This is a Hike Report. However, this trial is runable as well! Glacier National Park discourages trail running, but I saw plenty of runners on my trips there. I recommend carrying bear spray, being aware of your surroundings, and being courteous to the hikers on the trails.
This post is copied over and updated from my old Steemit blog. My husband and I did a summer hike on the 11-mile highline trail in Glacier National Park. This hike starts at the summit of Logan Pass on the Going to the Sun Road and runs to the Loop, a popular parking and scenic area below. We parked at the Loop and took the park bus to Logan Pass. This is one of the more popular trails in the park, but many people only venture a few miles down it. We hiked the entire length.
At the start is a narrow section with a drop off to the road below. There is a guide chain to hold onto. This section is not too long. However, a few years ago, a hiker got trapped by a bear on it and had to scramble below the trail off of the drop off! It looks scarier in photos than it really it.
From there, most of the hike is impressive views. While there is some climbing, since it starts high, much of the trail is flat or downhill. I really want to go back and run this sometime.
There is no lack of scenery. The views of the park are amazing. this trail probably has the best expansive views of the park.
Wildflowers are in abundance during summer, even into late summer.
As are animals, such as Mountain Goats. This one has a tracking collar for research purposes. We saw many,many goats the entire trip.
Cairns are common across rock fields. This one held an extra detail.
Marmots are common this high as well. Do not leave a pack sitting around near marmots. They will chew into it rather quickly. They are curious creatures and end to pose for photos fairly well.
The landscape offers varying features as you descend. Including this rockier area that had some small pines.
Waterfalls and water crossings are typical in the spring and summer. They are created by snow melt and dry up more in the fall. The first time I was at Glacier was earlier in the year and there were waterfalls coming down onto the road.
As we descended, deer became more common, especially in the early evening hours. We started up an overlook that would look over Grinnell glacier, but we were losing daylight and had to turn back in order to get back before dark. Actually, we didn’t quite make it. We were hiking out just after dark.
The views never really stop.
You can run or hike the Highline trail from the opening of the Going to the Sun Road in late June (usually around June 21) until its closure in the fall (usually in early October). But always first check the trail conditions and bear warnings for closures.
I hope you enjoyed my photo tour of the Glacier National Park Highline Trail. I did multiple hikes in the park and will be posting them as part of my Glacier Park Photo Tour Series.
Magnificent view and your photos captured it well