Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail: Glacier Section

Glacier's 55-mile section of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail is a one-way, point-to-point backcountry route from Chief Mountain customs parking area to Polebridge. It crosses the Continental Divide and links the Belly River, Waterton and Bowman Lake sides of the park. This record covers the Glacier section; the full trail continues more than 1,200 miles to the Pacific.

This is a rugged backpacking route, not a day hike. Expect roughly 40 hours of walking spread over several days; your overnight mileage depends on the backcountry campsites available to your permit. Most of the trail in Glacier is unmarked; bring the tools and skills to follow a route without regular blazes. Overnight trips require a Glacier wilderness permit, which sets where you can camp. Arrange transportation at Polebridge because this route does not return to the eastern start.

From Chief Mountain, the route follows the Belly River corridor and Cosley Lake Cutoff, then climbs over Stoney Indian Pass. The high pass and long approaches make this a serious undertaking; steep grades, lingering snowfields and rough high-country footing can slow progress. Beyond the divide, the trail descends toward Waterton Valley and Waterton Lake.

The westbound line follows the Waterton Valley and Lake trail corridors, then uses the Boulder Pass and Bowman Lake trails before road connections reach Polebridge. Seasonal bridges are not guaranteed year-round, so check the planned river crossings before setting daily stages. The western endpoint is Polebridge, separate from the starting access.

Congress designated the Pacific Northwest Trail a National Scenic Trail in 2009. The route crosses Montana, Idaho and Washington before reaching the Pacific near Cape Alava; this Glacier crossing is its rugged eastern mountain segment.