Glacier National Park Series

Day 4

Hidden Lake at Logan Pass

Given it’s day 4, we decided to take it a bit easier today. We then got breakfast at the Columbia Falls branch of Montana Coffee Traders first before heading for the park. Since it was a later start, we thought that taking the shuttle would be better than finding parking, and that it shouldn’t be so bad since it is a Monday.

We were wrong.

I saw this bear get agitated so many times in an informational video

Turns out, much like the St. Mary Visitors Center, the Apgar Visitor Center parking lot was full of people with the same idea as well. The shuttles were also just that - shuttles - so they could hold maybe 25 people at max safely. We had a near 40 minute wait to get on the bus, and a required transfer at Avalanche to a smaller shuttle of maybe max 16 people since the roads are too windy and narrow. At least as of now, it’s probably a better bet to just get to the park earlier if you’re aiming for the popular spots (which….makes sense, but sleeping in is nice.)

me, in moab: wow hiking in sand sucks. montana: hold my beer

Hideen Lake Trail also starts from Logan Pass. It starts witha boardwalk before making it up a small ridge. When we came in early July, there were still substantial parts of the trail covered in snow. Turns out, snow is slippery, and hiking up snow is Not The Most Fun. Hidden Lake also had a consistent stream of people going to and from, especially as it is relatively short and accessible compared to many of the other longer outings.

for a second I thought goats molt instead of shedding their wool and I had a moment of confusion

We passed by a family of mountain goats who looked as us with a sort of boredom. I guess it is people-watching, by nature.

the only form of ‘kid’ that is cute

At just over a mile and a quarter, you’ll reach the outlook for Hidden Lake. Immediately, we’re awed by not just the lake, but also Bearhat Mountain in the back. Unfortunately, the trail from the overlook to the lake was closed due to bears hunting for fish in the streams nearby.

is it still hidden if everyone knows about it

On the way back we saw a marmot. Hello marmot.

not a marmot

Hidden Lake Trail @ Glacier National Park
Review Relatively short and relatively easy. The hike itself isn’t that memorable (other than so many mountain goats), but the view is quite good! The crowds, not so much.
What to Expect Not difficult, but you may have to trek a bit across smaller snowfields. Since you're so high up, be prepared for rapid changes in weather as well as high winds. There isn't cover for most of the trail.
Notes Bears like to hunt for fish here, so the area may be closed. Check with rangers for trail conditions. Arrive early in the morning if you want to find parking and avoid the crowds.
Verdict: 4/5 — Would be a 5 if not for the extreme number of people coming here.

Avalanche and the Trail of the Cedars

After another long wait to get on the shuttle, as well as a long wait to transfer at Avalanche (seems like a reoccuring motif for the day), we made our way back to Apgar. There were two issues that messed with the shuttle schedules:

  1. Someone drove off a cliff into a ravine on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, so it was temporarily closed to tow the car out.
  2. A kid ran ahead of their hiking group at Avalanche but got lost somewhere on the way down. Really doesn’t help that there is no cell signal in most of the park. (This is also why there should always be a plan in place in case groups get separated.)

walking along the boardwalk in avalanche

We then drove back to Avalanche to walk the Trail of the Cedars, as it was getting closer to sunset with all the transit time involved. More of an interpretive stroll rather than an actual hike, most of the walk winds next to Avalanche Creek through the cedars (wow, surprise). It was actually very serene and calming - a different kind of feel from Hidden Lake earlier in the day. While there were not expansive landscape views, the forest is also quite beautiful in itself. There is also a neat ravine that Avalanche Creek flows through at the furthest end of the loop.

the ravine! apparently it’s about a mile and a half to avalanche lake from here, and supposedly well worth doing.

On the way back to our hotel, we stopped quickly at Lake MacDonald to admire sunset.

golden hour is good civilization

Trail of the Cedars (Avalanche Trail) @ Glacier National Park
Review A short, one mile, accessible loop through the forest along Avalanche Creek. While it is easy and doesn’t have views, it’s still a nice walk that is worth doing. You can hike up to Avalanche Lake if you want a bit more of a challenge.
What to Expect Flat and graded trail for the most part. It's a pretty accessible trail for people.
Notes Parking at Avalanche for most of the day can be ridiculously difficult, coming in second after Logan Pass. Either arrive early or in the late afternoon.
Verdict: 5/5 — Read the poems on the trail as you walk through the forest.

Food

me: “I’ll have a breakfast burrito please.” staff: “of course, here you go” me: “wow this is large” staff: “of course, it’s montana sized”

Montana Coffee Traders @ Columbia Falls, MT
30 9th St W, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Review Good coffee AND good food? Heck yeah. They also have various local goods for you to get as souvenirs.
Verdict: 5/5 — Heckin delicious.

Day 5

Day 5 and a sample itinerary can be found here!