The Swiftcurrent pass trail is a 6.7 mile trail that goes to the top of Swiftcurrent Pass from the Many Glacier area coming from the east and about a mile past the Granite Chalet coming up The Loop Trail from the west side in Glacier National Park.
For this trip I had wanted to hike the Highline Trail from Logan Pass over Switcurrent Pass to the Swiftcurrent Cabins where we were staying for a total of about 17 miles, but couldn't do that this trip.
The Highline Trail was still closed during our visit this time because there was so much snow this year. The narrow, sketchy part of the trail is snow covered and they have yet to install the chains that run thru that section along the inside wall of the trail above GTTSR.
This year Going to the Sun Road didn't open till July 13 which is one of the latest openings on record. This was due to late spring snowstorms and lots of avalanches in the plowing areas.
GTTSR is a 50 mile road that transverses the park and continental divide and is typically open the last week of June until the beginning of October- weather dependent. The road itself is an amazing engineering feat, especially for the time.
I highly recommend watching the spring plowing videos to see what difficulty clearing the road entails- very interesting for such an amazing road completed and opened July 15, 1933. President Taft signed a bill for Glacier to become the 10th national park in 1910.
Sooooo anyways......we hiked from Many Glacier, past Fishercap (quick peek for moose) to Redrock Lake and falls where dad stayed to fish, past Bullhead Lake to the bottom of the Swiftcurrent headwall, 4.5- 5 miles or so one way.
Beautiful, blue sky day to hike with temps in the mid 70's.
My dad hiked past Redrock Lake to the falls on the far end which are about 1.8 miles one way, 3.6 mile total with some decent inclines. Not bad for 78 eh?!
There was a lot of snow over the winter and a late spring storm that led to flooding around the same time as Yellowstone's flood and made for a lot more water than usual everywhere!
After we had Grandpa safely situated at the falls, Robert and I continued to Bullhead Lake about another 2 miles. Hiking and talking is such great time spent with him and my dad! Talking about everything and anything!
Tons of beargrass and beauty in every direction!
Robert grumbled a little. Tried to get him to hike to the top of Swiftcurrent Pass (6.7 mi one way- mostly uphill) but it wouldn't have been enjoyable for either of us with him complaining like a teenager!
East side hiking is always an adventure ❤️
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