Aster Falls Trail

Aster Falls Trail is a 2.8-mile out-and-back from South Shore Trailhead to a cascade on Aster Creek. The mapped route is about 1.4 miles each way; allow around two hours with a stop at the falls. It is mostly forest walking with a modest rise, rather than a steep climb. Published distances differ: one listing gives 1.2 miles one way, but the route traced to the falls runs farther. Plan on the longer 2.8-mile round trip if you want to reach the waterfall.

Start by the Two Medicine General Store and boat dock, then follow the South Shore path through lodgepole pine, spruce and fir, with small meadows and beaver ponds along the way. A short branch to Paradise Point appears roughly a quarter-mile in and reaches a small beach with a broad view of Two Medicine Lake; it is an optional detour, not part of the falls mileage. The ponds are moose habitat, and hikers sometimes see them there, though sightings are never guaranteed.

At the Aster Park junction, turn onto the Aster Park Trail; after a short stretch, take the side trail to the falls. Continuing uphill leads to Aster Park Overlook and makes a much longer hike. The falls tumble over dark rock in several drops, about 20 feet in all. Their flow varies: visitor accounts describe stronger water in early summer and much less later in the season. At the base, include the creek in the foreground to show the separate cascades. Aster Creek crossing is part of the route; a visitor reported a bridge, but its current status is unconfirmed. Dogs are not permitted on Glacier trails.