Near Avalanche Trail
Star trails over Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park, Montana.
Near Avalanche Trail
Amazing sunny day at Avalanche Lake with all of the falls flowing.
Near Avalanche Trail
Avalanche Lake.
Near Avalanche Trail
Avalanche Lake gets passed on to the younger generation.
Near Avalanche Trail
Avalanche lake and surrounding falls.

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Hike Trail

Avalanche Trail

4.3 (26 Ratings)
This route among the cool cedar and hemlock forest is a great place for peace and solitude.
8.1
mi
Distance
1,144
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
Family FriendlyLess CrowdedSpring

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
8.1mi
Distance
1,144ft
Elevation Gain
512ft
Elevation Loss
20%
Max Grade
3,968ft
High Point
3,217ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
Right after starting on the Gunsight Pass trail, the Avalanche Trail breaks off to the left, around a series of horse corrals. This trail parallels the Going-to-the-Sun Road amongst an incredible Pacific rainforest of cedar and hemlock. The dark canopy looms tall overhead while little feeder streams flow over moss. The forest is airy and open. While the road is nearby, you still have the feeling of being out in the wilderness. Along the way, old, concrete posts denote telephone lines laid down many years ago, giving you a glimpse of the past. After a little over 5.5 miles, the quiet trail intersects the popular Avalanche Lake trail and the crowds of Glacier National Park. This trail is nice to travel in early spring before the high country opens up, and is also a cool trip on hot summer days. This content was created by Jake Bramante of Hike 734. Visit https://www.hike734.com for more expert Glacier content and maps that help you decide which trail to hike.

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Jake Bramante