Glacier National Park - Highline Trail (Logan Pass to Haystack Pass)
By MikeHikes on 9/9/2017
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.60 Miles Duration: N/A
The trail is described in detail in various books and websites related to Glacier National Park; this report deals with my impression of the trail.
We hiked only a portion of the trail due to the wildfires and road closures in the park so my mileage is for the distance from Logan Pass to Haystack Pass, turn around and follow the same route back.
First and foremost, DO NOT expect solitude! Even with the wildfires, which closed the western portion of the park, as well as the day of the hike being a workday, we had a lot of company on the hike. Everyone was pleasant and courteous but I'm used to seeing few, if any, people when I hike so this was a shock. The photos I hoped to take were not possible due to the smoke from the wildfires - I can only imagine what the views are when the air is clear! The air quality was not the best but do-able for a hike.
The trail for the most part was smooth and easy to hike. There were a few parts where you went up for a ways before leveling off. The most "extreme" ascent was the switchback right before you get to Haystack Pass. As we hiked, the trail gives you different views of the scenery - in some portions, you are looking out over vast distances, other portions restrict your views to a frontal view only. The vegetation changes as well with sparse or no vegetation to somewhat lush greenery nearby. There are plenty of places where you can stop, rest a bit and enjoy the view.
We saw a single mountain goat when we stopped at Haystack Pass as well as an eagle flying overhead. A few Columbian ground squirrels scampered about as well.
This is one of the "must do" hikes in the park and I recommend you do further research to decide which is the best way for you to tackle this hike. Our original plan, based on recommendations given on the Web, was to park our vehicle at The Loop, take the park shuttle (free) to Logan Pass and hike back to The Loop - a trek that was listed at 11+ miles one way. The author said this was the best way to hike this trail as you went downhill more than uphill.