The Sun Road- Highline Dreams: Glacier National Park Adventure
I’d been dreaming of hiking the Highline Trail ; the crown jewel of Glacier National Park’s trail system — for months. This wasn’t just a hike, it was the hike: panoramic views, vertigo-inducing ledges, wildlife sightings, and a serious physical challenge. Naturally, I was in.
We pulled into Logan Pass before 6 AM (that parking lot is no joke) and crossed the Going-to-the-Sun Road to the trailhead, starting at 6,646 feet. The first mile? A literal cliffhanger; a narrow 6–8 ft ledge carved into the Garden Wall with nothing but air on one side and a cable bolted into the rock for comfort. It was terrifying... and completely exhilarating.
For 11.8 miles, the Highline Trail hugs the Continental Divide, with sweeping views of the McDonald Valley and Glacier’s iconic jagged peaks. Mountain goats, marmots, and bighorn sheep made appearances like they were on a payroll. The landscape felt like it belonged in another world: wild, raw, cinematic.
Near the top, at Granite Park Chalet, there's an optional detour to Grinnell Glacier Overlook. (Keyword: optional. I opted out.) Instead, I continued to “The Loop” — expecting a quick exit and shuttle ride back to Logan Pass.
What no one warned me about: “The Loop” is not a parking lot. It’s a trail. A brutally steep, 4-mile descent straight down to the Sun Road; a quad-busting finale I was not ready for. My knees were wrecked. My toes were screaming. And still, I wouldn’t have traded it for anything.
Whitefish Vibes & Lakeside Sunsets
We kicked off the trip in Whitefish, a picture-perfect mountain town that was buzzing with the Huckleberry Arts Festival. After a quick stroll and a solid burger, we drove into West Glacier and checked into a motel across from the park entrance. No vehicle registration meant we had to enter the park before 7 AM the next day; so we napped, then chased the sunset. Lake McDonald was calling.
We stopped by the historic McDonald Lodge — think rustic-chic hunting lodge meets alpine palace, complete with a three-story fireplace and a wall of taxidermy. I toasted the evening with a Huckleberry margarita and smoked trout (hello, fancy camping food) before wandering down to the lake in search of those iconic rainbow pebbles. Turns out, the real spot for that Instagram shot is Apgar Village, at the far end of the lake. Got the shot. Mission complete.
The Hidden Gems (and Hidden Lakes)
The next morning, we entered the park early; no rangers, no maps, just vibes — and drove the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road eastward. First stop: Trail of the Cedars. It’s an easy boardwalk through towering trees that turns into the Avalanche Lake trail. I left Alan and Kodi behind after the first stretch and powered through the uphill sections, fueled by moms with babies on their backs and kids racing ahead of me. The lake at the top? Unreal; crystal-clear water with waterfalls crashing down in the distance. My knees? Already protesting.
We rolled on past dramatic roadside wonders; Bird Woman Falls, the Weeping Wall, Heaven’s Peak, Wild Goose Island — each one more jaw-dropping than the last. It's no wonder oversized vehicles aren’t allowed. Those turns were tight.
After a long day of hiking and driving, we reached Rising Sun Motor Lodge on the East side, only to be told check-in wasn’t until 4. No worries…we explored the less-touristy Two Medicine area. Picture this: a serene alpine lake, kayakers gliding under snow-dusted peaks, a couple about to get married at Sun Point, and a café with the best ham and egg sandwich on toasted ciabatta I’ve ever had. Seriously, shoutout to Laura at the café — she gave us the lowdown on the Waterton Peace Park (Canada, we see you).
The Big Day: Highline Trail Takeover
The next morning: game time. We left by 5:30 AM and scored a golden-hour parking spot at Logan Pass. I convinced Alan to join me for a “quick boardwalk hike” to Hidden Lake. That “easy” stroll turned into a 6-mile round-trip through meadows of wildflowers, sun-kissed peaks, and curious marmots. Worth it? Absolutely. Easy? Not quite.
Back at the van, I knew it was now or never: time for the Highline Trail. I promised I’d turn around if it was too much. Spoiler: I didn’t.
The narrow cliffside section was actually a breeze (or maybe adrenaline just drowned out fear). I snapped photos, took videos, soaked it in... until my phone died. Without distractions, I locked in with a steady-paced group of hikers and just went for it. I powered up to the Chalet, asked for directions to The Loop, and set off downhill — completely unaware I was about to destroy my knees.
That descent hurt. I was practically sidestepping by the end, my toes smashing into my boots with every step. But I made it. Seven hours after I started, I reunited with Alan and Kodi. Big hugs. Big relief. Big sense of pride.
Final Feast & Farewell
We wrapped the day with a hearty dinner at Two Dog Flats — all wood beams, lodge vibes, and massive windows looking out on St. Mary Lake and the Lewis Range. The food hit just right. We crashed early and rolled out of the park the next morning toward Waterton Peace Park, the world’s first International Peace Park — a symbol of U.S.–Canada unity and a stunning, wild continuation of Glacier’s ecosystem. #GlacierPark #GoingtotheSunroad #Highlinetrail #LakeMcDonald #Hiddenlake #Avalanchelake #Twomedicine #Mountainvibes #Visitglacier #Loganpass
Trail rating: Epic. Painful. Worth every step.
Knees: Gone but not forgotten.
Huckleberry margarita: 10/10.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. With a battery pack.