Sperry Glacier occupies a broad, shallow cirque situated just beneath and west of the Continental Divide in the Lewis Mountain Range of Glacier National Park, Montana. One of the items we found was an article on two mountain chalets in the park - Granite Park Chalet and its sister chalet, Sperry … Start by parking at the Lake McDonald Lodge parking lot and cross the street to begin hiking the Sperry Chalet Trail. The climb is accompanied by fine views of Feather Woman Falls and Lincoln Peak. Your hike will being at the Sperry Trailhead adjacent to the Lake McDonald Lodge. Distance: 7.6 - 8.2 miles RT from Sperry Chalet or Campground Continue south into the Sperry Glacier Basin and ascend gradually along the glacier's foot; aim for Comeau Pass between Mts. At the pass a sign indicated that the Sperry Glacier is 0.6 miles further. Gunsight Mountain towers above the ice field to the west. The Sperry Glacier Basin is one of the most incredible and diverse landscapes in Glacier National Park. 4000 ft gain Edwards Mountain looms above the basin to the west. The first 5.8 miles of the hike follows the Gunsight Pass trail to the junction with the Sperry Glacier trail. Pr... Overview Crossing the basin leads to a gentle route up to the Sperry Glacier and then onto Comeau Pass. Sperry Chalet Trail is a 11.9 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Lake Mc Donald, Montana that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Hike to Sperry Glacier Basin, Glacier NP Starting out at the Sperry Trailhead adjacent to Lake McDonald Lodge, climb 9 miles up the trail to Comeau Pass. This content was created by Jake Bramante of Hike 734. Hike to Sperry Glacier Basin, Glacier NP Starting out at the Sperry Trailhead adjacent to Lake McDonald Lodge, climb 9 miles up the trail to Comeau Pass. Follow the trail signs to Comeau Pass, and then continue East into the basin itself to find breathtaking views of the entire Sperry Glacier clinging to the North Face of Gunsight Peak. To the north are more great views of the high peaks first seen from Comeau Pass. As you proceed northeast views open to Mount Vaught, McPartland Mountain and Heavens Peak to the west. Along the way the path climbs a few rock ledges. Alternative take the shuttle bus from the Apgar Visitor Center, a better option during the height of the summer when parking is limited. Visit hike734.com for more expert Glacier content and maps that help you decide which trail to hike. Sperry Glacier Distance: 7.6 - 18.4 miles (Round Trip) This spectacular hike climbs through gorgeous Glacier Basin, passes beautiful waterfalls and lovely alpine lakes before climbing to scenic Comeau … alexblondeau - Aug 19, 2013 3:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2013 Finally . Depending on the time of year you will likely cross a few lingering snow fields on the climb. Here a stunning panorama of Glacier’s high peaks towering above Avalanche Basin, the Logan Pass area and beyond fills the skyline to the north. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, snowboarding, and backpacking and is best used from June until October. At the first intersection turn left on the road that runs parallel to the front of the Lodge. During the summers 1894-1906, Dr. Sperry camped, climbed, and explored in the Montana Rockies, particularly in the … Starting out at the Sperry Trailhead adjacent to Lake McDonald Lodge, climb 9 miles up the trail to … 469 Trip Reports for this trail, below. Sperry Chalet is one of Glacier’s historic treasures. Sperry Glacier, Sperry Glacier Basin, and Sperry Chalets are named in his honor. A short walk beyond the pass leads to the ice expanse of Sperry Glacier. Note: The Sperry Glacier junction with the Gunsight Pass trail is 0.4 miles below Sperry Chalet and 0.7 miles below the Sperry Campground. Hike the Sperry Trail for nine miles to Comeau Pass (8000ft). So much better than the hike up to Sperry Chalet is the hike from the Chalet to Sperry Glacier. The scenery is nonstop and the views simply breathtaking. The climb through the upper basin leads to a stone stairway chiseled in the basin’s headwall. This is truly an amazing hike. Most visitors head back from this overlook, but the trail does continue downward for an additional 1.2 miles to the north side of Hidden Lake. Soon views open to a beautiful Feather Woman Lake (7,538-ft.). © HikingWalking.com. Edwards and Gunsight. The trail does continue just over a mile past the overlook and interpretive sign, but it is very steep down to the lake. At 0.7 miles the path crosses the Akaiyan Creek and then ascends the basin’s western wall on long switchback through meadows and talus. This is a steep descent that can be a challenging addition. This content was created by Jake Bramante of Hike 734. Below the glacier several meltwater ponds, feeding meltwater to the waterfalls spills down the slopes of Avalanche Basin, lie along a rock plateau. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Highline Trail in Glacier National Park: guided tour from Logan Pass to Swiftcurrent Motor Inn - Duration: 12:18. A steel cable along the steps provides a level of security when the steps are covered in snow/ice. Carefully pick your way through snowfields into the basin to explore some of the unbelievably turquoise water. The trail climbs steadily, and quickly weeds out the faint of heart, but it is well worth the sore legs.Follow the trail … There are no trails within the basin, and avoid getting out too high on the glacier. The path now traverses shelf high above the west and north sides of the lake. Hike by WTA Community : Multiple authors contributed to this report. A short distance beyond take your next left on a one-way road heading back to the Going-to-the-Sun road. Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and more! At 2.4 miles the trail reaches the next tier of the upper basin where Akaiyan Lake lies cradled in a rocky bowl. Along the way the trail climbs a few stone ledges. Length 7.8 mi Elevation gain 2,194 ft Route type Out & Back The trail is accessible (though sometimes covered in snow) year-round because the trailhead lies in the lower elevation area of the park. Sperry Glacier and its basin feed Avalanche Lake and is the source of many of the waterfalls at the head of the lake. The path to the glacier heads northeast across the broad pass and then descend about 50-ft. to a cairned/boot-beaten path across permanent snowfields. This road also includes parking for the Lake McDonald Lodge and the trailhead. (Note from time to time the trail … Be the first to leave a review! To the north are more great views of the high peaks around the Logan Pass area and beyond. This volume features routes up Sinopah Mountain, Grizzly Mountain, Appistoki Peak, Flinsch … Looking north towards the foot of Sperry Glacier, beyond the pass, the sharp spire of Little Matterhorn can be seen. At 1.1 miles the grade steepens as the path climbs short steep switchbacks. Sperry Glacier Trail near West Glacier in Glacier National Park, Montana - This spectacular hike climbs through gorgeous Glacier Basin, passes beautiful waterfalls and lovely alpine lakes before climbing to scenic Comeau Pass, with panoramic views of Glacier’s high peaks. An Overnight Hike to Sperry Chalet, Glacier National Park On Wednesday after we arrived in Kalispell, we gather information on Glacier National Park to try to decide what interests us. The trail starts... To Sperry Glacier. A few extremely fit and well acclimated hikers reach the Sperry Glacier on a day hike starting at the Gunsight trailhead near Lake McDonald Lodge. Add the appropriate mileage if starting from the Chalet or the Campground. In the upper basin the path ascends rocky meadows, talus slopes and rock ledges, traveling by beautiful Feather Woman Lake and Akaiyan Lake, nestled in rocky bowls. Below the glacier are a number of meltwater ponds that feed waterfalls in Avalanche Basin. During my last hike a large herd of Mountain Goats were reclining on the ledges above the pass. The hike to the... Sperry Glacier Trail … Although it is only 7 miles (11 … Trailhead Elevation: 3,190-ft Visible peaks include Bearhat Mountain, Mount Cannon, Clements Mountain, Reynolds Mountain, Pollack Mountain, the Bishops Cap and Mount Gould, to name a few. Hike Info. See the Sperry Chalet trail description for more information about the section of the hike. Only a small patch of ice remains to testify of this glacier. All Rights Reserved. Below you are fine views of Akaiyan and Feather Woman Lakes set against backdrop of the high peaks to the southwest. Waterfalls cascade down ledges, fed by meltwater from permanent snowfields clinging to the rugged peaks rimming the basin. Check the Glacier National Park and Sperry Chalet website for the most up-to-date information. As you climb enjoy views of a waterfall plunging down the sheer cliffs below the pass. As you get moving on the hike, you'll pass the Sperry Chalet. Floods in 2006 severely damaged the Glacier Basin trail, but after four years of work, WTA completed a new trail in Glacier Basin at Mount Rainier National Park in the summer of 2011. Big Creek Campground lies in the expansive Flathead National Forest in northwestern Montana. Region Information: Rate this Adventure Your hike will being at the Sperry Trailhead adjacent to the Lake McDonald Lodge. The trailhead for the Gunsight Pass trail to Sperry Chalet is on the east side of the road. 19 miles You will then hike another 2.5 miles up the Sperry Glacier Trail to the actual Sperry Glacier… Flat rocks place along the broad crossing help keep your feet dry. When you are done taking in the scene retrace your steps, enjoying the gorgeous views all over again on the return journey. The Akaiyan Falls spills over rock slabs to the right (east) of the trail. The route is class 2 with a few easy class 3 ledges thrown in for fun! Beyond the crossing the trail ascends along the west side of the upper basin on moderately-steep to steep grades. Please explore responsibly! Starting Elevation: 6,420-ft. (at junction) Edwards Mountain rises to the west. There is some evidence that a massive glacier existed on the north face 100 years ago. From the pass a boot-beaten route, marked with cairns and stakes, heads northeast through permanent snowfields. This content was created by Jake Bramante of Hike … From the junction of the Gunsight Pass and Sperry Glacier trails, follow the Sperry Glacier trail as it travels through trees and then meadows along the east side of Glacier Basin. Watch for mountain goats in the upper basin. Typically in the morning, when people are checking out, you should be able to find a space. Above the lake waterfalls on the inlet stream tumble down rock ledges. Cross Feather Woman Lake’s outlet stream at 2.0 miles. Take the next left on an unmarked one-way road with a small wood building at the corner. If 17.5 miles seems a little long for a day hike, you can look into … This is a highly scenic area with waterfalls spills down the steep cliffs above the trail. Here the trail travels through a landscape of rock outcropping and small alpine meadows. Maximum Elevation: 8,025-ft. Advanced reservations are required for both the Chalet and the campground. The Floral Park route, which links Logan Pass (6646 ft.) to Lake McDonald (3153 ft.) via the Sperry Glacier basin and Comeau Pass, delivers a veritable checklist of things to see while you are on this earth: glacial lakes and melt-ponds in mind-bending shades of blue and green; snowfields and glacier … Hike "line of sight" … Visit hike734.com for more expert Glacier content and maps that help you decide which trail … The scenery is nonstop and the views simply breathtaking. The path ends at the Sperry Glacier Overlook. At the top of the stairs is Comeau Pass where an incredible panoramic view unfolds of the high peaks rising around Avalanche Basin, the Logan Pass area and beyond. Elevation Gain: 4,835-ft. Please remember they are wild animal and keep your distance. Starting out at the Sperry Trailhead adjacent to Lake McDonald Lodge, climb 9 miles up the trail to Comeau Pass. James was responsible for creating the Great Northern Railway, which was a major developer of Glacier … From here, there is also a great view into Sperry Glacier basin. After 1.5 miles and over 1,000-ft. of elevation gain the trail crosses the Akaiyan Creek near the top of the headwall and then traverses a boulder strewn shelf to the east of the falls. There you'll find tiny Gem Lake, then a … Details: Sperry Glacier Introduction. Glacier National Park, near West Glacier in Glacier Natl Park, MT. We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. Follow th... Mount Brown Lookout in Glacier National Park is not a hike for the faint of heart! From West Glacier, MT: From the junction of US-2 and the Going-to-the-Sun Road, turn northwest on the Going-to-the-Sun Road and follow the road 2.0 miles. Starting out at the Sperry Trailhead, adjacent to Lake McDonald Lodge, climb along the trail until you see the branch off to your left for Snyder Lakes. The trail to the Sperry Glacier, Chalet and campground starts at the Gunsight Pass Trailhead, located across from the Lake McDonald Lodge on the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road (see driving directions below). © 2020 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. The hike to the Sperry Glacier is an extremely long day hike, covering 18.4 miles and climbing over 4,800-ft. Only extremely fit, well acclimated hikers should attempt the trail as a day hike. Maximum Elevation: 8,025-ft. Elevation Gain: 1,605-ft. From the overlook views extend northeast across the icy expanse. Closer at hand Edwards Mountain rises above the basin to the west. This is truly an amazing hike. This northeast facing glacier is … I'd been to the pass overlooking Floral Park in July before (Glacier was covered in snow), but two days ago I attempted the Floral Park route for the second time and the glacier … Here views stretch across the icy expanse of the Sperry Glacier. Find a parking spot along the road and then walk the rest of the distance up the road to the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Glacier Basin Trail is a 7.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Paradise Inn, Washington that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Since then, hikers … Carefully cross the Going-to-the-Sun Road using the crosswalk. It is possible to enjoy incredible views of the Garden Wall, Logan Pass as well as the Sperry Glacier basin. Elevation Gain: 1,605-ft. From the Gunsight Pass Trailhead near Lake McDonald Lodge, Distance: 18.4 miles RT The mileage in the description assumes you are starting at the junction. The trail climbs steadily, and quickly weeds out the faint of heart, but it is well worth the sore legs. The trail starts in Glacier Basin, a scenic gem clad in emerald green meadows and surrounded by a dramatic cirque adorned with waterfalls. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Horses are also able to use this trail. Maximum Elevation: 8,025-ft. Mere mortals will want to stay at the Sperry Chalet (once it reopens) or the Sperry campground and then dedicate the next day to enjoying this extraordinary area. They are habituated to hikers and are easy to photograph. Waterfalls tumble down the high ledge above the north side of the lake. Sperry Glacier and its basin feed Avalanche Lake and is the source of many of the waterfalls at the head of the lake. A good trail climbs from the lower basin to the upper basin. Glacier Natl Park, MT. It was built in 1913 by railroad tycoon James J. Hill and his son Louis. Down ledges, fed by meltwater from permanent snowfields edwards Mountain rises above trail... Duration: 12:18 a large herd of Mountain Goats were reclining on the east side of the hike to! Of ice remains to testify of this Glacier crosswalk across the icy expanse of Sperry Glacier basin dramatic adorned. 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