One Trail at a Time: Avalanche Lake Trail at Glacier National Park
The iconic Avalanche Lake Trail at Glacier National Park is truly one of the must-do trails in the West Glacier region of the expansive Glacier National Park. From the dense hardwood forest to the incredible alpine lakes, the Avalanche Lake Trail provides an all encompassing experience of the raw beauty of Glacier National Park.
The Avalanche Lake Trailhead at Glacier National Park
Trailhead and Parking
The Avalanche Trail begins at the Trail of the Cedars Trailhead which can be found at the Avalanche Campground Parking area located just off of the incredible Going to the Sun Road in West Glacier approximately 5.5 miles east of the Lake McDonald Lodge. The Avalanche Lake Campground offers a vast array of parking spots, but as both the Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake Trails are incredibly popular, these section of the park can quickly fill up, so an early start is always the best way to secure your parking spot!
The initial climb up the Avalanche Lake Trail at Glacier National Park
Trail Information
The Avalanche Lake Trail is a 5.9 mile (round trip) out-and-back hike that branches off of the Trail of the Cedars Trail in the West Glacier region of Glacier National Park. The trail climbs approximately 750 ft at a relatively mild grade (< 10% over the length of the trail), and as with most trails at Glacier National Park, Avalanche Lake Trail is not dog-friendly. The unpaved, rocky, rooted trail takes you through a dense red cedar forest as you travel along Avalanche Creek before ending at the phenomenal Avalanche Lake. Pit toilets can be found just before reaching Avalanche Lake. Similar to all trails within Glacier National Park, bear activity is high, so be sure to have bear spray available during your hike along the Avalanche Lake Trail.
Pro Tip: Take the Trail of the Cedars counterclockwise (west to east), taking the west leg of the trail and branching off to the Avalanche Lake Trail. After retracing your steps down the Avalanche Lake Trail, continue on the east leg of the Trail of the Cedars to return to the trailhead.
Avalanche Creek running alongside the Avalanche Lake Trail at Glacier National Park
The Hike
The clearly marked Avalanche Lake Trail begins approximately 0.5 miles into the Trail of the Cedars. The Avalanche Lake Trail begins with a short but relatively steep uphill section that takes you deep into the red cedar forest of the area.
Towering Red Cedars along the Avalanche Lake Trail at Glacier National Park
As you crest the initial climb onto the trail, the trail winds its way through the hardwood forest along the banks of Avalanche Creek. As you travel through this densely wooded landscape, views of surrounding valleys, peaks, and native wildlife are abundant throughout the duration of the trail!
Jaw-dropping views from the Avalanche Lake Trail at Glacier National Park
After about 1.5 miles up the trail, the incline makes an obvious increase in grade you approach Avalanche Lake. At about 1.9 miles along the trail, the rocky faces and waterfalls surrounding Avalanche Lake will become visible before reaching the clearing of the lake itself!
Avalanche Lake at Glacier National Park
A short trail running alongside the southern edge of Avalanche Lake will take you toward the backside of the lake for a different vantage point of this incredible area! This portion of the trail, while less traveled, allows you to view Avalanche Lake from a truly unique perspective as you explore this wild, rugged landscape!
Sunlight peeking through the trees along the Avalanche Lake Trail at Glacier National Park
After enjoying the incredible beauty of Avalanche Lake, simply retrace your steps back to the Avalanche Lake trailhead. From here, you can link this trail to complete the Trail of the Cedars, or head back the way you came to return to the Avalanche Lake Campground Parking Area.
Pro Tip: The wheelchair accessible Trail of the Cedars is an exceptional trail within the West Glacier Region of Glacier National Park. Arrive early to experience the serene beauty of the Avalanche Lake and Trail of the Cedars Trails before the crowds roll in!
The bridge over Avalanche Creek along the Trail of the Cedars Trail at Glacier National Park
If you are only able to hike a single trail in the West Glacier region of the amazing Glacier National Park, be sure to make it the absolutely stunning Avalanche Lake Trail. There are few trails within any National Park that provide such a complete and comprehensive impression of a National Park as the Avalanche Lake Trail does for Glacier National Park!
