Gable Pass Trail

The first 2.6 miles are mostly level, with rolling ground under dense conifers and long thimbleberry patches. The climb builds after that. Around mile 4.4 the trees give way to views of Chief Mountain and peaks on both sides of the ridge; soon the route rises above treeline onto open tundra. The tread gets faint up here. Cairns mark the way, but they can be hard to pick out across the rocky ground.

Around six miles in, Lee Ridge meets Gable Pass Trail. The junction itself has broad views and is a sensible turnaround if you want to avoid the roughest footing. Continue toward the pass and the route drops steeply into a basin, then crosses a large boulder field before reaching the pass cairn. From there, look across Otatso Creek Valley toward Yellow Mountain and Sherburne Peak. A rocky perch beside the cairn opens the view. The last stretch is short compared with the whole day, but it is the hardest part underfoot.

The Lee Ridge trailhead is on Chief Mountain International Highway near the Canadian border. There is no formal lot at the trailhead. A small roadside pullout about a tenth of a mile beyond it is reported to fit roughly ten cars; another roadside area is about a tenth of a mile before. Leave the highway clear and use the roadside spaces. Pets are not allowed on Glacier trails or in the backcountry.