Highline Trail / Ptarmigan Tunnel, North Circle, Glacier National Park, Montana hiking

Where can I buy / rent gear?

Best to bring everything with you to Glacier.

Surprisingly, there is a very good gear shop in Waterton. Check it out if you get there.

You can purchase a few gear items at stores in Glacier — but do not count on it.

**Do I need a Permit to hike?**

Definitely. Choose your itinerary as early as you possibly can as popular campsites are filled on a first-come, first-served bases.

Try for for an advanced reservation — starting April 1st — for the coming season.

If you know exactly when & where you want to camp, fax in your application on April 1st.

The critical webpage for making an application for a Permit is:

http://nps.gov/glac/pdf/2005bc-app.pdf

Print this .pdf application & send it to the Parks system, fax (406) 888 5819

The system works well, but it is a shame we cannot yet apply for a back country Permit online.

Not sure what itinerary to book?

Check our recommended hiking Routes.

Up-to-date details are published in the Glacier Park Backcountry Guide. Read this before you fax your application.

backcountry permit in hand, boarding boat in Waterton

Where else can I get information?

The best source is pages on the official Glacier Park website, listed on our Links page.

Hiking guidebooks provide more detailed information, though less up-to-date. Our favourite guidebook is Lonely Planet Hiking in the Rocky Mountains. Succinct, clearly written, opinionated. We agree with their recommendations at least 90% of the time.

Who should attempt this hike?

It is recommended for experienced alpine hikers looking for full hiking days (10 miles or so) in a glorious environment.

If this is not you, do day hikes out of Waterton, Many Glacier or Logan Pass with a day pack.

Who should NOT hike Glacier?

NOT those with chronic knee, ankle or back injuries.

A hike this long & up-and-down should not be your first big multi-day trek.

Footing is good for the most part. But be prepared for snow in places.

What's the most difficult section?

Our Recommended Routes balance the difficulty & distance as best we can.

For us the day crossing Ptarmigan Pass through the tunnel with a detour sidetrip to Iceberg Lake was wonderful, but very tiring.

Start early on the longer days is our

The trail up to Swiftcurrent Lookout is tiring if you carry your full pack. We stashed the packs at the bottom & carried only our food up the mountain.

The fire lookout was locked when we were there. But the pit toilet offered the best toilet view in the Rockies!.

view down to the clouds from Swiftcurrent Lookout