Hiking Siyeh Pass
These photos of Siyeh Pass in the fall were taken October 1, 2020, during a stretch of the the most glorious end-of-September weather any of us ever remember. Was it our reward for enduring 2020 to date? We sure enjoyed it!
Snow!
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.
And some years, like in 2019, September snows will shut the Going to the Sun Road down. In 2019, the east side of Glacier National Park received about 5 feet of snow on September 30! And that was it for Logan Pass access, and Siyeh Pass in the fall access, too, as it’s located on the eastern side of the Going to the Sun Road.
When Does the Going to the Sun Road Close?
In other years, like 2020, we’re gifted with high pressure, higher than average temperatures, and the most beautiful views you’ll find anywhere. But all good things must come to an end, and the park service does typically schedule the alpine section of the Going to the Sun Road to close on the 3rd Monday of October each year. So, keep that in mind if you’re thinking Siyeh Pass in the fall.
2021 Info
For 2021, that means the latest possible day to explore the full length of the Sun Road — and therefore Siyeh Pass — is October 17. The alpine section between Avalanche Creek to Jackson Glacier Overlook will close Sunday, October 17 at midnight, pending closures due to winter weather.
Takeaway: always, always check Current Conditions in the park before heading out on an adventure. And keep an eye on the weather forecast as you’re planning your autumn alpine adventures, too.
If you’re thinking seriously about hiking Siyeh Pass at any time of year, check out this blog that zeroes in on the nitty gritty details of the hike itself. Mileage, elevation gain and loss, landmarks, directions to the Siyeh Pass trailhead, etc, are all located here.
Feel free to send us your questions, and if you get to go to Siyeh, let us know how your hike was! And don’t forget to tag us in your pix on Insta, too — we’re @glacierguidesmontanaraft!