Highline to The Loop

<p>The Highline to the Loop begins at the Logan Pass Visitor Center (6,646') and ends at The Loop trailhead on Going-to-the-Sun Road, 11.8 miles to the northwest. Cross Going-to-the-Sun Road from the visitor center to the signed Highline Trail trailhead. The trail heads northwest across open meadow then onto a cliff traverse along the Garden Wall. A fixed cable is bolted to the cliff face for approximately 0.2 miles where the wall drops sheer below — the ledge is wide but the exposure is real. Beyond the cliffs the route opens onto steep grassy slopes with uninterrupted views west into the McDonald Creek valley.<p> <p>At 2.5 miles the trail reaches Big Bend and a boulder field, then climbs via switchbacks over a saddle on the east flank of Haystack Butte — the high point of the route at approximately 7,050'. From the saddle, the trail descends gradually on its traverse to Granite Park Chalet at 7.6 miles, where water and restrooms are available seasonally.<p> <p>An optional detour leaves right on the Garden Wall Trail approximately one mile before the chalet, climbing sharply for a mile to an overlook of Salamander and Grinnell Glaciers. From the chalet, turn left on the Granite Park Trail and descend 4.2 miles to The Loop. The descent passes through an open west-facing burn area that receives full afternoon sun — carry water for this section. The final mile switchbacks steeply to The Loop trailhead on Going-to-the-Sun Road.<p>

The Granite Park Chalet was built by the Great Northern Railroad and served as a stop for visitors traveling through the park on horseback.