Gunsight Pass
Glacier National Park
Park Headquarters
PO Box 128
West Glacier, MT 59936
(406) 888-7800
Glacier National Park is located in the U.S. state of Montana, encompassing over 1 million acres of breathtaking wilderness in the Rocky Mountains. It was established in 1910 and is known for its stunning landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and rich history. 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.
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.
- click for a video of our cross-country road trip during the summer of 1998
- click for a podcast Episode 14 about our cross-country road trip in the summer of 1998
- click for a map of our cross-country routes in the summer of 1996 (red line) and 1998 (green line)
- click for a photo journal from this hike to Gunsight Lake & Pass at Glacier National Park
- click for more photos from this backpacking trip in Glacier National Park: July 5, 1998
- click for a Backpacker Log from this hike on the Sperry Chalet Trail: July 5, 1998 (password required)
- click for a Daytimer report from this hike in northwestern Montana: July 5, 1988 (password required)
- click for a park map of Glacier National Park
- click for a trail and profile map of this hike to Gunsight Pass
- click for a topo and profile map of this hike from Going To Sun Road to Lake McDonald (password required)
- click for an article about Gunsight Pass in Backpacker Magazine’s October 2008 and January 2010 issues
- click for more hikes to the Salmo River, Gunsight Pass, Cape Alva, Velma Lake, and Buckskin Pass in July 1998
- click for hikes to Rim Lake, Bradley Lake, Hellroaring Canyon, Fish Lake, and Bench Lake in June 1998
- click for the guidebook Hiking Montana with more hikes in this area
- click for more hikes in the State of Montana