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A wonderfully varied trail through a forest, past a lake, and up rocky slopes to a red rock pass.


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Map Key

15.1

Miles

24.4

KM

Point to Point

7,520' 2,292 m

High

4,914' 1,498 m

Low

3,522' 1,073 m

Up

2,415' 736 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

35%

Max Grade (19°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Bring bear spray.

Description

This trail is one of the few higher elevation backpacking routes that opens up early in the season. Before you enter into the Many Glacier area with the hotels, park at the Apikuni Falls Trailhead.

The trail takes off through the trees and spends time bouncing between forest and meadows as you gain elevation. Views are frequent and wonderful up onto the ridgeline and some out to Lake Sherburne. As you approach the top of the ridge, the trail levels off as you pass a surprise lake called Swiftcurrent Ridge Lake. The trail follows the shoreline for a short stint, then continues through a small pass, then begins to descend along the north ridge down to Poia Lake.

The trail descends the ridge fairly rapidly to Kennedy Creek, which playfully bubbles out of the valley. You follow this creek through large, limestone boulder fields that are perfect pika habitat. The views of the surrounding mountains are fantastic.

The trail goes through some trees again and to the campground, then emerges through some willows at the outlet of the lake. The lake is a fantastic place to take a swim with a nice pebbled beach and warm waters in summer. Continue on to a cool footbridge over the outlet of the lake which is a nice place to sit and enjoy the views up the drainage towards Red Gap Pass as well as the whitewater of Kennedy Creek as it excitedly exits down the valley.

The trail continues right along the edge of the lake giving hikers more great views. At the head of the lake, you pass wetlands that turn to grass as you work your way up the valley. The trail is fairly level while you follow the creek further up and the grassy meadows turn more and more into trees.

The trail then turns up onto the hillside and begins to climb in earnest. You'll be climbing for quite a while before reaching the first switchback, but then the trail switchbacks like crazy. The trees begin to get less and less dense as it gives way to sprawling alpine meadows. As you get closer to the pass, the meadows give way to the namesake red rock.

As you crest the pass, the views are incredible with jagged peaks and glaciers visible in all directions. The trail descends through similar red rock and across a cool basin, then drops quickly down into the Belly River drainage through trees as it joins with the Ptarmigan Trail.

This content was created by Jake Bramante of Hike 734. Visit hike734.com for more expert Glacier content and maps that help you decide which trail to hike.

Flora & Fauna

On this trail you can see just about any of Glacier's megafauna from grizzlies to elk to mountain goats. Small mammals such as tree squirrels, pikas, marmots and chipmunks are also common. Birds such as boreal chickadees, clark's nutcrackers and some other fantastic forest birds as well as warblers and waterfowl call this area home. Flora is also varied from meadow flowers to dry forest plants and flowers to wetland and even low growing alpine plants.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jake Bramante

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 3 votes

#5

in Many Glacier

#883

Overall
  5.0 from 3 votes
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Trail Rankings

#5

in Many Glacier

#26

in Montana

#883

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2,639 Since Apr 22, 2016
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Photos

Trip video of the Poia Lake/Elizabeth Lake/Ptarmigan Tunnel loop with Iceberg Lake.
Jun 14, 2016 near Swiftcu…, MT
View looking west from Red Gap Pass.
Jun 10, 2016 near Swiftcu…, MT
Apikuni Falls trailhead
Sep 26, 2022 near Swiftcu…, MT
The trail starts in a meadow that is full of wildflowers in the spring. It's a nice start to a steep trail.
Jul 9, 2018 near Swiftcu…, MT

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Jun 21, 2023
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