Swiftcurrent Pass Trail

Swiftcurrent Pass Trail is a 13.6-mile out-and-back from the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn trailhead to a broad saddle on the Continental Divide. The route climbs about 2,300 feet, starting gently through forest and meadow before a steep, exposed ascent beneath Swiftcurrent Glacier. Allow roughly eight to ten hours with stops. Go for the changing scenery and the long valley view from high above the lakes; skip the pass if a long day or narrow, exposed tread would make the climb miserable. The route here ends at Swiftcurrent Pass, not at the Highline junction or Granite Park.

The trailhead is at the far end of the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn parking lot. After crossing Wilbur Creek, a short side path reaches Fishercap Lake about a third of a mile in. The main trail then winds through forest, berry patches and open spots with views toward the surrounding peaks. Redrock Lake arrives around mile 1.7; look for the red rock on its west shore. Just beyond two miles, an unmarked fork leads to Redrock Falls, a tiered set of cascades with informal viewpoints above and below. The falls are a worthwhile detour, but the fork is easy to walk past if you are focused on the main route.

At about 3.4 miles, the trail crosses a suspension bridge and reaches Bullhead Lake. A short path drops to the northeast shore, where Swiftcurrent Mountain, the glacier and the headwall fill the view. This is a good place to judge the climb before committing to it. The trail crosses another footbridge around mile 4.1 and starts up the headwall. The climb grows steeper as the trees thin; above the scrub pines, the open slope brings long drop-offs and a much bigger view down the valley.

The switchbacks pass below a high waterfall fed by Swiftcurrent Glacier, then turn toward the Continental Divide. From here the line of lakes—Bullhead, Redrock, Fishercap and Swiftcurrent—appears below, with Lake Sherburne farther out. Near Devil’s Elbow the trail narrows along a steep cliffside section. Watch your footing and give yourself time; this is the part that makes the hike a poor choice for anyone uncomfortable with exposure. The path eases briefly around mile 6.1 before one final climb to the pass.

The pass sits at about 7,185 feet. It is a broad saddle, and the view immediately at the top can feel surprisingly limited after the headwall. A short walk west opens the outlook toward Heavens Peak and Mount Vaught; another quarter-mile reaches a rocky viewpoint toward Granite Park and the Logan Pass area. Those are optional extensions beyond the mapped turnaround. A separate 1.4-mile one-way spur climbs about 1,250 feet to the Swiftcurrent Mountain fire lookout; it is a strenuous add-on, not part of the pass mileage.

The willow edges around Fishercap, Redrock and Bullhead lakes are moose habitat, so scan the wet meadows quietly, while keeping a safe distance if you see one. Fishercap is a name associated with George Bird Grinnell, whose Blackfeet name was Fishercap. Redrock Lake and its falls take their name from the colored rock along the shore. At Bullhead Lake, frame the water beneath the glacier and headwall to show the scale of the climb ahead.

Bring food and water for a full day; no dependable meal or refill stop was established along the route. Pets are prohibited on Glacier’s trails. The high route can hold snow into July, and seasonal bridges are generally removed by late September, so check current trail conditions and do not assume the pass is safely walkable early or late in the season.