griz. My friends dad who was a great hiker, told me about the griz scat on the trail.

But now I would think that you would have no problem.

I am also 55 and female and fit. Like you. I wouldn't worry a bit about hiking that trail.


Take you son and hike it, it is a great hike, it is years and years since an attack by an out of control bear, that happens, one never knows when it might happen again.

We just enjoy as we can and hope to not be a news item.