Avalanche Lake
Apgar Village, Glacier National Park
| Address: | 16809 Going-to-the-Sun Rd, West Glacier, MT 59936, USA |
| GPS: |
48°40'42.8"N 113°49'6.3"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Montana |
| Trails/Routes: | 4.5 mi |
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Glacier National Park Itinerary
This Glacier National Park Itinerary will help you get started as you plan your vacation to Glacier National Park.
https://www.justgotravelstudios.com/collections/national-park-itineraries/products/glacier-national-park-itinerary?ref=9zpxis0diinHiking Guide: Avalanche Lake
Overview Avalanche Lake has a reputation for being one of Glacier National Park’s ‘must-do’ short hikes. Thanks to its incredible scenery and close proximity to the West Glacier entrance, it’s also one of the park’s most popular hikes. From Avalanche Campground, you will take the Trail of the Cedars to its junction with Avalanche Trail, then continue two miles along Avalanche Creek to the lake. The beauty at Avalanche Lake is reminiscent of the Elven valley of Rivendell in Lord of the Rings. The lake’s immaculate waters are surrounded by an alpine cirque with waterfalls fed by the Sperry Glacier
https://backobeyond.blog/hiking-guide-avalanche-lake/Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
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- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Apgar Village, Glacier National Park
- Head north toward Apgar Loop/Lake View Dr (121 ft)
- Turn right onto Apgar Loop/Lake View Dr (0.8 mi)
- Turn left onto Glacier Rte 1 Rd/Going-to-the-Sun RdMay be closed at certain times or days(13.6 mi)
- Turn right (0.1 mi)
- Turn right (10 ft)
endovereric
7/2/18 1:43 pm
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
Trail of the Cedars
Apgar Village, Glacier National Park
0.2 miles NAn easy wheelchair-accessible loop through towering 500-year-old cedars up to 100 feet tall in Glacier National Park, with gorge views of glacial Avalanche Creek and a footbridge over the water.
Hike 5.0 mi
Hidden Lake
Glacier National Park
4.7 miles EA 6.6-mile round-trip hike from Logan Pass through alpine meadows, dense forest, and rocky terrain to the crystal-clear waters of Hidden Lake, with bighorn sheep and mountain goats along the way.
Hike
Highline Trail
Logan Pass, Glacier National Park
4.8 miles EOne of Glacier National Park's most celebrated hikes — the Highline Trail spans alpine meadows, the Continental Divide, and the Garden Wall with mountain goats, wildflowers, and views to rival anything in the park.
Backpack, Hike
Clements Mountain Trail
Logan Pass, Glacier National Park
4.8 miles EA four-mile round-trip climb of Clements Mountain in Glacier National Park, with several routes of varying difficulty and significant elevation gain — often confused with nearby Reynolds Mountain.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Rock Climb
Siyeh Pass Trail
Logan Pass, Glacier National Park
7.1 miles EA top-of-the-world point-to-point hike through Glacier's Preston Park meadows to a high pass with glacier views, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep.
Backpack, Hike
Grinnell Lake
Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
8.1 miles NEA 7.5-mile round-trip hike along glacier-fed subalpine lakes to a turquoise glacial lake in Glacier National Park — with a waterfall along the way and an optional ferry across Lake Josephine.
Hike, Swim 1.4-4.6 mi
St Mary and Virginia Falls
Rising Sun, Glacier National Park
9.6 miles EA scenic 3.7-mile roundtrip hike past St. Mary Falls' 50-foot two-tiered drop to the upper and lower tiers of Virginia Falls, best in early season when snowmelt is rushing.
Hike 0.6 mi
Baring Falls
Glacier National Park
10.2 miles EA moderate trail hike in Glacier National Park to 30-foot Baring Falls dropping into crystal-clear water — with scenic mountain overlooks, wildlife, and an optional gorge viewpoint 1.5 miles beyond.
Hike 10.5 mi
Ptarmigan Tunnel
Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
10.5 miles NEA long hike to a hand-carved 240-foot tunnel through the Ptarmigan Wall at Glacier National Park, opening to views of Seaward Mountain and Elizabeth Lake — open mid-July through early October.
Backpack, Hike 9.7 mi
Iceberg Lake
Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
10.5 miles NENine miles of alpine trail deliver sweeping views of Ptarmigan Wall, Mount Grinnell, and Mount Wilbur before arriving at an iceberg-dotted cirque lake in Glacier NP.
Backpack, Camp, Hike 11.8 mi
Cracker Lake Trail
Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
10.9 miles NEA 12.5-mile hike through forests and meadows to a surreal turquoise lake in the Many Glacier area — plan for two days to fully enjoy this bear-country gem.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Cameron Lake
Waterton, Glacier National Park
25.5 miles NWA picturesque Canadian glacial lake in Waterton Lakes National Park surrounded by mountain scenery, avalanche-sculpted shores, kayaking, fishing, and Herbst Glacier views.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Jewel Basin
Kalispell, Montana
35.5 miles SThe Jewel Basin Hiking Area packs 35 miles of hiker-only trail, two dozen alpine lakes, and the Mount Aeneas lookout into the Swan Range near Kalispell.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Harry Harm Park
Bigfork, Montana
44.7 miles SHike near Bigfork, Montana
HikeNearby Campsites
Avalanche Campground
Glacier National Park
0.0 miles SNestled on Glacier National Park's west side, Avalanche Campground puts 128 sites, flush toilets, and bear-proof storage right next to the Trail of the Cedars and the stunning Avalanche Lake hike.
Camp
Clements Mountain Trail
Logan Pass, Glacier National Park
4.8 miles EA four-mile round-trip climb of Clements Mountain in Glacier National Park, with several routes of varying difficulty and significant elevation gain — often confused with nearby Reynolds Mountain.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Rock Climb
Sprague Campground
Glacier National Park
5.9 miles SWAn 85-site campground on the west side of Glacier National Park near Lake McDonald, with swimming, boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, and the Trail of the Cedars nearby.
Camp
Many Glacier Campground
Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
10.4 miles NECamp near Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
Camp 9.7 mi
Iceberg Lake
Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
10.5 miles NENine miles of alpine trail deliver sweeping views of Ptarmigan Wall, Mount Grinnell, and Mount Wilbur before arriving at an iceberg-dotted cirque lake in Glacier NP.
Backpack, Camp, Hike 11.8 mi
Cracker Lake Trail
Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
10.9 miles NEA 12.5-mile hike through forests and meadows to a surreal turquoise lake in the Many Glacier area — plan for two days to fully enjoy this bear-country gem.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Fish Creek Campground
Glacier National Park
11.8 miles SWA 193-site Glacier National Park campground along Fish Creek, surrounded by pine and cedar forest, with mountain views, fire rings, and access to the Trail of the Cedars nearby.
Camp
Apgar Campground
Apgar Village, Glacier National Park
13.0 miles SWCampsites on the shores of Lake McDonald within Glacier National Park, with easy access to the Apgar Visitor Center, nature center, nearby hiking, and the western entrance to Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Camp
Rising Sun Campground
Glacier National Park
13.6 miles EMore than 150 sites in eastern Glacier National Park close to Going-to-the-Sun Road, St. Mary's Falls and Red Rock Falls trails, and frequent bear, elk, and bighorn sightings.
Camp
Logging Creek Campground
Glacier National Park
17.1 miles WA first-come, first-served campground nestled in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park, with 49 sites and close access to the Grinnell Glacier and Swiftcurrent trails.
Camp
St. Mary Campground
Glacier National Park
17.7 miles EOver 200 campsites on the edge of Glacier National Park with flush toilets, showers, and quick access to Going-to-the-Sun Road, the Highline Trail, and St. Mary Lake.
Camp
Quartz Creek Campground
Glacier National Park
18.7 miles WA peaceful 22-site campground in the heart of Glacier National Park, close to Going-to-the-Sun Road and a short hike from iconic Grinnell Glacier.
Camp
Bowman Lake Campground
Glacier National Park
20.3 miles NWA stunning lakeside campground in the heart of Glacier National Park with 50+ campsites, bear-proof lockers, nearby hiking trails, and access to swimming, fishing, and paddling on Bowman Lake.
Camp
Cut Bank Campground
Glacier National Park
20.6 miles EA peaceful forested campground along Cut Bank Creek in Glacier National Park with 48 first-come sites, nearby hiking trails, and access to fishing at St. Mary Lake.
Camp
Two Medicine Campground
Glacier National Park
24.5 miles SECamp near Glacier National Park
Camp
Cameron Lake
Waterton, Glacier National Park
25.5 miles NWA picturesque Canadian glacial lake in Waterton Lakes National Park surrounded by mountain scenery, avalanche-sculpted shores, kayaking, fishing, and Herbst Glacier views.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Kintla Campground
Glacier National Park
25.8 miles NWA 26-site campground on the shores of Kintla Lake inside Glacier National Park — fire pits, bear boxes, vault toilets, and the Kintla Lake Trail at your doorstep.
Camp
Jewel Basin
Kalispell, Montana
35.5 miles SThe Jewel Basin Hiking Area packs 35 miles of hiker-only trail, two dozen alpine lakes, and the Mount Aeneas lookout into the Swan Range near Kalispell.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
