Glacier National Park: Swiftcurrent Mountain via Swiftcurrent Pass Trail
This 16.1-mile dayhike links a string of alpine lakes, then hits a summit high above glacier-sculpted landscapes in the Many Glacier region.
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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)