Sue Lake Overlook Trail

This 0.8-mile round-trip out-and-back leaves the Northern Highline and climbs about 0.4 mile to a ridge above Sue Lake. The lake sits far below, with a broad mountain skyline beyond it. If you are already on the Northern Highline, this is a worthwhile short detour; the approach is the bigger commitment. Allow about 45 minutes for the spur itself; the path does not descend to the water.

The spur is short but steep. It ends on an exposed ridge above steep cliffs, so keep well back from the edge. Return the same way to the Northern Highline. The mapped distance covers only this spur, not the long backcountry approach needed to reach it.

From roughly 7,700 feet, Sue Lake lies far below. Cathedral Peak and Mount Kipp frame the north and south, and the western view reaches the Livingston Range and its glaciers and snowfields. For a photo, keep some of the ridge in the foreground with the lake below; the height is part of the view.

This is not a roadside day hike: there is no road access or parking at the spur. Reach its junction by hiking the Northern Highline on a long backcountry route. The Fifty Mountain campground is about a mile away along the trail; an overnight stay there requires a backcountry camping permit. Pets are not allowed on Glacier trails or in the backcountry. High-elevation snow can linger into summer, and fall snow or seasonal bridge removals can affect travel, so check current trail status before setting out. There are no services at the overlook.