GUNSIGHT PASS

LOCATION: Northwest Montana
HIKE STARTS: Going To The Sun Road
HIKE ENDS: Lake McDonald
TOTAL DISTANCE: 19.7 Miles
HIKE TYPE: One Way, Shuttle Hike
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Difficult
TRAILS USED: Gunsight Pass, Sperry, Sperry Chalet Trails
TRAIL TRAFFIC: Moderate
TRIP TYPE: Overnight to Multi-Day Hike

MANAGEMENT:

Glacier National Park
Park Headquarters
PO Box 128
West Glacier, MT 59936
(406) 888-7800 

HIGHLIGHTS: Glacier preserves over 1,000,000 acres of forests, alpine meadows, and lakes. Its diverse habitats are home to over 70 species of mammals and over 260 species of birds. The spectacular glaciated landscape is a hikers paradise containing 700 miles of maintained trails that lead deep into one of the largest intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states. The park contains over 350 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and six National Historic Landmarks. In 1932 Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Park, in Canada, were designated Wateron-Glacier International Peace Park. This designation celebrates the longstanding peace and friendship between our two nations. Glacier and Waterton Lakes have both been designated as Biosphere Reserves and together were recognized, in 1995, as a World Heritage Site.

The trail across Gunsight Pass can be hiked in either direction and Glacier National Park has a transit system that makes it easy to catch a ride between trailheads so you don’t have to backtrack to your car. This trip has a lot to offer: There are two stunning alpine lakes, a windy mountain pass (with a cabin shelter), and plenty of wildlife (and trout). It’s a popular route in the park, so make sure you get your reservations in advance if possible. Allow three days if you plan to do the entire route.

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MORE DETAILS

bullet click to see trail photos from this in Glacier National Park: July 5, 1998
bullet click to read a trail tale from this backpacking trip to Gunsight Lake: July 5, 1998
bullet click to view a detailed trip report from this climb across Gunsight Pass: July 5, 1998* (password required)
bullet click to view a backpacker log report for this trip using the Sperry Chalet Trail: July 5, 1998
bullet click to view maps: area map, detailed map* (password required), park map, profile map
bullet check Backpacker Magazine for an article that ran on Gunsight Pass in their October 2008 issue
bullet check Backpacker Magazine for an article that ran on Gunsight Pass in their January 2010 issue
bullet click here to add your hike, trip report, or feedback for this destination
bullet note, the * indicates these items are not linked but coming soon

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