Avalanche Lake hike

During the busy season, once the road is fully open to vehicle traffic, it becomes tough to find parking here. Either plan to arrive very early in the morning, or take a shuttle from another area of the park.

This is a popular, renowned family-friendly hike! The old-growth cedars and hemlocks, lush greens ferns, and mosses mirror the verdant scenery blanketing the Pacific coast more than anywhere else in the park.

The trek begins at the Trail of the Cedar trailhead. You can start the walk from either direction. After walking for around half a mile, you will reach the junction for Avalanche lake. The lake is either just before or after (depending on which direction you start) a bridge traversing the rushing waters of Avalanche Creek. Once you reach the Avalanche Lake trail, you will embark on a short ascent before continuing along the path adjacent to the creek for 0.5mi. Eventually, you’ll enter the woods.

At the point where Hidden Creek and Avalanche Creek meet, roughly another half-mile ahead, there will be significant debris from the many avalanches that erupt throughout this area. Continue along the trail for another 0.7mi until you reach the base of Avalanche Lake. There is a little beach a short distance away that makes for a decent rest spot before you return the same way you came.

Find more epic hikes in Glacier National Park

• Grinnell Glacier
• Hidden Lake Overlook
• Ptarmigan Tunnel
• Iceberg Lake
• St Mary and Virginia Falls
• Piegan Pass