In my opinion, Glacier’s Avalanche Lake hike is one of the most rewarding treks in the park.
The trailhead for this hike is just a short walk away from the Avalanche Creek shuttle stop. While the shuttle stop does also have parking available, I recommend taking advantage of the shuttle services as the spots can fill up quickly. While “large vehicles” are technically allowed up until this point, I would also advise against taking motor-homes up to this area for similar parking-related reasons.
The hike starts out easy on the Trail of the Cedars, a pretty walk through tall trees on a wheelchair accessible boardwalk. There is a split in the trail fairly early on, but that’s just the other half of the Trail of the Cedars loop. I chose to continue along the left of the path, which has a boardwalk all the way up until the Avalanche Lake turn off, while the right path eventually turned into a wide and flat dirt trail.
Follow the Trail of the Cedars for about half a mile, and you’ll come across a pretty waterfall towards the furthest point of the loop. At this point, keep an eye out for the sign that marks the turn off to Avalanche Lake.
The river that makes up the waterfall will be your companion for much of the start of this hike- though you start above it, the path will eventually take you right next to it! Do not swim here- the current is swift and you already know there’s at least one waterfall.
Eventually you’ll leave the river behind and head deeper into the forest for some rocky slopes. These hills can be slick when wet, so mind your step!
There are a few decent views of the nearby peaks when there are breaks in the trees, but the real treat is the view of the lake at the end of the hike.
Since the hike is so popular, the narrow path just before arriving at the lake can be quite crowded- it felt like being in a little parade at points- but there is much more room to spread out at the lake so it while you wont be alone, you wont feel overcrowded either.
There are a few narrow offshoots of the trail as you get closer to the lake, but they all lead to the same place.
Take some time to really admire the incredible view!
Many people pack snacks or a light lunch to eat at the lake- there are a few downed trees and big rocks that make comfortable seats. Keep an eye out for overly friendly birds and chipmunks looking for a bite of your food!
You’ll be walking the same path back to the trailhead, unless you choose to take the other half of the Trail of the Cedars loop- the walk will take you through a campground and there are bathrooms available both here and at the Avalanche Lake shuttle stop.
Leaving this trail was the only time I experienced a significant wait for the shuttles, but I think it was mostly because it started to rain and everyone made it back to the shuttle stop at the same time.
DISTANCE: 5.5mi
ELEVATION GAIN: 741 ft
APPROXIMATE TIME NEEDED: 4 hours
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