The day hiking category represented the highest percentage of SAR calls. Highline Trail - 11.4mi / 18.4km. Julie Last updated: January 22, 2023 United States 34 Comments. http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/hikingthetrails.htm. It is possible to spend the night here. However, it remains one of our favorite hikes due to its spectacular views and the high chance of seeing wildlife. They are climbing routes and scree fields. The free park shuttle stops at both locations. In fact, locals call bear bells dinner bells, since studies show that they can actually make bears more curious and want to investigate the sound of the bells. There are often some of the first of the Fall/Winter snows at high elevations at that time of year. Since the buses weren't running, we went about 4 miles in and turned around, but I don't think we missed much. Potential risks in Glacier, he said, are just different. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. It's tought to get there given the weather conditions, etc. Twelve miles may sound like a long way to hike, but these miles tick by fast. If you will be visiting the park during the spring and summer months, you will need a timed entry ticket to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road. A climbing partner saw Yarrow fall and went to get help, according to the park service.. Park rangers received the accident report at about 7:45 p.m. and began a search and rescue operation. When we hiked the Highline Trail, we drove from Many Glacier, which was also an hour. By Elizabeth Earl. We also have detailed hiking information about theGrinnell Glacier Trail, another spectacular hike in the park. You can park at either Logan Pass or the Loop. In a statement released late Wednesday, Glacier Park spokeswoman Denise Germann said park dispatchers received a call from a ranger requesting emergency assistance at about 3:40 p.m. And just 3 days after we did this hike, the Highline Trail closed due to increased grizzly bear activity. Sex can't always be determined in the park's list of deaths and missing persons because only initials are used in some of the entries. Avalanches and falling objects, for example, each have claimed nine lives and grizzly bears, 10. There were 143 fatalities, 1,308 people ill or injured and 581 people saved. This route starts at the Logan Pass Visitor Center and ends at the parking lot in the hairpin curve on Going to the Sun Road known as The Loop. However, you can turn around whenever you like. We came across a bear with her cub and a. 96% of travelers recommend this experience. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. $$ - $$$ Quick Bites American Barbecue, $$ - $$$ American Vegetarian Friendly Vegan Options, $$$$ American Bar Vegetarian Friendly. The drive takes about 15 minutes to get to Logan Pass, so the earliest you will start the hike will be just after 9 am. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. It was launched after a five-day search for Jacob Rigby, a park employee who died in 2011 while climbing a remote peak at the south end of the park. In some spots, the trail is only 4 to 6 feet wide. Gabriel says it's often seemingly benign oversights that contribute to trouble, such as forgetting a life vest, not checking the forecast, being unprepared for the difficulty of a hike or setting off into the wilds alone. With only 800 feet of elevation gain over 12 miles, this hike is relatively flat and fast. One thought I had was to show up bright & early to Logan Pass, have my husband drop all of us off, then he could drive back to the Loop parking lot and hope there's other people there driving back to Logan Pass he could catch a ride with, perhaps offer $20 for a ride??? Heres How it Went. By September 2013, five deaths have occurred in the park, including two climbing fatalities, a fall while hiking, a drowning and a fifth involving a man whose new wife allegedly pushed him to his death, bringing the death total over the past 100 years to 260, an average of 2.6 deaths a year. This is an extremely popular trail in Glacier National Park. Updated Thats a great question! In Glacier, those who prepare and work their way up to more complex climbs do well, Gabriel said. Hi Christopher! After hiding for a few minutes, the bear moved on and left McKnight alone. And the worst place to learn how to use basic survival essentials is when a life depends on it. This would require the Loop parking lot to be serviced by the shuttle system. The Highline Trail has not yet opened for the summer because of the snow danger. His body was recovered below the Sun Road at The Loop on July 12, and the suspicious circumstances prompted an investigation by the FBI. Highline and Swiftcurrent Pass Trail. But Kara and I hike fast, so within a few miles, we passed many of the hikers and were almost on our own. This trail traverses the western side of the Continental Divide, the glacially carved ridge that divides our continentss watersheds. Carry bear spray and keep a conversation going with fellow hikers in order to alert bear of your presence. Trailhead: Highline Trail via Logan Pass (6,647 ft.). If you are lucky, you can spot deer, mountain goats, and Bighorn sheep. McEvoy, of Aerie Backcountry Medicine, says the vast majority of injuries and illnesses that occur are relatively minor, such as blisters, scrapes, cuts, contaminated food and water, and also preventable. His body was transferred to the Flathead County coroner and taken to an area mortuary. The park has 175 mountains and 25 named glaciers. Not far past the Chalet is the detour to the Grinnell Glacier overlook. On the right side is a cable attached to the rock wall, there to assist you if you feel like you need something to hold onto. The trail continues to weave in and out of subalpine fir forests. This part of the hike is also called the Garden Wall. Instead, they work all summer to gather a reserve of 30 plus pounds of grass to survive the 9-month winter. Most of the climbing accidents in Glacier don't involve technical climbing using ropes and other equipment. "We have this skewed image sometimes of what's going to get you.". Firstly, thanks for your great and inspiring review of Logan Pass-Many Glacier hike. Of course my husband would be prepared to wear a mask while riding with other people. Of the drowning cases listed in park records, slips on rocks while fishing or trying to cross creeks often are cited. Since we finished earlier than the main crowd, we did not have to wait in line for the shuttle to Logan Pass. A hiker from Richmond, Virginia, was found dead in Montana's Glacier National Park days after she was reported missing, officials said. When you look at national data, young males between the ages of 18 and 21 are a particularly high-risk group, Gabriel said. Use of this site is subject to the Flathead Beacon's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Take advantage of the free park shuttle to get back to your car. The free park shuttle stops at both locations. In July and August, we hike there every Tuesday. Half-Day Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Adventure, Half Day Scenic Float on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, Full Day Whitewater Adventure Trip with Included Lunch, West Glacier & Polebridge Scenic Driving Tour, East Glacier & Two Medicine Scenic Driving Tour, Winter Glacier National Park Scenic Driving Tour, Half Day Whitewater Rafting with Riverside Dinner, Combo: Scenic Drive & 2hr Snowshoeing Tour in Glacier National Park, Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Glacier National Park. Both of these bear sightings were between Granite Park Chalet and the Loop. Roughly three miles from Logan Pass, take a break at the large boulders just before the final climb to Haystack Pass. Jennifer Coleman was reported missing Sept. 1. Tools to make a fire and shelter, and the ability to use them, also should be in the backpack, he adds. The bear had no place to go except down the trail, McKnight told the paper. This part of the hike is a steep downhill walk in and out of a forest. Park officials said the 64-year-old man likely slipped on snow still covering the trail about a mile west of Logan Pass, in the Rim Rock area. At Glacier Guides and Montana Raft, were locals, and we love Glacier National Park with all of our hearts. Privacy Policy | Additional Policies, Explore every corner of Glacier with us. See pictures and our review of Highline Trail. Good luck! This is in addition to the park entry pass, which costs $35 per vehicle and is good for 7 days. Their deaths offer a sobering reminder of the perils involved in off-trail exploration. Persons 20 to 29 made up 21 percent of the total deaths, the largest category, and 77 percent of that age group were men. Learn about lodging, rafting, hiking, fishing, and biking adventures, too. Climbing deaths are not uncommon. Highly recommended! The Highline Trail is a popular hiking trail located in Glacier National Park in Montana, USA. Second, getting there and back is a total hassle. Ive been involved in search and rescue for decades now and something you see time and time again in fatalities and serious accidents is a series of benign errors that when taken into totality lead to catastrophe, Gabriel said. Blake Passmore, author of the illustrated guidebook series Climb Glacier National Park, said inexperienced climbers often underestimate the difficulty level and the amount of time that bagging a given peak requires. My Husband and a 2 others in our party hiked up the 0.6 mile section that overlooks Grinell Glacier. The allure of Glacier Parks peaks captivates experienced and novice climbers alike, and the risks associated with scrambling in the park cannot be overlooked. Granrud, for his part, snapped several photos of the near-miss encounter from a nearby ledge. This definitely varies depending on your hiking speed, how many stops you make, as well as how long your stops are, but for us, hiking the Highline Trail to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook and back took about 8 hours total. His body was transferred to the Flathead County coroner and taken to an area mortuary. MORE GREAT HIKES IN THE NATIONAL PARKS: From hikes to the tallest peaks to beautiful coast trails, read our article about the Best Day Hikes in the US National Parks. At first, the hiking trail was a crowded. Could you please advise if you remember how long the drive is if traveling nonstop from West Glacier to the Logan Pass visitors center? Park rangers said witnesses reported that the man was hiking alone on the Highline Trail, when he slipped and fell. 2023 Flathead Beacon, All Rights Reserved. That includes reaching visitors through warnings, educational information and guidance. However, the first shuttle does not arrive at the Loop until 8:47 am, so you will have to wait quite some time to get to Logan Pass. The hike is not strenuous but if youre nervous about heights you will not be happy here. If you would like a more strenuous hike, continue down the Highline Trail to Granite Park Chalet (15.2 miles out and back), or all the way down to The Loop trailhead (11.8 miles total). I dont have a favorite because they were both very good for different reasons. No pun intended. So, even if you have an early timed entry slot, you might want to enter the park early to make sure you get a parking spot. We parked at Logan Pass, hiked to the Loop, and took the shuttle back to Logan Pass. The lines for the toilet also get long in the morning. A black bear crossed the trail in front of us (keep reading to learn more) and several other hikers told us that they spotted a grizzly bear. "As part of wilderness, you accept the risk on its terms," says Gabriel, noting that 95 percent of Glacier is recommended wilderness. The Pacific Crest Trail Was Going to Be the Hike of Their Lives. Compared to other options at GNP (we much preferred Avalanche Lake and St. Mary's/Victoria Falls earlier in the week), I'd choose something else, or just go 2 miles in and turnaround to get the most out of your time rather than invest a full day. Either way, you cant go wrong. Yarrow was from Wichita, Kansas, and had gotten a summer job with a business in the West Glacier area, according to the statement. To get back to Logan Pass, get in the line for the eastbound shuttle. Another 23 people have died from "falls while hiking" in the park. In the spring of 2012, a volunteer hiker registration program was launched in the Glacier in which visitors are encouraged to fill out a form listing their destination, whether they have medical concerns, emergency contact information, the type of clothing they're wearing and what kind of gear they have. Germann reminded visitors that winter conditions exist in many locations in the high country, including the Logan Pass area. I can't really park at St. Mary's and take that first shuttle as then I have no way to get back to my car lol. In 2012, the bill for search and rescues nationally was $5.1 million, according to the National Park Service. Be aware of bears as there are warning signs everywhere. In early summer beargrass lines the meadow sections of trail. And because it is sedimentary rock for the most part, the rock is crumbly and unstable. Hiking distance covers up to 8 miles with 825 feet elevation change. Overnight hikers typically plan better and are more prepared for sudden turns in the weather or injuries, Phillips says. Thank you in advance. One occurred this year, when a 64-year-old man from Washington hiking alone on the Highline Trail, closed due to snow danger at the time, slipped on snow and fell to his death. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Park officials said the 64-year-old man likely slipped on snow still covering the trail about a mile west of Logan Pass, in the Rim Rock area. Rescues nationally involving hikers on overnight excursions, by comparison, accounted for 9.8 percent of the rescues involving 258 injuries and nine fatalities. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Things to know before you go Best Time to Hike the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park The views are incredible and some of my favorites of the day. This Family Just Hiked The Appalachian Trail With A PreschoolerHeres How You Can, Too, How a New Mining Proposal Could Change Georgias Okefenokee Forever, One of Americas Least-Visited National Parks May Start Requiring Reservations, Dont Fall for These 8 Common Survival Myths. Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. Unfortunately, with the reservation system, people without reservations go in very early, which then takes up the parking that those with a permit would use. The info I have says that it is 1/4 mile to where the ledge is. Sean McKnight of Durham, North Carolina was hiking along the Highline Trail and did not hear warning yells from others in the area, the NY Daily News reports. Its crazy how late things are opening in Glacier NP this summer because of the snow. All of those elements can contribute to an accident.. Larson saw his biggest kill, and . Sounds like people do this sort of thing all the time. If youd like to go on the Highline Trail in Glacier with an interpretive guide, wed love to take you! This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. So we (60+ year old couple) did the same in mid Sep 2019phenominal views on both sides of the pass, but were somewhat dragging the last few miles on the flats heading back to Swiftcurrent Motor Inn where we left our car the previous day. I know that staying in Saint Mary or Babb would be ideal for hiking the Highline trail but so far I havent been able to find lodging there. This summer my family was really hoping to do the Highline Trail, exiting via the Loop Trail (want to end at the loop parking lot & begin at Logan Pass). Since the Highline Trail is located off Going-to-the-Sun Road, everyone who wishes to hike the Highline Trail will need a reservation. Parking: Logan Pass parking lot. Hello, I am planning an Aug trip to GNP and can do one big day hike. "People being aware is always powerful. Cheers, Julie. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. But I did what they tell you do: Be calm, back up and dont be aggressive. Though he was carrying bear spray, he couldnt reach it immediately because it was located at the bottom of his pack. We completed the Highline trail again and decided to do the 4 miles down again rather than backtracking to Logan Pass once we reached the Chalet. The Highline Trail is an extremely popular hike, so do not expect solitude, and be sure to pack your patience. So, we decided to share the love and put together our very own Glacier National Park Insiders Guide. The Dragons Tail is a steep, off-trail climbing route southwest of Reynolds Mountain. The Highline Trail was my fave just bc of the views, I would turn around at Haystack though, but Im not sure what the mileage would be on that. The trail stretches 7.6 miles (12.2 km) from Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet, and continues another 11.9 miles (19.2 km) from there to Fifty Mountain Campground. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best of the Beacon delivered every day to your inbox. WEST GLACIER A Washington state man hiking alone on Glacier National Park's Highline Trail apparently fell to his death Wednesday afternoon. This detour adds 1.6 miles (round trip) onto the hike with 900 feet of elevation gain. If you get there at 7 AM and have a GTTS pass. Is the solution to rent an extra car for the day? This trail wasn't big enough for a hiker and a grizzly bear in Montana's Glacier National Park. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. The hike to Haystack Pass begins from the Highline Trailhead, located across the Going-To-The-Sun Road from the Logan Pass parking lot. Logan Pass has a very large parking lot, a visitor center, a water fountain, and restrooms. OK folks as Todd mentions hiking on a closed trail can EASILY be fatal! Lucas. We arrived this week at Logan Pass to park at 815a, in summer you want to be earlier. Carry at least two liters of water per person! Your email address will not be published. A climber died at Glacier National Park in Montana after falling several hundred feet from a ridge known as the Dragons Tail. Attendance has been lower this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Once here, the views are amazing and its a mostly downhill walk to Granite Park Chalet. We hiked this on an absolutely beautiful day - great weather and we were excited to finish our week on a high note. Jennifer Lutman, a spokeswoman for Glacier Park, said climbing, scrambling and peak bagging are recognized as activities inside the park but are not recommended. Thirty people have died in motor vehicle accidents. We've done this in Grand Teton NP for kayak shuttling and people are usually very open to it, in fact, typically they refuse the money. In 2023, Glacier National Park requires all visitors to get a reservation to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road between May 26 and September 10. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). "Why is that?" Youll pass small waterfalls along the way. The Highline is really a one-way trip and includes a car shuttle at the end. We were warned that because of the abundant huckleberries we needed to be mindful of bears, keep alert and make noise. This makes a great place to take a break and have lunch. . The incident is under investigation by the National Park Service. Alternate route: You can instead start at The Loop (shuttle stop), hike up to the Granite Park Chalet, and then hike an additional 0.8 miles to the beginning of the overlook trail for a total of 6.8 miles. If you look at the statistics of deaths its fairly low, but falls are certainly one of the elements of risk that you accept whenever you go off trail, Cris Coughlin, owner at Glacier Guides, said. There are also some great hiking trails in Two Medicine, but we have not been to this part of the park yet, so Im not very familiar with them, but they do look great in photos. He says the park conducts an orientation to returning employees of the park's major consessionaires that covers safety and preparation for recreating in the park. The Loop is located 7.75 miles down the same road west side of the divide. Hike 7.5 miles on a pleasantly gradual trail to get to the overlook trail. Geographically, it follows along the western side of the Continental Divide. You will still have some company on the trail because other avid hikers also love that quieter time of year and the Fall Colors. Drowning also is the leading cause of death in national parks nationwide, says Newman. Twelve miles may sound like a long way to hike, but these miles tick by fast. . "You always want to have it in the forefront in your mind that turning around could be a good decision could be a great decision," Gabriel said. Headed down the Highline Trail on your own? For the rest of us, there is a very poor shuttle system or taking a chance on parking. There's a new bakery and cafe in Missoula, and another bakery is making a move to downtown. In the summer of 1987, a woman visiting Alaska was crushed by a 1,000-pound chunk of . Charles Fred Huseman, 64, of Packwood, Wash., died June 26 while hiking the Highline Trail, which was closed at the time due to snow hazards. The line can be long so expect to wait for a spot on the shuttle. Going-to-the-Sun Road is a paved, two-lane highway that snakes . Adventure in Glacier with us all year on our social sites! Hikers need to assume individual responsibility for planning their trips, staying safe, and reducing their impact on the park.