Logan Pass (elevation 6,646 ft (2,026 m)) is located along the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park, in the U.S. state of Montana. It is the highest point on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
The Logan Pass Visitor Center is open during the summer season just east of the pass. The pass is closed during the winter due to avalanche hazards and the virtual impossibility of keeping the Going-to-the-Sun Road open, yet is generally open from the end of May until mid October.
The pass is an extremely popular starting point for hiking and backpacking trips, and the parking lot is generally full between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Consider visiting this destination by using the free shuttles to avoid limited parking, or plan to visit early or late in the day if possible. Early morning light on the mountains provides excellent photographs and the chances to see wildlife are greater before the crowds arrive, although visitors are almost guaranteed to spot a mountain goat at anytime as these animals have become adjusted to summertime human visitation. Two popular trails are the 11.8 mile roundtrip “Highline Trail” (which is a difficult strenuous trail that heads north along the west side of the continental divide, through an area known as the Garden Wall due to the proliferation of wildflowers which grow there during the summer), and the 2.7 mile roundtrip “Hidden Lake Nature Trail” (which is an easy to moderate hike that heads to the “Hidden Lake Overlook” where you’ll find outstanding panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains). All the photos in this post were taken from the “Hidden Lake Nature Trail”.
At one point I was so caught up viewing and photographing the mountain scenery that I didn’t notice the above pictured little mountain goat following me. As I turned to continue my hike, my brother called out “Watch your step”. I looked down and saw my new little buddy standing beside me and looking up at me with big puppy dog eyes. As tempted as I was to pet this cute little mountain goat, mama mountain goat was grazing nearby and occasionally glanced over to keep a watchful eye on her curious little “kid”.
As previously mentioned, the “Hidden Lake Nature Trail” at Logan Pass is an easy to moderate hike and a “must do” when visiting Glacier National Park. Viewing wildflowers, wildlife (like deer, mountain goats, big horn sheep, groundhogs like the one posing in the photo below),
and mountain scenery,
will provide you with memories that you will cherish forever.
Brings back some wonderful memories! The Going to the Sun Road is one of North America’s most spectacular drives. But it does get very crowded in the summer, so take your time and drink in that beautiful scenery!
Glacier NP joins Waterton NP in Canada to form an International Peace Park and these two parks together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Awesome pictures. I was in Waterton Park in the early 80s with work in early May before the season opened. The town site had dozens of mountain sheep everywhere. It was so beautiful and peaceful. We were about the only people other then residents there. Must certainly do another trip down that way and go across into Glacier Park as well. Thanks.