Located at the head of a canyon, the waters of cracker lake are an opaque turquoise from rock flour silt originating from siyeh glacier. Each yellow icon represents point of interest, the green icons a popular hiking trail and the red icons one of our lodging properties. Glacier national park, as the name suggests, was carved by glaciers from the last ice age. Three tent sites sit on a grassy slope above the lakes southeastern shore, offering uninterrupted views of the entire cirque.
Glacier national park glacier park hikes cracker lake. For specific trail descriptions and other planning tools, visit glaciers nonprofit partner, the glacier national park conservancy. The cracker lake trailhead is located at the many glacier hotel parking lot south end of the parking lot, and this popular glacier park hike to cracker lake is 6. Opening sooner are the hikes to red rock falls, iceberg lake, apikuni falls, and cracker lake. As a significant portion of the trail is shared with horse parties on bad days its pretty covered in horse poo and flies. Trail ride to cracker lake, glacier national park, mt.
The park encompasses over 1 million acres 4,000 km 2 and includes parts of two mountain ranges subranges of the rocky mountains, over named lakes, more than 1,000 different species of plants. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from may until october. Its hard to say what youll notice first when you reach glaciers cracker lakethe aquablue water or the imposing, gray cliffs that angle thousands of feet upward to the point of 10,003foot mt. The national park service is currently engaged in fisheries research to assess the status of native fish in the park and to develop programs to protect and enhance native fish populations. The best things to see in glacier national park page 5. The many glacier map includes cracker lake, waterton lakes national park, goat haunt, belly river and more. Many glacier area, cracker lake, waterton lakes national park, goat haunt, belly river, upper kintla lake, continental divide trail. Click on the arrow in the maps top left corner to toggle between the brochure map and the interactive park tiles map. Cracker lake hike glacier national park tripadvisor. National park national glacier park wardenranger station infrequently staffed unpaved road trail continental divide wardenranger station food service and lodging boat tourrentals backcountry campground lookout tower primitive campground campground selfguiding trail wheelchairaccessible trail riding stable picnic area glacier distance. Many glacier area, cracker lake, waterton lakes national park, goat haunt, belly river, upper kintla lake, continental divide trail, pacific northwest trail and more. Map and campsite list use this backcountry campground map and campground information to help plan your trip.
Cracker lake campground with an interactive map and directions. Dont be fooled by its deep blue tropicallooking color it is extremely cold. Home day hiking in glacier national park cracker lake you wont believe your eyes when you see the mint green color of cracker lake surrounded by 3,000 foot cliffs. The cracker lake trailhead begins from eastern shore of swiftcurrent lake, 20 miles from st. The ranking is most bang for your buck starting with the classic highline trail. Glacier adventure guides in whitefish offers guided snowshoeing, crosscountry skiing, and winter camping inside the national park. The hike to and from cracker lake is a long one, but worth it it can be broken up into two days by utilizing the campground with a permit. The hike to cracker lake in glacier national park begins from the piegan pass cracker lake trailhead, located at the south end of the parking lot above the many glacier hotel. For an overnight trip, check out backpack to cracker lake.
Backpacking cracker lake in glacier national park takes the beauty of this park to a higher level. Cracker lake trail winds around the base of allen mountain at 0. Cracker lake trail hike to cracker lake, glacier naitonal park. The remaining glaciers throughout the park have significantly retreated over recent years and continue to be monitored for climate change research. Many glacier is probably my favorite section of the park for its intense stunning beauty and glacial colored lakes. The views and color of the unique glacier lake located at the back of a canyon is a wonderful way to get away from civilization for a night. The parking lot is up behind the many glacier hotel, there are a lot of parking spots but it fills up quickly so it is best to get there early. Dont miss out on the best hikes in glacier national park. Is this a place or activity you would suggest for families with kids.
The trail follow west bank of canyon creek, ascending moderately 2. Cracker lake is located in the many glacier region of the park, and it ranks among most peoples top 10 hikes to do in glacier national park. Best hiking trails in glacier national park montana gaia gps. This is a convenient one day backpacking trip or day hike. Please use the interactive map and links below to enhance your visit to glacier national park, waterton lakes national park and whitefish, montana. Find information about traveling throughout the park. The 6 best hikes in glacier national park the active times. Varied terrain from dense forests to dry, rocky slopes to alpine meadows, it never gets old. Details for the hike to cracker lake in glacier national park. The one million acre park is located in the state of montana and the canadian provinces of british columbia and alberta. The hike to and from cracker lake is a long one, but worth it it can be broken up into two days by utilizing the. Hiking the cracker lake trail in glacier national park. Below are 88 day hikes that ive identified and ranked.
Feb 14, 2017 its hard to say what youll notice first when you reach glaciers cracker lakethe aquablue water or the imposing, gray cliffs that angle thousands of feet upward to the point of 10,003foot mt. Washington to glacier national park, who plan on entering. Those with bad knees will find it a brief challenge. By 1910, when glacier national park was finally formed, only a small number of these consolidated claims remained. The 10 closest hotels to cracker lake hike tripadvisor. One of the most popular hikes in the park is the trek to grinnell glacier. Backpacking cracker lake glacier national park nurse to. Cracker lake hike glacier national park 2020 all you. Please consult government travel advisories before. Nov 03, 2016 click on the arrow in the map s top left corner to toggle between the brochure map and the interactive park tiles map. Glacier national park webcams glacier national park u. This is the best map for showing all of glaciers trails, though it doesnt have mileages so download the free backcountry trail map in the section below. Grinnell glacier trailhead or many glacier hotel b 3. Cracker lake truly portrays the uniqueness of glacier national park.
National park national glacier park visitor reception centre apgar visitor center saint mary visitor center logan pass visitor center 26mi 42km 10mi 16km 22mi 35km 14mi 22km 28mi 11mi 45km 18km 1mi 1. The glacier sectional series maps have a scale of 1. Feb 01, 2015 photo montage of our 6mile overnight backpack from lake sherburne to cracker lake in the many glacier region of the glacier national park. To continue on towards cracker lake hikers should turn left at this junction. Includes trail description, key features, photos, map and elevation profile. The intrepid alpine lake swimmer may choose to brave the frigid waters of cracker lake. As a significant portion of the trail is shared with horse parties on. The cracker lake trailhead begins from eastern shore of swiftcurrent lake, 20.
Specifically, the major claims included the bulls head group operated by the josephine copper mining and smelting company in the. Many glacier hotel is a historic hotel located on the east shore of swiftcurrent lake in glacier national park in the u. You simply cannot visit glacier national park without doing at least one hike. Camped on the beautiful blue cracker lake surrounded by. The best things to see in glacier national park page 5 of. Anyways, the feature of this post is the cracker lake trail, an outandback hike to the titular. It is the only steep section on the trail, but be ready for it on the return. The northwestern corner of north america holds some of the most indescribable natural wonders on the continent.
Cracker lake in glacier national park get inspired everyday. For specific trail descriptions and other planning tools, visit glacier s nonprofit partner, the glacier national park conservancy. Cracker lake trail is a 12 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail. Milky white streams, opaque turquoise lakes, and forests line the ushaped valleys throughout the park with towering peaks, cirques, and aretes above, some. To the south of cracker lake lies mount siyeh which rises more than 4,000 feet 1,200 m above the lake.
Cracker lake hike glacier national park 2020 all you need. Cracker lake in glacier national park cracker lake is located in the many glacier region of the park, and it ranks among most peoples top 10 hikes to do in glacier national park. National park national glacier park visitor reception centre apgar visitor center saint mary visitor center. Glacier national park cracker lake this will be my second glacier post in a row, but to be fair the national park is full of awesome hikes id say its justified. Park entrance waterton park see detail map above lone mtn 7940ft 2420m anderson peak 8852ft 2698m mount blakiston 9581ft. One of the most beautiful hikes in glacier national park by riley the parks expert march 12, 2018 march 30, 2020 my favorite thing about the cracker lake trail is i hardly saw another human being.
National park national glacier park wardenranger station infrequently staffed unpaved road trail. Cracker lake campground from mapcarta, the free map. Backpacking cracker lake in glacier national park a step by step guide. During our 3day stay in glacier, we chose to hike the cracker lake trail.
Cracker lake back country camping glacier national. Cracker lake trail is a 12 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near babb, montana that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Glacier national park is an american national park located in northwestern montana, on the canadaunited states border, adjacent to the canadian provinces of alberta and british columbia. Glacier national park was established in 1910 to preserve the natural beauty of the wild lands for. Visit for more expert glacier content and maps that help you decide which trail to hike. Cracker lake hike to cracker lake in glacier national park. To limit the spread of the coronavirus, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. From the cerulean blue waters of cracker lake to the absolutely massive rock face of siyeh. Cracker lake is a gorgeous lake, but the trail into the lake is somewhat unimpressive on good days. Cracker lake hiking trail, swiftcurrent, montana hiking project. Cracker lake is located in glacier national park, in the u. Cracker lake also was the site of mining activity in the past, and some of the ruins are still there today.
Cracker lake cataract creek baring falls florence falls lake josephine bullhead lake kennedy lake poia. Youll get off the beaten path as cracker lake is significantly less busy than iceberg lake. Ensuring the future survival of glacier national park s unique native fishes for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations is a key mandate of the. As cracker lake is far removed from the busier places of glacier national park, be extra bear aware when making this excursion. The trail leaves from the south side of the parking lot and. Cracker lake, montana 59417, usa, glacier national park, united states contribute.
Cracker lake back country camping glacier national park. Cracker lake hike glacier national park 2020 all you need to. Photo montage of our 6mile overnight backpack from lake sherburne to cracker lake in the many glacier region of the glacier national park. The trailhead is behind the swiftcurrent motor inn in the many glacier section of glacier national park. The trailhead for cracker lake leaves from the many glacier parking lot. A version of this article originally appeared in the national. You might find yourself alone with your fellow backpackers, free to take in the bewildering views of nature on your own. Cracker lake hike in glacier national park trekkinglacier. If you want a single trail map that covers the entire park, the national geographic trails illustrated map is probably your top choice. Walk the swiftcurrent nature trail, glacier national park. Cracker lake cataract creek baring falls florence falls lake josephine bullhead lake kennedy lake poia lake swiftcurrent ridge lake apikuni falls redrock falls. Jul 08, 2019 you simply cannot visit glacier national park without doing at least one hike.
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