Glacier National Park: Swiftcurrent Mountain via Swiftcurrent Pass Trail

PERMIT: Overnight camping in Glacier National Park requires a backcountry permit. Check out the latest fees and more details at nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm.
MORE PARK INFO: Glacier National Park, (406) 888-7800; nps.gov/glac/.
-Mapped by Richard Menicke

Trail Facts

• Distance: 25.9

Waypoints

SPT001

Location: 48.7975001, -113.6785734

Hike W up valley on Swiftcurrent Pass Trail; weave through quaking aspen groves and pockets of lodgepoles

SPT002

Location: 48.7983977, -113.6825752

Stay straight @ 3-way; pass Fishercap Lake on L (mostly hidden from trail by foliage); keep heading NW

SPT003

Location: 48.8017757, -113.6942482

Trail swings SW and enters glacier-carved cirque. In .5 mi., cross stream

SPT004

Location: 48.7975693, -113.7076645

Trace grassy banks of trout-filled Redrock Lake, rimmed by dwarf conifers; Mt. Grinnell’s fin-shaped ridge looms to SW

SPT005

Location: 48.7953446, -113.7115216

Redrock Falls: Tiered cascade pours over boulders and reddish cliff bands

SPT006

Location: 48.789987, -113.7331295

Walk along banks of hourglass-shaped Bullhead Lake on L; look N to see Mt. Wilbur’s prominent, sawtoothed ridgeline

SPT007

Location: 48.7800865, -113.743103

Start steep climb of headwall on long switchbacks

SPT008

Location: 48.7785632, -113.7539864

Traverse N on path, hugging cliff walls; look NE across valley to see string of glacial lakes

SPT009

Location: 48.7860286, -113.752656

Trail cuts L for last switchback before Swiftcurrent Pass

SPT010

Location: 48.7776865, -113.7654448

Swiftcurrent Pass: Turn R, heading N toward Swiftcurrent Mtn.

SPT011

Location: 48.7783511, -113.7682986

Zigzag up Swiftcurrent’s exposed SW ridge on steep switchbacks for last 1.1 mi. to summit

SPT012

Location: 48.7855125, -113.766861

Swiftcurrent Mtn. (8,436 ft.): Part of the Divide, this pyramid looms over N. Swiftcurrent Glacier. Retrace or extend trip (check out Granite Park Trail @ backpacker.com/hikes)