Same with Logan Pass. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a hiker's paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness and solitude. It boasts dozens of stunning trails. The lot is massive but will fill up on busy summer weekends. Clip in for a multiday cycling adventure, pedal up the awe-inspiring Going-to-the-Sun Road, shred a single-track mountain biking trail or find a family-friendly path like the Route of the Hiawatha or the Bitterroot Trail. Luckily, we discovered this fun little hike that’s less than an hour drive from our home: St. Mary’s glacier. but you can set up anywhere you’d like along the trail. our Subi Outback has a 7” diff clearance and we’re able to drive about a 1/4th of the way up, then walk the rest to our campsite. You’ll get a taste of the mountains, lake, glacier, snow, postcard like trees, and wildflowers, all at the same time. The Saint Mary’s Glacier trailhead is just an hour away from Denver and must be on your list if you are on a visit there. This page describes the best day hikes I found within the park. Distance – 20.6 miles 5. The name is a bit misleading, as this super popular hike doesn’t involve a glacier at all. You can’t go hiking near Denver and not see St Mary’s Glacier. As others have said keep going until you can go no further. St. Mary Campground. You’ll get a chance to see three lakes and waterfall on the way up. Grinnell Glacier. But, upon reaching St. Mary’s Lake and Glacier, we were thrilled! Sun Point Nature Trail. So worth the trek - the base of the glacier has water running down the base of the hill and small little waterfalls everywhere. For a round-trip total of two hours of driving and 1.8 miles (2.9 km) of hiking, you can see a pretty subalpine lake, bristlecone pines, and stand on a glacier. From here, take I-70 West towards Grand Junction for 23.3 miles. Trailhead: The trailhead for Gunsight Pass is on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, between St. Mary Lake and Logan Pass, at a turnout shared by the overlook for Jackson Glacier. Enjoy this day hike to the foot of one of the park’s most iconic glaciers, where the … While the snowpack here has lingered for a long time, this snowfield isn’t altering the landscape like a glacier would. You can’t go hiking near Denver and not see St Mary’s Glacier. From St Mary's take #7020 to Kingston Peak, this trail will then lead you back to #175. Home for the night with the dog – Photo credit: Glacier Park Collection by Pursuit St. Mary near the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The Going-to-the-Sun Road audio tour has information about each shuttle stop. You can also stay in the village of St. Mary, just a few minutes drive from the eastern end of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Hiking to St. Mary’s Glacier: trail beta We enjoyed meals at Rising Sun Pizza, the lodge at St. Mary, and the Whistle Stop Cafe. St Mary’s Glacier. Trails: We parked just past #273 then road up the trail. Things to do near St. Mary in the East Glacier area of Montana Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Best Easy day hikes Hidden Lake Overlook and Lake. 103 reviews of St Mary's Glacier "What a great hike. The glacier - technically a large perennial snowfield - is a popular year-round destination open to hiking, skiing, glissading, climbing and sledding. Going-to-the-Sun Road & St. Mary. Saint Mary's Glacier (or Saint Marys) is a semi-permanent snowfield located in Arapaho National Forest in the U.S. state of Colorado. The short, popular hike features mountain views and an ascent up the lovely Virginia Creek Valley, passing multiple smaller cascades before reaching impressive Virginia Falls. Directions to the trailhead: from Denver, take I … ~ lovelydysfunction. Information on Saint Mary’s Glacier. But Glacier has some stunning waterfall hikes too! St. Mary's Glacier is a MUST! Varied terrain from dense forests to dry, rocky slopes to alpine meadows, it never gets old. After passing St. Mary Falls, the trail makes a few sharp turns and takes hikers past by an unnamed, yet gorgeous, tumbling cascade. We love it so much, we wrote an article to give you everything you need to know to be prepared for this hike. Save big on a wide range of Missoula hotels! May 21, 2019. From there, take the bridge to cross the stream near the dam and continue up to the glacier. it is a strenuous hike if you do walk, so be prepared. St. Mary Campground St. Mary Campground. What was bad was trying to find a parking spot at the St Mary trailhead even at 10am. Saint Mary Falls Distance: 1.2 Miles One-Way Elevation Gain: 260 Feet The St. Mary’s Glacier and James Peak Trailhead is located HERE, the parking lot is just below it. Hikes Near Idaho Springs: St. … The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Located a short distance from Idaho Springs, Colorado, this short hike to St. Mary’s Glacier offers spectacular views and the chance to visit a beautiful alpine lake and glacier. Well… sort of. Boulder/Nederland Biking to Boulder Colorado. If you’re looking for a way to round out your day trip with a little nature, drive 40 minutes west and you’ll reach St Mary’s Glacier, which offers great hiking year round. St. Mary’s Glacier Trail: St. Mary’s Glacier is a favorite destination year round. Save on popular hotels near St. Mary Falls in East Glacier Park: Browse Expedia's selection of 340 hotels and places to stay closest to St. Mary Falls. Don’t expect solitude, and come with a good attitude. St. Mary’s Glacier near Idaho Springs, Colorado The hike up to St. Mary’s Glacier ascends through a beautiful forest and ends with stunning panoramic views–the kind you expect from a perfect short hike in Colorado. If you walk around St. Mary’s lake then hike up the glacier, you will gain incredible views of the Rocky Mountains to the west. Rising Sun Motor Inn – Rustic option with a restaurant and a gift shop near St. Mary Lake; Granite Park Chalet – Hike in, hike out lodge with limited amenities along the Highline Trail; Cottages at Glacier – Cozy 2 bedroom cabins just outside the park in St. Mary (my favorite place to stay!) Avalanche LakeThe quick bop over to Avalanche won’t spare you the crowds, but it will earn you a worthwhile view on a totally doable… St. Mary’s Glacier – Arapahoe National Forest – Idaho Springs, CO. From St Mary's take #7020 to Kingston Peak, this trail will then lead you back to #175. St. Mary's Glacier is a viewpoint inside of Arapaho National Forest. St Mary Falls was the last hike we did in Glacier. Total Elevation: 260 feet loss. Fee: $5, cash only, must be paid at the pay stations near the bathrooms Parking: Parking for James Peak shares the same lot as extremely popular St Mary’s Glacier. Most lists of “best hikes near Denver” include St. Mary’s Glacier. Mary's Glacier route drive on I-70 west out of Denver and just west of Idaho Springs, take the Fall River Road/St. Seen below is Thomas near the base of the Glacier. The St. Mary’s Glacier Colorado hike is family friendly and a well worth it destination. This National Park experiences extremely high visitor usage during the non-winter months and is actually the tenth most visited National Park in the country. St. Mary’s Glacier – Colorado. The trailhead to the St. Mary’s Glacier is well-marked, but after that there are no more signs for the trail itself. I’ve heard folks on the trail say that as long as you’re climbing upwards you’ll eventually reach the glacier, but this type of unmarked trail may be a bit intimidating for less experienced hikers. As one of the easiest hikes in Colorado, you’ll get big views for little effort. Before the Mississippi-bound water from the Continental Divide reaches the grand lake, it spills over Saint Mary Falls and Virginia Falls, two easy-to-reach gushers that can be picked up as a pair. St. Mary's Glacier is a viewpoint inside of Arapaho National Forest. ... where a river flows into a creek is by where you exit I-70 to head up towards St. Mary's Glacier. The St. Mary’s Glacier Colorado hike is family friendly and a well worth it destination. Information on Saint Mary’s Glacier. Recommended Gear: Microspikes Dog Friendly: Yes (must be kept on leash) Trail Map: AllTrails While there, please respect the trail. Many Glacier is a very nice campground and we wish we had spent at least one night camping there. Western Montana by bike is the perfect way to cover plenty of terrain while breathing in the fresh mountain air. November 6, 2020. Recommended hikes in Glacier National Park: I love a good road trip, but there’s only so much you can see from the car. 11. Taking you through forests and past glaciers, this hike is well worth the time and planning to experience the best of Glacier National Park. The east side of Glacier National Park is well known for its scenic hiking trails with thousands of visitors venturing to Grinnell Glacier, Iceberg Lake and Ptarmigan Tunnel each summer. Write a Review. If you’re into things like mountaineering and backcountry skiing, St Mary’s is the preferred training ground. This is one of our favorite hikes in the Idaho Springs area! The ticket is good for 7 days of travel along Going to the Sun Road. 4. The trail goes from wide enough for a jeep to narrower with more numerous individual trails branching off through the woods. What is the best place to stay? West Glacier Restaurant – Photo credit: Glacier Park Collection by Pursuit . It's less than a mile from the path start to the base of the glacier, but it's steep, and with snow still on the ground, it can be tricky. This is a very easy trail. Share what you know about this area! If you’re into things like mountaineering and backcountry skiing, St Mary’s is the preferred training ground. Going-To-The-Sun Road Browning, MT 59417 406-732-7708 406-888-7800 Reservations: 877-444-6777 Official Website. Elevation Gain: 540 ft. & 1325 ft. Hidden Lake is one of the most iconic images of Glacier National Park and because of this, it’s also one of the most popular trails. There are two very disgusting porta potties at the TH. Saint Mary's Glacier (or Saint Marys) is a semi-permanent snowfield located in Arapaho National Forest in the U.S. state of Colorado. Hiking in Colorado - St. Mary's Glacier - Colorado mountain hiking and trail photos. 8 reviews of St. Mary Falls Trailhead "Standing at the base of Virginia Falls is quite spectacular and worth the approx 2 mile hike in. You can even see Heavens Peak and Granite Park! Before I tell you about the hike though, let me tell you how to find the trailhead. On your way up to the peak you will pass St. Mary's Glacier. The scheduled pick-up time for the 10:00 a.m. hike is at 12:40 p.m. and the scheduled pick-up time for the 2:00 p.m. hike is at 4:40 p.m. by far one of our favorite places to camp. Bring the family and plan a fun daytrip to St. Mary’s Glacier. Hike length: 1.5 miles (round trip) Cost: $5.00 parking fee per vehicle, per day. Distance: 11.8 miles. Remember to bring an extra $5 for parking if you choose to venture to this gorgeous spot. St. Mary’s Glacier – Idaho Springs. St Mary Falls Hike. Parking is limited, so arrive early. In 2017 alone the park had 3.31 million visitors. St. Mary’s Glacier is about an hour drive west of Denver, Colorado. We saw 3 moose on this hike feeding in the lakes. Hiking The Iconic St. Mary’s Glacier Trail near Idaho Springs, CO. I’m coming up on 10 weeks of #ColoradoLife and so far my favorite thing about Colorado is the nature. The St Mary Falls trail is not just about the falls. It will be enough for great views. St Mary and Virginia Falls hiking trail near St Mary in Glacier National Park, MT - If you like waterfalls you’ll love the hike to beautiful St. Mary and Virginia Falls. If you choose to do the guided hike to St. Mary Falls (10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m.), you will depart from the boat at the upper dock, hike to St. Mary Falls and then catch a scheduled return boat later in the day. It’s uber-classic and perfect throughout the year. There are several ways to access James Peak. Highline Trail. St. Mary Falls Glacier National Park Hike is a highly populated, easy family hike. Back in May, we hiked beyond St. Mary's Glacier near Idaho Springs, CO for an epic view of James Peak, a popular 13er. We enjoyed several hikes in the park, boat tours at St. Mary, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier, and a couple of scenic drives. Saint Marys Glacier via Saint Mary's Drive and Fall River Road ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 2.3 mi