Category: Hiking

Glacier National Park has over 700 miles of trails, which means endless possibilities and routes for an epic 4-day backpacking adventure. If you didn’t know before, when you go with a guide (Like Glacier Guides) we take care of every little detail to ensure your backpacking trip is enjoyable and memorable from beginning to end…. Read more »

Glacier Guides & Montana Raft has a wide variety of backpacking trips that can suit any skill level. Our trips are also designed to be accessible and affordable, so when you book with us, you don’t need to worry about breaking the bank. If you’re new to the backpacking scene but are looking to take… Read more »

There is a lot to remember when it comes to planning your Glacier National Park vacation. From vehicle reservations & backpacking permits to planned park construction and what to expect day-to-day. We recently met with park staff and got a bit of information regarding what to expect moving forward. Vehicle Reservations If you haven’t heard… Read more »

There’s a lot to coordinate while planning a trip to Glacier National Park. Between vehicle reservations, hitting The Park during that perfect Goldilocks timeframe, seeing Going-to-the-Sun Road and making sure you don’t burn out on day 2. Luckily for you, we here at Glacier Guides and Montana Raft know Glacier National Park like the back… Read more »

Glacier National Park has a variety of hikes in it’s over 700 miles of trails. There’s a chance to take it easy on a family friendly hike like Avalanche Lake or Glacier Guides Wednesday hike to Virginia Falls, but for those of you looking for the ultimate trip that will leave those legs burning and… Read more »

POV: You want to travel to Glacier National Park and have the most epic vacation. You got the time off work, you’ve reserved the dog boarding and booked the flights. Now it’s time for the nitty gritty details of what to do every day and you’re interested in a “one stop shop” kind of place…. Read more »

Yellowstone Photo by Laminda Nickla on Unsplash. Glacier Photo by GGMR Guide Garrett Glasgow At Glacier Guides and Montana Raft, we like to say if you’re lucky enough to live in Montana, you’re lucky enough! Montana boasts two gorgeous National Parks, being Glacier National Park, which also dips into Canada, and Yellowstone National Park, which… Read more »

There’s a lot to think about when vacationing somewhere you’ve never been. Like how close you want to be to town, what activities you want to do, the best restaurants and food you’ve got to try. But more important than that, you want to make sure your money is going to the right places and… Read more »

The search for the perfect wedding venue can be the best part of the planning process. In our opinion, anything in NW Montana within spitting distance of Glacier National Park is the exact definition of “perfect wedding.” However, getting married in a National Park can prove to have it’s own challenges — permits, prices, road… Read more »

There are plenty of reasons to not cancel your trip to Glacier National Park, and unfavorable weather is certainly a big one. The weather is always unpredictable on the Continental Divide, which bisects Glacier National Park and at Glacier Guides Montana Raft, we explore in every type — because there’s beauty to see even on… Read more »

What To Do For 5 Days in May You’re ready to explore, you’ve been dying to go rafting for years, you have seen photos of people biking Going-To-The-Sun Road and want to try it out yourself. And it just so happens, you’re extremely free and ready to roam in May. As luck would have it,… Read more »

If you’re anything like us, you’re getting ready for summer and you’re already planning that trip to Glacier National Park. Visit Glacier Guides where you can raft, hike, fish, bike or stay with us while you’re in town.  While you plan that trip, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with Leave No Trace and best… Read more »

Let us start off by saying, there is a whole other level of beauty in Glacier in the winter. There’s just something about waking up to see snowy mountains in the brisk morning air. Or watching the alpenglow along the Lake McDonald skyline in the early evening light.

If you’re thinking of hiking Siyeh Pass in the fall, there are a few things you should know. It’s not every autumn that Siyeh Pass is still accessible to hikers. Glacier National Park can see snow every month of the year, and September snows are the rule, not the exception.

November In Glacier National Park You can often see, and hear, your breath in November in Glacier National Park. Flaming trees and frosty meadows abound. The cold silence is thrilling to prepared visitors – but preparation is the key to success! Read on for our advice on Glacier National Park trips in November. What’s Open… Read more »

Gunsight Lake Waterfalls, Moose Habitat, and Glaciers Galore The trail to Gunsight Lake makes for an incredibly scenic day. This hike is known for its up close and personal views of Blackfoot and Jackson glaciers on the way to the spectacular lake. Difficulty: Advanced. 12.6 miles, 1500 feet. This hike is challenging, but worth it! We… Read more »

Six Days in Glacier’s Backcountry Backpacking in Glacier National Park is our passion. As a company, we were founded because of the need we saw for ecologically sensitive backpacking in Glacier Park. That was back in 1983. Since then, we’ve taken thousands of guests on 2, 3, 4, 6, and even 10 day backpacking tours of… Read more »

Granite Park Chalet Hike: The Photo Tour We’re starting to plan out next summer’s adventures, including our 3 day Granite Park Chalet hike! Although we won’t have firm Summer 2020 trip dates until January 2020, we are signing people up to be on the first-to-know-trip-dates email. We’ll send that email in January. If Chalet trips interest… Read more »

2019 Hike to Sperry Chalet Two years ago today, on August 31, 2017, the main dormitory at Sperry Chalet burned to the ground in the Sprague Fire. The Glacier National Park community was shocked. I sat on my porch and cried my heart out at the loss of the old gal. Next morning, seeing the first pictures,… Read more »

Grinnell Glacier   If your Glacier National Park dream is to see a glacier up close and personal, hiking to Grinnell Glacier is an absolute must! Outstanding vistas, alpine meadows, and the park’s only glacier fairly easily accessible by trail make this steep trek worth every step. There are two ways to approach Grinnell Glacier:… Read more »

Hiking Siyeh Pass Siyeh Pass Hike Profile Glacier Guides Difficulty Rating: Strenuous.  Elevation Gain: 2,240 ft./683 m (3,440 ft./1,048 m descent) Mileage: 10.1 miles (16.3 km) round trip.  Hiking Time (estimate): Allow 3 ½ -4 hours to reach the pass, 1 hour for lunch, and 3- 3 ½ hours to complete your trip. Other: Portions… Read more »

Otokomi Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana This hike explores the Rising Sun Area. Nestled in a bright red cirque known as the Rose Basin, Otokomi Lake is perfect for anyone looking for a challenging hike, typically with little foot traffic. The Otokomi Lake trail provides opportunities to learn about glaciation, forest fire ecology, wildlife, park… Read more »

Apikuni Falls  Hike Profile Not only is there a debate on how Apikuni (or Appekunny) Falls is spelled, but also of its meaning, either “white-spotted robe” or “scabby robe.” The white man who earned the Indian name of “Apikuni” married into the Blackfeet tribe and lived with them for many years. “Scabby robe” refers to… Read more »

The Highline Trail in Glacier National Park Hike Profile If expansive vistas and alpine meadows excite you, look no further than the Highline Trail! This trail traverses the western side of the Continental Divide, the glacially carved ridge that divides our continent’ss watersheds. This trail is characterized by gentle ups and down, until the final… Read more »

Huckleberry Lookout in Glacier National Park Huckleberry Lookout definitely lives up to its name. In the late summer months, this trail is lined with juicy huckleberries, a delightful snack for the hungry hiker. Humans are not the only species who enjoy this sweet fruit, however. Huckleberry Mountain (6,593 ft.) is known as a bear paradise… Read more »

Top 5 FAQ About Backpacking in Glacier National Park #1: What’s up with the backcountry permit system for 2023? Before you take off on your epic adventure, make sure you head to Recreation.gov or the permitting office the day your trip begins to snag a backpacking permit. Glacier National Park is transitioning to Recreation.gov for… Read more »

Normally, I don’t write blog posts for Glacier Guides and Montana Raft in first person. But this one, about the Sperry Chalet rebuild, is personal. On Saturday, I went and paid my respects to Sperry Chalet. First, some background.

Ptarmigan Tunnel Glacier Guides Difficulty Rating: Strenuous. Elevation Gain: 2,300 ft. Mileage: 10.6 miles. Hiking Time (estimate): Allow 4-4½ hours to reach the tunnel, 1 hour for lunch, and 3-3½ hours to return. Other: Trails in the Many Glacier area are frequently closed due to bear activity. It is wise to check with a ranger… Read more »

It isn’t the thousands of icicles hanging precipitously from the cliffs of Mt. Cannon. And it’s not the white blankets on the ancient green cedars. It isn’t even the magic of hiking through a snow shower.

The best time to visit Glacier is autumn, of course, if you’re a hiker. With a bit of planning and preparation for the possibility of wintry weather and the definite lack of services, you’ll be greatly rewarded by fall hiking in Glacier National Park.