Highline Trail

Glacier National Park, Montana

Drove to the loop parking area on Going To The Sun Road and caught a park shuttle bus up to Logan Pass. Being the height of the tourist season things were really crowded at Logan Pass. I quickly started on the high line trail to the west in the hope of getting away from the throngs. Was mostly successful but still saw lots of tired people in the first few miles. The exposure and sharp drop offs in the first mile keep many away from this trail. The cable along the cliff face isn't really needed, I think it is more of a crutch because of the numbers of people in the Logan Pass area. This year they even had covered the cable with garden hoses so it was easier on the hands of those who grab them. This is also the section of trail where a park visitor captured a great video of another visitor scrambling off the trail because a gris was on the trail. Pretty funny video.

Haystack Butte sits on the south side of the trail 3 miles in. By this point most have turned back for the pass, or are stopping at the saddle where the trail passes along the butte. I decided to have lunch on top. It takes less than an hour to summit. Skirt the cliff bands and then pick a line to the top.

The top is a nice rounded ridge line with a definite high point. Lunch is always better on the top of some mountain. Today was no exception to the rule.

Continuing along the trail views of Granite Park Chalet pop up. Look on the distant ridge towards the left.  This is one of only two remaining chalets from the early days of the park and the Great Northern Railroads influence. Its a 4 mile uphill from the loop or a 7 mile jaunt along the high line from Logan Pass. You have to hike in, no other way to this one.

Just prior to the chalet there is a mile long spur trail that leads up to the ridge where a view of Salamander Glacier and it's melt water lake can be had. In places this trail is steep, and at the top there is a big drop. Every time I have hiked this section of trail I always make it up to view the salamander.

Even I can tell the glacier is lots smaller than in past years. Still a pretty view though. Now I have to figure out a route so I can get on this glacier prior to it being gone.

What used to be a 4 mile downhill stroll through the trees is now an exposed hike through the remains of a burned over forest. At the bottom is a wonderful creek with good tasting water. Just a short way on and I was taking the trail back to the loop and my truck. Took my time and had a nice afternoons hike.