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Winter Walk to Avalanche Lake, Glacier National Park, MT

West Glacier, Montana

Details

Distance

4.6 miles

Elevation Gain

500 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Hunter Day

Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park, MT is the most frequented hiking trail in the entire park. However, in the winter the trail is virtually untouched. A quick 4 mile hike from departure to return with little elevation gain it is an easy hike with incredible scenery throughout and breathtaking Avalanche Lake at the end.

We started the adventure by entering the West Glacier Park entrance and followed the going to the sun road for about 10 miles. The parking lot for Avalanche lake is clearly marked and is the end of the Going to the Sun road during the winter months. The biggest benefit of going in the winter is the ample amounts of parking as compared to the summer months. About 1/4 mile from the parking lot on the Trail of the Cedars trail you can stand on a footbridge that straddles Avalanche creek and gives you a great view of Avalanche Creek Gorge. A short little climb puts you on top of the gorge and the Avalanche Lake trail begins. The trail follows Avalanche creek for 1 1/2 miles before veering through the heavily wooded part of the trail, however the trail runs parallel to Avalanche creek the entire route. At only 500 feet of elevation gain the trail is very easy for most hikers. A total of 2.3 miles in you will reach the foot of Avalanche Lake and the 8700 ft Bearhat Mountain surrounding the lake. There are plenty of spots to rest and take in the scenery. Arriving for Sunset can provide incredible scenery as the sunset catches the peaks around the lake. Have a snack, take a break, take in the views, snap a photo and make your way back to the trail head.

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Features

Chillin
Fishing
Photography
Snowshoeing
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River
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Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Explore Avalanche Creek

Trail of the Cedars

Avalanche Lake via Trail of Cedars

Bike Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park

Photography on Logan Pass

Hidden Lake Overlook