What impresses people most about this lake is the surreal turquoise color of the lake. Regardless of the beautiful mountain cliffs and forests found along the trail, Cracker lake is definitely a must see. Located in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park, the trail is about 12.5 miles one way, though it is a good hike to break up into a two day trip if using the backpacking campgrounds. The beginning of the hike has a lot of horse traffic, which makes the trail either really muddy or very dusty (depending on the time of year). For most of the beginning, the trail meanders through thick forests and along some streams. 

The trail starts out at Many Glacier Hotel parking lot. From here the trail follows Allen creek, eventually taking hikers through thick forest. This trail goes through active bear country, so please take precautions. Going through thick forests and around blind turns makes it easier to run into a bear if not careful. Carry bear spray and be alert. While going through the forest, a waterfall will come into view which is falling from one of the surrounding mountains. There is no trail to reach the waterfall, but it is breathtaking to see. The forest will finally break off when hikers reach the basin where Cracker lake is located. The trail continues for another mile and a half to the lake overlook. The mountains that can be seen on the trail and from the lake are Mt Siyeh and Allen Mountain. 

There are three campsites available on the edge of Cracker lake. Those who decided to camp here will be able to camp beneath one of the largest rock faces on the continent. One drawback to the campsites is that there is no tree coverage, but everything is out in the open. The weather definitely will play into how comfortable of a night it would be at the campsites. The surrounding mountains have very interesting and beautiful sediment layers and were carved from glaciers thousands of years before. There is also an old copper mine and some old mining equipment near the lake. Hikers are prohibited from entering into the mine.