Your hike will being at the Sperry Trailhead adjacent to the Lake McDonald Lodge. As you get moving on the hike, you'll pass the Sperry Chalet. If 17.5 miles seems a little long for a day hike, you can look into staying over at the Sperry Chalet (reservations required). This will mean that you'll be cutting the climb up to the pass to a 1500' elevation gain from the Chalet. You'll be finishing this hike with a total elevation gain of about 5,000 feet.

Although this 17.5 mile hike will take you some time, if you have a little extra energy once you reach the pass, you can head to Sperry Glacier before hiking back to the trailhead.