Ready for a scenic backpacking route in Glacier National Park?

This is a point-to-point traverse over Gunsight Pass… alpine views, waterfalls, turquoise lakes, and a true backcountry experience.

This is a DIY-style trip… meaning you bring your own gear, food, and personal setup… and we handle the permits and group coordination.

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✈️ Travel Details

Fly into: Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, Montana (FCA)
Arrival Date: September 12, 2026
If you arrive earlier, book your own accommodations before 9/12
We’ll coordinate shared rental cars for the group.
No Electric. Bring power banks & a solar panel you can use while hiking. Campsites likely to be shady.
Showers 30 min drive from Avalanche campground - in Apgar Campground
Max 8 people

Weather: We're going at the end of the season so there is a chance for snow. Which I feel like we could really appreciate after a long Houston Summer! :) We added a bit to this, but check out this blog post for an idea of the hike: https://roamingbearmedia.com/2018/09/22/gunsight-pass-trail-point-to-point-hike/

🏕️ Itinerary & Campsites

Overall: 28 miles
Total Accent: 5,733 ft
Total Decent: 7,277 ft
3 backpacking nights
2 car camping nights
Max 8 people!

Avalanche Campground:

Avalanche Lake Trail in Glacier National Park – Just Go Travel Studios

🟢 9/12 – Arrival + Car Camping

Campground: Avalanche Campground (Site B84)
Meet the group, gear check, organize packs

🥾 9/13 – Backpack Day 1

JOE Trailhead → Gunsight Lake (GUN)

Distance: ~7 miles
Elevation: ~4,500 ft → ~5,300 ft
Gain: ~1,000 ft

🏕️ Camp: Gunsight Lake (No Campfires)

🥾 9/14 – Backpack Day 2 (Big Day)

Gunsight Lake → Lake Ellen Wilson (ELL) via Gunsight Pass

Distance: ~7–8 miles
Elevation: ~5,300 ft → ~6,950 ft (pass) → ~5,800 ft
Gain: ~1,300 ft; Downhill: ~1,000
Steepest section: ~550–600 ft per mile sustained

🏕️ Camp: Lake Ellen Wilson (No Campfires)

Lake Ellen Wilson, Glacier National Park

🥾 9/15 – Backpack Day 3

Lake Ellen Wilson → Snyder Lake (SNY) via Lincoln Pass

Distance: ~10 miles
Elevation: ~5,800 ft → ~7,050 ft → ~3,900 ft
Gain: ~1,100 ft
Downhill: ~3,000+ ft
Gain: ~1,200 ft

🏕️ Camp: Snyder Lake (No Campfires)

🥾 9/16 – Hike Out + Car Camping

Snyder Lake → Lake McDonald area

Distance: ~5.–6 miles
Downhill: ~1,800ft

🚗 Return to:

Avalanche Campground (Site B84) for final night

🗺️ Route Map + Stats

Use this map for full route details (distance, elevation profile, and navigation):

👉 https://connect.garmin.com/app/course/447546515

🚐 Shuttle Information

This is a point-to-point hike, so we will need to coordinate transportation.

Glacier has a free shuttle system along Going-to-the-Sun Road: 👉 https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/shuttles06.htm

We will coordinate as a group using:

Shuttle system (if timing works)
OR car shuttles between trailheads

🎒 Gear & Trip Style (IMPORTANT)

This is a DIY backpacking trip:

You must bring:

Backpacking pack
Tent / sleep system
Cooking setup
Food

👉 HTXO has 2 loaner backpacks available upon request

🍽️ Food & Water

Food

Bring your own backpacking meals
Think:
- Boil water meals
- No-cook options

Water

Bring a reliable water filter
Water sources are frequent
👉 You should only need to carry ~1 day of water at a time

🐻 Bear Safety (READ THIS)

Bear spray is strongly recommended
Keep it in an easy-access location (not buried in your pack)
Practice using it BEFORE the trip
Know:
- How to deploy it
- When to use it

🦌 Wildlife

This area is active grizzly bear habitat, along with:

Moose
Mountain goats
Bighorn sheep

What this means:

Make noise on trail
Stay aware, especially mornings/evenings
Never approach wildlife
Store food properly at camp

👉 This is part of what makes Glacier incredible… and requires respect

💰 Expenses

Permit Fee: $40/person - Pay below
- Includes 2 car camping sites, 3 backpacking permits, firewood for car camping.
- Add a note if you’re sharing a tent
- Space is limited so no refunds
Flight: ~$500–800
Food: DIY
Rental Car: Shared among group
Gear: Your responsibility (unless borrowing pack)

⚠️ Difficulty Level

Intermediate; Backpacking experience required. We do have time to train and get ready so reach out to Amy with questions.
Expect:
- Long hiking days
- Sustained climbs (especially Day 2)
- Significant elevation changes

👉 You should be comfortable hiking:

8–10+ miles
With a loaded pack
In mountain terrain

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