Hiking St. Mary & Logan Pass Trails
NPS Graphic
Favorite Trails
Red Eagle Lake and “Beaver Loop” Trails
Just inside the east entrance to The Park are two outstanding, but often-overlooked hiking opportunities:
Red Eagle Lake is a moderately flat, yet visually spectacular and diverse, 15-mile round-trip hike, that begins within easy walking distance from The Cottages at Glacier. The high, flowered, open meadows along the trail provide ever-changing panoramas of the east side of the foothills and mountains. Much of the hike actually borders Red Eagle Creek and crosses two thrilling, yet perfectly safe, swinging bridges. Red Eagle Lake held the Montana state Rainbow Trout record for several decades and the fishing in both the lake and the creek can be very satisfying. The first few miles of the hike trace the historic dirt road into the St. Mary Valley and cross just above the old foundations of the original St. Mary Chalets at the bottom of Upper St. Mary Lake.
If you only have time for a pleasant hour-long stroll, the four-kilometer Beaver Loop Trail begins and ends at the Head of the Red Eagle Lake Trail. The back half of the trail follows a string of sometimes-active beaver ponds and returns along the now-abandoned Red Eagle Road overlooking Upper St. Mary Lake. Most hikers begin the loop behind the old historic 1913 Ranger Cabin. If you decide to begin along the old roadbed, be sure to watch for the return trail sign to the left of the main trail at about one and two-tenths of a mile in. The back leg of the loop features small, lovely meadows, dark forested areas and surprising opportunities to spot elk, deer and occasional bears. It is unusual to encounter other hikers on the back loop.
St. Mary and Virginia Falls
This 3.6-mile roundtrip hike is a very manageable hike for families of varying ages. It is not uncommon to encounter grandparents with young children making their way along this gradual trail with surprisingly diverse terrain. While it isn't difficult to find pleasant and private picnic spots along the trailside streams, expect to share the trail with other groups of hikers. This trail is very popular on days of rest from more strenuous hikes. Many parties only travel the 2.4 miles to St. Mary Falls and back, but because the two falls, while both spectacular, are so different, and the trail along the stream to Virginia Falls is so rewarding in its many small pools and cascades, most hikers opt to go the extra mile.
Siyeh Bend to Sunrift Gorge Hike
This 10.3-mile hike arguably provides the “most bang for the buck” of any day hike in The Park, especially if one is a moderately strong hiker. Even seasoned hikers know they have had a workout at the end of the day. Most “locals” would probably agree that they have chosen to repeat the Siyeh Pass hike more often than any other hike in Glacier Park. This hike can be started from either end, but it is much easier to begin from the higher elevation of Siyeh Bend. At 8080 feet, Siyeh Pass is the second-highest maintained trail pass in Glacier (second only to Two Medicine Pass, which usually involves a multi-day trip).
The beginning miles feature views of the remnants of Piegan Glacier and Piegan Pass. The first leg of the hike through Preston Park offers summer-long expanses of flowering meadows and ponds. After numerous switchbacks, hikers usually enjoy lunch while looking into three separate and extensive valleys from the pass. This is the only view that most people ever get to the Boulder Valley since there are no maintained trails in that area of The Park. The trip down begins with a rare view of an extensive glacier from above.
The Sexton Glacier/Baring Valley Runoff begins with more switchbacks and then long runs of trail, with spectacular views of the creek and small cascades below. Because of the large drop in elevation, hikers are likely to find ripe huckleberries at any time throughout the hiking season. It is not uncommon to see mountain goats, Bighorn Sheep and even bears in the open expanses on the way down. The trip ends with a cooling and truly spectacular view of Sunrift Gorge. It is very easy to catch a shuttle or hitchhike back to the car at Siyeh Bend.
Hidden Lake and Hidden Lake Overlook
No trip to Glacier National Park is complete without a visit to Logan Pass. When you make your plans to visit The Pass, be sure to arrive early in the morning or to travel by shuttle in the middle of the day. Everyone wants to visit Logan Pass and private parking is virtually impossible between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM.
Even though the 1.5-mile boardwalk hike to Hidden Lake Overlook is steep, it is absolutely delightful to greet so many ecstatic faces coming down across the flowering alpine tundra. The air is truly alive with the sound of whistling marmots and satisfied travelers. This hike is the highlight for most international visitors to Glacier National Park. There are few places in the world where you can reach such a vast and diverse alpine meadow by car.
Most hikers are satisfied with the three-mile round-trip hike to The Overlook. The view of the lake, the surrounding mountains and down into the Lake McDonald Valley is a mindful! However, the six-mile total round trip, down to Hidden Lake is more difficult, though doable by Sally’s 92-year-old mother. (Although, there are not many 92-year-olds who would take the hike in stride). Expect plenty of sunshine and very little wind on Hidden Lake. Picnickers can easily find a private beach anywhere around the lake. And, the catch and release fishing for large West Slope and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout is, usually, simply phenomenal. This trail is so well traveled and maintained that we have sometimes been surprised to find fellow hikers enjoying the trip by moonlight – no problem finding parking at night!
Just inside the east entrance to The Park are two outstanding, but often-overlooked hiking opportunities:
Red Eagle Lake is a moderately flat, yet visually spectacular and diverse, 15-mile round-trip hike, that begins within easy walking distance from The Cottages at Glacier. The high, flowered, open meadows along the trail provide ever-changing panoramas of the east side of the foothills and mountains. Much of the hike actually borders Red Eagle Creek and crosses two thrilling, yet perfectly safe, swinging bridges. Red Eagle Lake held the Montana state Rainbow Trout record for several decades and the fishing in both the lake and the creek can be very satisfying. The first few miles of the hike trace the historic dirt road into the St. Mary Valley and cross just above the old foundations of the original St. Mary Chalets at the bottom of Upper St. Mary Lake.
If you only have time for a pleasant hour-long stroll, the four-kilometer Beaver Loop Trail begins and ends at the Head of the Red Eagle Lake Trail. The back half of the trail follows a string of sometimes-active beaver ponds and returns along the now-abandoned Red Eagle Road overlooking Upper St. Mary Lake. Most hikers begin the loop behind the old historic 1913 Ranger Cabin. If you decide to begin along the old roadbed, be sure to watch for the return trail sign to the left of the main trail at about one and two-tenths of a mile in. The back leg of the loop features small, lovely meadows, dark forested areas and surprising opportunities to spot elk, deer and occasional bears. It is unusual to encounter other hikers on the back loop.
St. Mary and Virginia Falls
This 3.6-mile roundtrip hike is a very manageable hike for families of varying ages. It is not uncommon to encounter grandparents with young children making their way along this gradual trail with surprisingly diverse terrain. While it isn't difficult to find pleasant and private picnic spots along the trailside streams, expect to share the trail with other groups of hikers. This trail is very popular on days of rest from more strenuous hikes. Many parties only travel the 2.4 miles to St. Mary Falls and back, but because the two falls, while both spectacular, are so different, and the trail along the stream to Virginia Falls is so rewarding in its many small pools and cascades, most hikers opt to go the extra mile.
Siyeh Bend to Sunrift Gorge Hike
This 10.3-mile hike arguably provides the “most bang for the buck” of any day hike in The Park, especially if one is a moderately strong hiker. Even seasoned hikers know they have had a workout at the end of the day. Most “locals” would probably agree that they have chosen to repeat the Siyeh Pass hike more often than any other hike in Glacier Park. This hike can be started from either end, but it is much easier to begin from the higher elevation of Siyeh Bend. At 8080 feet, Siyeh Pass is the second-highest maintained trail pass in Glacier (second only to Two Medicine Pass, which usually involves a multi-day trip).
The beginning miles feature views of the remnants of Piegan Glacier and Piegan Pass. The first leg of the hike through Preston Park offers summer-long expanses of flowering meadows and ponds. After numerous switchbacks, hikers usually enjoy lunch while looking into three separate and extensive valleys from the pass. This is the only view that most people ever get to the Boulder Valley since there are no maintained trails in that area of The Park. The trip down begins with a rare view of an extensive glacier from above.
The Sexton Glacier/Baring Valley Runoff begins with more switchbacks and then long runs of trail, with spectacular views of the creek and small cascades below. Because of the large drop in elevation, hikers are likely to find ripe huckleberries at any time throughout the hiking season. It is not uncommon to see mountain goats, Bighorn Sheep and even bears in the open expanses on the way down. The trip ends with a cooling and truly spectacular view of Sunrift Gorge. It is very easy to catch a shuttle or hitchhike back to the car at Siyeh Bend.
Hidden Lake and Hidden Lake Overlook
No trip to Glacier National Park is complete without a visit to Logan Pass. When you make your plans to visit The Pass, be sure to arrive early in the morning or to travel by shuttle in the middle of the day. Everyone wants to visit Logan Pass and private parking is virtually impossible between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM.
Even though the 1.5-mile boardwalk hike to Hidden Lake Overlook is steep, it is absolutely delightful to greet so many ecstatic faces coming down across the flowering alpine tundra. The air is truly alive with the sound of whistling marmots and satisfied travelers. This hike is the highlight for most international visitors to Glacier National Park. There are few places in the world where you can reach such a vast and diverse alpine meadow by car.
Most hikers are satisfied with the three-mile round-trip hike to The Overlook. The view of the lake, the surrounding mountains and down into the Lake McDonald Valley is a mindful! However, the six-mile total round trip, down to Hidden Lake is more difficult, though doable by Sally’s 92-year-old mother. (Although, there are not many 92-year-olds who would take the hike in stride). Expect plenty of sunshine and very little wind on Hidden Lake. Picnickers can easily find a private beach anywhere around the lake. And, the catch and release fishing for large West Slope and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout is, usually, simply phenomenal. This trail is so well traveled and maintained that we have sometimes been surprised to find fellow hikers enjoying the trip by moonlight – no problem finding parking at night!
Day Hikes
All mileages listed are ONE-WAY
Baring Falls
0.3 mi (0.5 km)
Elevation loss: 250 ft (76 m)
Trailhead: Sunrift Gorge Pullout
Beaver Pond Loop
3.3 mi (5.3 km)
Elevation gain: 150 ft (46 m)
Trailhead: 1913 Ranger Station
Otokomi Lake
5.5 mi (8.8 km)
Elevation gain: 1,900 ft (579 m)
Trailhead: Next to Rising Sun Campstore
Piegan Pass
[a] 4.5 mi (7.2 km)
Elevation gain: 1,750 ft (533 m)
Trailhead: Piegan Pass Trailhead
[b] 8.4 mi (13.5 km)
Elevation gain: 2,650 ft (805 m)
Trailhead: South end of Many Glacier Hotel parking lot
Red Eagle Lake
8.1 mi (13 km)
Elevation gain: 200 ft (61 m)
Trailhead: 1913 Ranger Station parking area
St. Mary Falls
[a] 0.8 mi (1.3 km)
Elevation loss: 260 ft (79 m)
Trailhead: St. Mary Falls Shuttle Stop
[b] 1.2 mi (1.9 km)
Elevation loss: 260 ft (79 m)
Trailhead: St. Mary Falls Trailhead
[c] 1.6 mi (2.5 km)
Elevation gain: 140 ft (42.5 m)
Trailhead: Using concession operated boat from Rising Sun, tour fees apply
Siyeh Pass
[a] 4.6 mi (7.4 km)
Elevation gain: 2,240 ft (683 m)
Trailhead: Piegan Pass Trailhead
[b] 5.5 mi (8.9 km)
Elevation gain: 3,440 ft (1,048.5 m)
Trailhead: Sunrift Gorge Pullout
Sun Point Nature Trail
0.8 mi (1.3 km)
Elevation loss: 250 ft (76 m)
Trailhead: Sunrift Gorge Pullout
Sun Point parking area temporarily closed
Sunrift Gorge
200 ft (61 m)
Elevation gain: 40 ft (12 m)
Trailhead: Sunrift Gorge Pullout
Virginia Falls
[a] 1.6 mi (2.6 km)
Elevation change: loss 260 ft (79 m), then gain 285 ft (87 m)
Trailhead: St. Mary Falls Shuttle Stop
[b] 1.8 mi (2.3 km)
Elevation change: loss 260 ft (79 m), then gain 285 ft (87 m)
Trailhead: St. Mary Falls Trailhead
[c] 2.4 mi (3.9 km)
Elevation gain: 425 ft (129.5 m)
Trailhead: Using concession operated boat from Rising Sun, tour fees apply
Baring Falls
0.3 mi (0.5 km)
Elevation loss: 250 ft (76 m)
Trailhead: Sunrift Gorge Pullout
Beaver Pond Loop
3.3 mi (5.3 km)
Elevation gain: 150 ft (46 m)
Trailhead: 1913 Ranger Station
Otokomi Lake
5.5 mi (8.8 km)
Elevation gain: 1,900 ft (579 m)
Trailhead: Next to Rising Sun Campstore
Piegan Pass
[a] 4.5 mi (7.2 km)
Elevation gain: 1,750 ft (533 m)
Trailhead: Piegan Pass Trailhead
[b] 8.4 mi (13.5 km)
Elevation gain: 2,650 ft (805 m)
Trailhead: South end of Many Glacier Hotel parking lot
Red Eagle Lake
8.1 mi (13 km)
Elevation gain: 200 ft (61 m)
Trailhead: 1913 Ranger Station parking area
St. Mary Falls
[a] 0.8 mi (1.3 km)
Elevation loss: 260 ft (79 m)
Trailhead: St. Mary Falls Shuttle Stop
[b] 1.2 mi (1.9 km)
Elevation loss: 260 ft (79 m)
Trailhead: St. Mary Falls Trailhead
[c] 1.6 mi (2.5 km)
Elevation gain: 140 ft (42.5 m)
Trailhead: Using concession operated boat from Rising Sun, tour fees apply
Siyeh Pass
[a] 4.6 mi (7.4 km)
Elevation gain: 2,240 ft (683 m)
Trailhead: Piegan Pass Trailhead
[b] 5.5 mi (8.9 km)
Elevation gain: 3,440 ft (1,048.5 m)
Trailhead: Sunrift Gorge Pullout
Sun Point Nature Trail
0.8 mi (1.3 km)
Elevation loss: 250 ft (76 m)
Trailhead: Sunrift Gorge Pullout
Sun Point parking area temporarily closed
Sunrift Gorge
200 ft (61 m)
Elevation gain: 40 ft (12 m)
Trailhead: Sunrift Gorge Pullout
Virginia Falls
[a] 1.6 mi (2.6 km)
Elevation change: loss 260 ft (79 m), then gain 285 ft (87 m)
Trailhead: St. Mary Falls Shuttle Stop
[b] 1.8 mi (2.3 km)
Elevation change: loss 260 ft (79 m), then gain 285 ft (87 m)
Trailhead: St. Mary Falls Trailhead
[c] 2.4 mi (3.9 km)
Elevation gain: 425 ft (129.5 m)
Trailhead: Using concession operated boat from Rising Sun, tour fees apply
Logan Pass
Granite Park Chalet
[a] 7.6 mi (12.2 km)
Elevation gain: 800 ft (244 km)
Trailhead: via Highline Trail, Continental Divide sign at Logan Pass
[b] 7.6 mi (12.2 km)
Elevation gain: 2,300 ft (701 m)
Trailhead: Swiftcurrent Trailhead, by motor inn parking lot
[c] 4.2 mi (6.8 km)
Elevation gain: 2,200 ft (670.5 m)
Trailhead: The Loop Trailhead, on Going-to-the-Sun Road
Hidden Lake Overlook*
1.4 mi (2.2 km)
Elevation gain: 460 ft (140 m)
Trailhead: Logan Pass Visitor Center
*Additional 1.2 miles (1.9 km) further to Hidden Lake, dropping 780 ft (238 m) from the Overlook
[a] 7.6 mi (12.2 km)
Elevation gain: 800 ft (244 km)
Trailhead: via Highline Trail, Continental Divide sign at Logan Pass
[b] 7.6 mi (12.2 km)
Elevation gain: 2,300 ft (701 m)
Trailhead: Swiftcurrent Trailhead, by motor inn parking lot
[c] 4.2 mi (6.8 km)
Elevation gain: 2,200 ft (670.5 m)
Trailhead: The Loop Trailhead, on Going-to-the-Sun Road
Hidden Lake Overlook*
1.4 mi (2.2 km)
Elevation gain: 460 ft (140 m)
Trailhead: Logan Pass Visitor Center
*Additional 1.2 miles (1.9 km) further to Hidden Lake, dropping 780 ft (238 m) from the Overlook