GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MT

  With glacier-capped mountains, dazzling lakes, and some of the most exciting hiking trails in the country, it’s no wonder Glacier National Park is called the “Crown of the Continent.” While you’ll see breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife, Glacier National Park is experiencing the devastating effects of climate change. Back when the park opened in 1910 there were around 100 glaciers within the park’s boundaries. Now, there are less than 25 glaciers remaining. 

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1Kalispell - St Mary & Virginia Falls - St Mary Village, East Glacier NP:
Distance: ~74 miles (118km), Elevation: 4,500’ (1,372m)

You will be met by our guides at Glacier International Airport in Kalispell. With a brief stop for coffee and lunch at Montana Coffee Traders, we’ll head to West Glacier to begin our journey through the park. Our drive will take us on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the best scenic drives in the United States. Along the way, you get jaw-dropping views from the overlooks as the road twists and turns through the mountains. We will drive over Logan Pass at 6,646 feet (2,026 meters) then start our drop down into East Glacier. With a stop at St. Mary and Virginia Falls trail to stretch our legs and a short hike to enjoy the lake views with St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls stealing the show. Back on the road, we continue our drive along St Mary Lake arriving at our home for the next six days, St Mary Village, at the East gate of Glacier National Park. As our day turns to evening, we take a short walk to the Snowgoose Grille for the first of five group dinners.

Day 2 

Grinnell Glacier + Lake Josephine Loop; Many Glacier Valley, East Glacier NP:

Distance: ~12 miles (20km), Elevation Gain: 3,123′ (982m)

We start our day with a drive into Many Glacier for an early breakfast. This is a gorgeous area of the park. Numerous trails start here, and this is one of the best places to see wildlife in Glacier National Park. This is an extremely popular hike in the Many Glacier area, which is why we get an early start to beat the crowds. This spectacular trail visits the famous Grinnell glacier that sits just below the Continental Divide. On our return we will head around Lake Josephine on our way back to Many Glacier Hotel. The trail passes through wooded and open areas that offer outstanding views of the lake and surrounding mountains offers stunning views of Angel Wing, the Garden Wall, The Salamander and Grinnell Falls plummeting towards Grinnell Lake.

Day 3 

Ptarmigan Tunnel - Iceberg Lake Loop, East Glacier NP

Distance: ~17 miles (27km), Elevation Gain: 3,002′ (915m)

We head back into Many Glacier for breakfast we head on to Swiftcurrent Motor Inn at the end of the road to begin our hike up to Ptarmigan Tunnel and Iceberg Lake. 

Ptarmigan Tunnel is a roughly 250-foot-long tunnel that cuts straight through the mountains, enabling hikers to reach the other side without the need to scramble over Red Gap. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), It connects the Many Glacier area with the Belly River Valley. This hike takes you up a steep climb through forest to the tunnel. After hiking all morning in the Many Glacier Valley, walking to the other side of the tunnel is like walking into another world.

The hike to Iceberg Lake begins on our return from Ptarmigan Tunnel to the Ptarmigan Trail junction. Iceberg Lake is named for the icebergs that float in the lake year-round. The lake is in the shadow of Mount Wilbur, the 9,321' (2841m) dominating feature towards the west, and gets very little sun, keeping the water cold enough for icebergs.

The Many Glacier area, especially along the Ptarmigan Trail corridor, is in prime bear habitat. The first mile or so past the connector is a haven for grizzly bears. It's extremely important for hikers to make a lot of noise, carry bear spray, and hike in groups in this area. As a result of its location, hiking trails in the Many Glacier area are frequently closed due to bear activity. 

Day 4 

Cracker Lake, East Glacier NP:

Distance: 14 miles (23km), Elevation Gain: 1,400′ (427m)

Cracker Lake in the Many Glacier area, has the most magnificent turquoise color you'll ever see and must be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The lake is nestled below the Siyeh Glacier and surrounded by mountains on all sides. The trailhead starts at the Many Glacier Hotel. The first 2 miles can be very mucky depending on weather and horses. After the junction to Cracker Lake, there are several creek crossings and log footbridges along with beautiful scenery the entire way. If it were possible to ignore the scenery of the surrounding mountains, it would still be well worth the hike just to see the amazing color of the lake. We will stop at the Many Glacier Hotel for coffee, to relax and enjoy the lake and mountain views before returning to St Mary Village from a wonderful day on the trail.

Day 5 

Highline Trail to Swiftcurrent Trail: Logan Pass, Glacier NP

Distance: 18 miles (29km), Elevation Gain: 2,799 feet (853m)

The Highline Trail is an extremely popular hike, and for good reason. At every step, and every turn, you’ll enjoy spectacular scenery as you traverse along the Continental Divide, also known as the Garden Wall throughout this section of Glacier National Park. With exceptionally beautiful views, excellent opportunities for spotting wildlife and wildflowers, all combine to make this a hike you'll remember the rest of your life.

While this trail lacks crystalline, turquoise waters, tantalizing vistas mixed with plentiful waterfalls offer a stunning display of Montana's beauty. One of the toughest hikes in Glacier, this must-do hike spans the park from Logan Pass Trailhead to the Swiftcurrent Trailhead at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. After climbing Haystack Pass along the Highline Trail, you’ll stop at the Granite Park Chalet, an historic wilderness hotel that is reached only by trail, before crossing the continental divide and summiting Swiftcurrent Pass. The trail then descends into Swiftcurrent Valley on steep switchbacks to the western tip of Bullhead Lake. The route then passes three more named lakes (Swiftcurrent, Redrock, and Fishercap) before winding its way through the Swiftcurrent Creek basin to the trailhead. With awe-inspiring vistas, the Highline Trail to Swiftcurrent Pass Trail will become a favorite hike among the trails we hike during our time in Glacier National Park.

Day 6

Breakfast & Lunch Included:

We will enjoy our last breakfast at the Many Glacier Hotel before heading out. With stops at Lake McDonald, where the rocks are real and every bit as beautiful in person as they are in photos. Lake McDonald, one of the parks main hubs, is the largest lake at, 10 miles long, more than a mile wide, and 472 feet deep at its deepest, in Glacier National Park. Another stop at Montana Coffee Traders for lunch, before heading to Glacier International Airport to say our good-byes. 

Please schedule all homebound flights for after 2 pm.