Glacier National Park Hiking and Backpacking Articles

Glacier National Park Guide: Hiking and Backpacking

Camp at Atlantic Creek and Red Eagle Lake on a shuttle trek between CutBank and St. Mary that takes you over the Triple Divide Pass. Rain falling on nearby Triple Divide Peak flows to the Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico, and Hudson Bay.
The nearly 25-mile Ptarmigan-Redgap loop shows off the spectacular peaks of the Many Glacier area, as well as the Old Sun Glacier and the Ptarmigan Tunnel, a triumph of dynamite over mountain. It's a short road walk from the east trailhead at Apikuni Falls back to the Swiftcurrent Lodge starting point.
A trek through the Waterton Valley and across the Highline Trail is pure, unadulterated Glacier. Take the ferry from Waterton to the ranger station at Goat Haunt. From there, hike a strenuous 30 miles deep into the park's interior and high atop its crown to the Logan Pass Visitor Center.
The Nyack-Coal Creek loop explores the park's underutilized southern portion, threading its way through the Nyack wilderness camping zone. A number of challenging fords make this a trek for later in the season when water levels are low.

By Travel Expert: Brian Kevin

The new Glacier Park shuttle system makes for convenient trailhead access along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Plus, it means that day hikes don't have to mean loops and out-and-backs. Check with the park for schedules.
Take the 9.8-mile, round-trip hike to Iceberg Lake from the Swiftcurrent Inn near Many Glacier. The bluest of alpine lakes at trail’s end may or may not have icebergs, depending on the season.
The Quartz Lake loop from Bowman Lake Campground leads almost 13 miles from Bowman Campground in the northwest around and between the crystalline Lower, Middle, and Upper Quartz Lakes.
If you don't mind crowds, follow the boardwalk from the Logan Pass Visitor Center one and a half miles to the Hidden Lake Overlook. Then ditch the crowds and head another 1.5 miles down to the lake itself. Watch for exhibitionist mountain goats.
A 6.8-mile out-and-back along McDonald Creek shows off an old pack trail, peaceful rivers, exploding whitewater, and a couple of intense waterfalls.

By Travel Expert: Brian Kevin

The Gear You Need: Mountain Trekking in Peru
Save for dense snow cover and crampon-required icefields, if you're looking to outfit yourself for trekking in places like the Peruvian Andes, we've got the goods.

Mountain Hardwear's Maestro Backpack
New innovation creates the ability for days of comfortable backcountry mobility.

Pappa's Got a Brand-New Bag—Several, In Fact
When it comes to carrying your goods, does there really need to be such a distinction between traveling for business and for pleasure? When you're on a business trip, don't you sneak away for at least a little fun? We do. And that's why a functional and fashionable travel bag is essential. Here's a look at four of our favorites.