Posted by John Freeman on July 14, 2014 at 8:44 PM
I am headed to Glacier NP in the near future. Would be interested in suggestions of good panoramic locations. Needs to be <= than 2 mile one way hike as I have some heart issues.
Thanks
Posted by Phillip Noll on July 15, 2014 at 9:29 AM
Here are a few that aren't that much of a hike:
Sunrise/Sunset at St. Mary's Lake. Right off the road near Wild Goose Island.
Many places along the Going to the Sun road would be good for panoramas.
Shore of Two Medicine Lake at Sunrise. Park at the store and walk 30 yards to the lake.
Shore of Swiftcurrent Lake at Sunrise. Park at the Lodge.
Baring Falls is a short hike to a nice waterfall.
Running Eagle Falls is not far from the road near Two Medicine Lake. A unique waterfall.
McDonald Falls at the north end of McDonald Lake.
Posted by Darren Huski on July 15, 2014 at 12:54 PM
Phillip has some great suggestions.
I would second Swiftcurrent Lake. It is literally 30 feet from the Many Glacier Lodge and a stunner of a view. Usually quiet at sunrise. Here is one that shows the lodge and the lake. This was taken about a week after the lodge closed and they were prepping it for winter.
See more images on my blog or website.
Going to the Sun road is great and hike to Hidden Lake is less than two miles but is at altitude.
Note, you WILL see bears in Glacier. Be smart and you should be safe. However you will see them. If you will be out alone at sunrise and sunset you might want to get a can of bear spray .....just in case. My last trip I hiked up to Hidden Lake area, a fairly busy trail that is also fairly open and a grizzly popped up 30 feet from me. We looked at each other for a minute and then he rambled off toward the area I wanted to go. Since I was alone and staying til dark I opted for a different location.
Posted by Phillip Noll on July 15, 2014 at 4:57 PM
Two Medicine at sunrise with the camp store about 50 feet behind me:
Posted by Phillip Noll on July 15, 2014 at 4:57 PM
St. Marys Lake at sunset from 10ft off the road:
Posted by Phillip Noll on July 15, 2014 at 4:58 PM
Carry pepper spray. Better safe than sorry!
Posted by John Freeman on July 16, 2014 at 10:32 AM
Thanks all for your suggestions. Looking forward to trying these locations.
John Just coming back from Glacier. There is road construction on the Going to the sun road. The turnout for Wild Goose Island is blocked by equipment and the traffic is being flagged through there so could not stop, shot one on the fly that turned out decent. The Many Glacier lodge and Swiftcurrent are my favorites. Just before the lodge there is a bridge over a fall that can be accessed by a short hike. This is 150 yards East of where Darren shot his image.
Discussion
7 repliesThanks
Sunrise/Sunset at St. Mary's Lake. Right off the road near Wild Goose Island.
Many places along the Going to the Sun road would be good for panoramas.
Shore of Two Medicine Lake at Sunrise. Park at the store and walk 30 yards to the lake.
Shore of Swiftcurrent Lake at Sunrise. Park at the Lodge.
Baring Falls is a short hike to a nice waterfall.
Running Eagle Falls is not far from the road near Two Medicine Lake. A unique waterfall.
McDonald Falls at the north end of McDonald Lake.
I would second Swiftcurrent Lake. It is literally 30 feet from the Many Glacier Lodge and a stunner of a view. Usually quiet at sunrise. Here is one that shows the lodge and the lake. This was taken about a week after the lodge closed and they were prepping it for winter.
See more images on my blog or website.
Going to the Sun road is great and hike to Hidden Lake is less than two miles but is at altitude.
Note, you WILL see bears in Glacier. Be smart and you should be safe. However you will see them. If you will be out alone at sunrise and sunset you might want to get a can of bear spray .....just in case. My last trip I hiked up to Hidden Lake area, a fairly busy trail that is also fairly open and a grizzly popped up 30 feet from me. We looked at each other for a minute and then he rambled off toward the area I wanted to go. Since I was alone and staying til dark I opted for a different location.