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Essex, Montana

Top Spots in and near Essex

  • Hungry Horse, Montana

    Hike to the Blue Lakes

    2 mi / 100 ft gain
    The drive out to the trailhead where this hike starts is an adventure in and of itself. As the Forest Service website describes it. "Silvertip Trailhead is accessed from Highway 2. From the town of Hungry Horse, drive east on Highway 2 for ½ mile to the East Side Reservoir Road #38. Turn right (s...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Hike to Sun Point

    5.0
    1.6 mi / 250 ft gain
    With panoramic views of St. Mary Lake and it’s surrounding peaks, Sun Point is the perfect spot to chill/relax in Glacier National Park.  It can be reached via the Sun Point Nature Trail or the Sun Point picnic area.To reach Sun Point via the nature trail, start at Sunrift Gorge parking area.  Cl...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Baring, St. Mary, and Virginia Falls in Glacier NP

    4.7
    5.43 mi / 500 ft gain
    This 5.4 mile out-and-back hike will take you to Baring, St. Mary, and Virginia Falls.   Start your hike at the Sunrift Gorge parking area. Hike down the stairs on the south side of the road. Here you’ll see the trailhead for Baring Falls. Descend until you reach the Baring Falls/Sun Point junc...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Gunsight Pass to Gunsight Lake Campsite

    5.0
    13.06 mi / 1667 ft gain
    How to Get There: Get your backcountry pass at the St. Mary visitor center and then head over to the hike, which begins from the Jackson Glacier Overlook, located 12.6 miles west of the center on the Going-to-Sun-Road.  The Hike: The first mile of the hike is a downhill, and then the trail is ...
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  • Glacier County, Montana

    Photograph Wild Goose Island

    5.0
    Wild Goose Island in Glacier National Park is one of the most iconic photography locations in the park. As a subject it differs wildly from time of year and time of day; a gorgeous 14' tall element surrounded by a vast alpine lake in the heart of a glaciated valley set against glacier-carved peak...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Capture Sunrise at St. Mary Lake

    5.0
    One of the more popular spots to photograph this lake is from the Wild Goose Island pullout. However, I prefer to get off the beaten path a little bit and avoid the crowds. The pin on the map will take you to the next pullout just east of Wild Goose Island, but before you get to Rising Sun campgr...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Kayak Saint Mary Lake, Glacier National Park

    Glacier National Park, one of the United States' finest national parks, is home to some of the most spectacular glacially carved lakes in the country. Situated along the famous Going-to-the-Sun (GTTS) road, Saint Mary Lake, the park's second largest lake, offers some of the finest views in the pa...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Photography on Logan Pass

    5.0
    Disclaimer: Glacier National Park has closed any off-trail activity in this area. The majority of the photos can be taken on-trail. Please be sure to adhere to the park's policy.With a short window of opportunity for visiting, Logan Pass offers a wealth of photographic options. As the winter sno...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Reynolds Mountain

    4.5
    11 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Reynolds Mountain stands high above the Logan Pass Visitors Center. Because of it's easy location, be prepared to get caught in the heavy rush of tourists on the way up. Though most will not be going to Reynolds Mountain, you will still need to "wade" through heavy tourism to reach the trail he...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Summit Reynolds Mountain via the North Face Ascent Route

    7.9 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Mt. Reynolds is a premier peak in Glacier National Park (GNP). The views from the beginning to the summit are incredible all the way around. Reynolds offers those who are starting to climb an introductory climb with little technicality and a reward that is well earned at the top. GNP requires an ...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Hike Dragon's Tail Ridge

    3.5
    3 mi / 1800 ft gain
    Starting from Logan's Pass, make your way along the boardwalk that leads to the Hidden Lake Overlook. Depending on the previous winter, there may be quite a bit of snow covering large portions of the boardwalk and trail that leads to Dragon's Tail, so it is suggested that you take any necessary p...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Hidden Lake Overlook

    5.0
    2.83 mi
    The trail starts at the Logan Pass Visitor Center, which is right in the middle of Going-To-The-Sun Road. It can be very busy during the middle of the day, but early morning and early evening will have less of a crowd. It's a pretty short hike in a beautiful wide open alpine meadow. We were gree...
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  • Browning, Montana

    Piegan Mountain

    5.0
    5 mi / 3000 ft gain
    Start this hike at the Lunch Creek parking lot just over Logan Pass. Follow the climber's trail which will lead you above a waterfall and into Lunch Creek Basin. Looking straight ahead, you will see Pollock Mountain. Continue to your right for the peak approach (if you go all the way to the right...
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  • Browning, Montana

    The Garden Wall

    15.16 mi / 3944 ft gain
    The Garden Wall Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near West Glacier, Montana.
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Explore Avalanche Creek

    5.0
    0.7 mi
    Avalanche Creek is one of Glacier National Park's easiest features to access and also one of its most unique. The old-growth cedar forest is home to towering trees, moss-covered boulders, and a rushing stream of glacial water. A small loop trail winds through the lower forest and leads to a bri...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Highline Trail

    5.0
    15.01 mi / 700 ft gain
    Starting at the top of Logan Pass at the visitor's center, walk across the street to the well marked Highline Loop Trailhead. This is written as an out-and-back hike, where you will simply hike back to where you started from. However, if you'd like to catch a ride back to the trailhead, check out...
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