Glacier NP – Going-to-the-Sun Road (West side)

This section of Going-to-the-Sun road begins at the checkpoint beside the Apgar Picnic Area and extends to just before Logan Pass. Just like on the east side, most of our stops are just for pictures; but in a few places we actually get out and either explore, or go for a hike.

We travel this road many times while here, so the blog will be laid out from west to east, regardless of when we actually visit. As a result, you’ll see pictures from all directions, at different times of the day, and in different weather conditions.

Lake McDonald Point

This small beach located on the east side of the lake provides a lovely picnic spot, and an even better place to put Starlink on the dashboard to get some stuff done.

I couldn’t resist including pictures from the same spot, to show the difference on a sunny day.

McDonald Lake Lodge

Built in 1913, this historic Swiss chalet style lodge’s foundation and first floor walls are built entirely of stone. The inside is decorated in earth tones with antique style lighting fixtures and animal heads mounted on the walls.

Lake McDonald & Snyder Creek

After passing through the lodge we step out onto the back patio and down to the beach to get a view of Lake McDonald & Synder Creek.

Panorama of Lake McDonald from behind the lodge

McDonald Falls Overlook

This is not the best view of the McDonald Falls; but if you’re short on time, it’ll do.

Sacred Dancing Cascade

Just up the road from the McDonald falls overlook is the Sacred Dancing Cascade. The drop height is only 13 feet; but you have to admit, it’s pretty spectacular.

The best view of these falls (click here for the video) is from the trail bridge across McDonald Creek; which is also where we begin the Johns Lake Loop Trail.

Johns Lake Loop Trail

Once we leave the bridge, the trail follows McDonald Creek downstream. The trail terrain begins with a narrow, uneven path that takes us through some deep forest. It then widens as we reach McDonald Falls where we pick up the ADA trail coming up from the Upper McDonald Creek Trailhead.

Upper McDonald Creek Trail

McDonald Falls

Despite it’s popularity, this two-tiered waterfall is not easy to see. We found the view of the top tier from this trail was much better than from the overlook; but we had to walk up McDonald Creek to really get a good view of the lower tier. Which is an adventure all it’s own, especially when idiots at the overlook begin throwing rocks down into the creek. Never do this!!! You never know what or who is below you.

Click here to see a video of these falls.

McDonald Creek

Along the trail, we also get some pretty good views of McDonald Creek with it’s crystal clear water where the rapids are not creating interesting patterns of their own.

Avalanche Campground Trail

After briefly walking up North McDonald Road and crossing Going-to-the-Sun Road, we pick up the Avalanche Creek Trail at the Johns Lake Trailhead. This trail begins to climb up into the forest and head north to close our loop.

Johns Lake

As we begin to see the lake, we realize that the trees are so dense, and it’s so wet, we’re going to have to balance along some downed trees to get anywhere near the shore for a view.

Johns Lake Trail

This is also where we find the Johns Lake Trail junction, our avenue back to Sacred Dancing Falls and our truck.

McDonald Creek Pullout

Here we walk east up the road and find a small trail that takes us down to the water level, where we can get an incredible view of the rapids along McDonald Creek.

McDonald Creek Overlook

We pass this overlook many times before finally stopping near sunset one evening. Partly because it was so busy we couldn’t get a parking spot, and partly because the lighting wasn’t good for capturing the falls.

Just south of Avalanche Campground

On the way home one evening we see this lovely fellow just walking along the side of the road. Lucky for us, he stops to look at us about 10 feet away from my window. And yes, the window is up and fully secured.

There’s another traffic jam a little further up and someone in a car going the other way tells us there’s a large Black Bear with cubs. We do see them; but they’re quite a way into the woods, and we aren’t able to get a picture.

Avalanche Creek Campground

This campground is relatively small with extremely shaded sites. So, solar is an issue and there’s no connectivity to speak of (including Starlink). But, we’re here for the convenience… it’s on Going-to-the-Sun Road, so we don’t have to worry about timed entry. And it’s the trailhead for both the Avalanche Lake Trail and Trail of the Cedars. Both of which are extremely popular hikes, making parking very difficult.

It’s very quiet and in my opinion, beautiful. We’re surrounded by very old trees and we’re told wildlife frequently walks through here. The one big pitfall is the trees trap and hold the campfire smoke, making breathing difficult at times.

Avalanche Lake Trail

Heading out the backside of the campground, we join the trail as it begins to head up Avalanche Creek.

Avalanche Creek

Along the way we get some wonderful views of the small, incredibly blue water drops this creek is known for. We also see some stunningly intense colors, and a few cauldrons. Below is a large group of some of the best pictures we take along the way.

Trail

The trail is ~6.5 miles and ~850 feet in elevation gain through dense old forest offering deep, intense colors throughout. In addition to the colors, the terrain varies constantly; which is one of the things that makes it so unique and beloved by visitors.

Avalanche Lake

Once we reach the lake, we see the intense blue water from the glacier runoff as well as all the tree trunks in and around the lake from the winter avalanches.

Monument Falls

Monument Falls, descending from Sperry Glacier, at the back (SE end) of the lake is a sight to behold. There are more that one set of falls here; but only Monument has been named.

What an incredible trail! No wonder it’s ranked the #1 trail in Montana.

Trail of the Cedars

This easy, short (~1 mile) loop trail meanders through old growth forest featuring giant western red cedars, black cottonwoods, and western hemlocks. We also get views of Avalanche Gorge as we walk through these incredible 100+ foot tall trees, some of which are over 500 years old.

We do this trail many times while staying at Avalanche Campground, as it’s a great escape from the smoke hanging in the campground.

McDonald Creek from Avalanche Parking Lot

At the back of the Avalanche parking lot are several picnic tables on the edge of McDonald Creek. We spend a an afternoon here with Starlink working off a portable battery in order to get a signal and catch up with what’s been going on in the world.

McDonald Creek Pullout (Just South of Red Rock Falls)

Red Rock Falls

This is another very popular stopping point on Going-to-the-Sun Road making finding a parking spot very difficult. But, we find parking is easy at sunset and the lighting is much better for pictures.

Click here to see the video on our YouTube channel.

Just South of Avalanche Chutes Interpretive Pullout

This waterfall is created from melting snow on Heavens Peak

Logan Creek Bridge

Logan Creek

Alder Creek Pullout

Random Pullout between Alder Creek & West Tunnel

Just Southeast of West Tunnel

West Tunnel

To see the video of the West Tunnel Waterfall, click here.

West Tunnel Overlook

Here we take a narrow path along the inside of the west tunnel wall that leads to a few stone balconies for viewing the landscape beyond.

The Loop

There’s a small parking area here as well as a shuttle stop to access the Loop Trailhead. It’s also a great place to see the sunset; but only if you have a vehicle. We saw a few people here waiting for the shuttle long after the last scheduled run.

Crystal Point

Alder Creek Falls

This is not an actual waterfall. It’s only snow melt leftover from the last winter storm and was not here a few weeks later. But, it’s pretty cool and I’m very glad we got to see it while it was running.

The red bus in the picture above is one of Glaciers famous red bus tours. It’s a great way to get around the park and stop at the most popular spots if you can’t or don’t want to take your own vehicle.

Mount Cannon

This stop provided an incredible view of Mount Cannon with Bird Woman Falls just visible on the left and Oberlin Falls on the right.

Haystack Creek Valley

Haystack Creek Falls

It’s amazing the difference a few weeks and a sunny day cam make. The pictures below were taken three weeks apart.

Sunset

One evening on the way down from Logan Pass, we stop to watch as the sun sets over the valley.

Bird Woman Falls

This waterfall descends 960 feet beginning from handing valley. The main drop (scene below) is 560 feet.

U-Shaped Valley

Weeping Wall Waterfall

Weeping Wall is actually the wall along the roadway that is constantly weeping water from the rock onto the roadway and the cars going by. This waterfall is just a bit further toward Logan Pass at the corner of Big Bend.

Click here to experience this waterfall.

Big Bend Pullout

Turn of the road just below the Highline Trail

Logan Creek

Just to the right of Logan Creek we can see Oberlin Falls. Both of these are barely visible a few weeks later.

Oberlin Falls

Oberlin Overlook

Panorama from overlook

A surprise under the overlook platform… Mountain Goat Nanny and kids.

Oberlin Bend

Logan Creek Falls

Just before turning the final corner to Logan Pass and reaching the continental divide, we see Logan Creek Falls right beside the road.

We hope you enjoyed exploring the West side of Going-to-the-Sun Road as much as we did.

Next stop… Glacier NP – Many Glacier Area