Gannett Peak via Glacier Trail

The route begins and ends at the Trail Lake Trailhead after reaching the summit of Gannett Peak. From the trailhead, follow the Glacier Trail southwest. At 0.5 miles, the Lake Louise Trail branches right — stay left on the Glacier Trail. The trail crosses Torrey Creek on a bridge before reaching the Bomber Basin junction at 3.1 miles. Stay left and begin a sustained switchbacking ascent up the west slopes of Arrow Mountain through roughly 30 switchbacks, gaining 2,000' to reach the open alpine plateau. Follow the plateau south towards the start of the alpine lake basin around 9.4 miles. Descend through Burro Flat and pass Phillips Lake at mile 9.7, Double Lake at mile 10.3, and Star Lake at mile 11.5 — all suitable for camp. The trail continues descending through Honeymoon Lake basin, passing by Downs Fork Meadows around 14.7 miles, and Big Meadows before reaching the Ink Wells Trail junction at mile 18.0. Stay right, crossing Klondike Creek at mile 19.7 and Gannett Creek at mile 21.9 — both crossings can be challenging in high water. The trail climbs along Dinwoody Creek through Floyd Wilson Meadows to Tarns Camp, the recommended high camp. On summit day from Tarns Camp, follow Dinwoody Creek to the base of the Dinwoody Glacier and ascend northwest across the glacier, navigating crevasse fields. Around 25.2 miles, cross the bergschrund onto the Gooseneck Glacier and ascend steeply to the summit ridge. The final 200' involves Class 3-4 scrambling on mixed terrain to Gannett Peak's summit at 13,804' and mile 25. Crux: Gannett Peak's summit day requires sustained glacier travel. From Tarns Camp, the route crosses the crevassed Dinwoody Glacier on rope before reaching the bergschrund — the route's primary objective hazard. The bergschrund can range from a walkable snow bridge to a serious technical obstacle that worsens as the season progresses. Above it, steep snow and ice on the Gooseneck Glacier lead to the exposed summit ridge, where Class 3-4 scrambling on mixed terrain completes the final 200' to the top. Crampons, ice axes, a glacier rope, harnesses, and crevasse rescue gear are mandatory. Carefully navigate the descent, glacier, and bergschrund, and return the way you came.