Hiking Glacier National Park: Avalanche Lake
One of the most popular hikes in Glacier National Park, Avalanche Lake is around a 6 mile round-trip hike through the forest- and the hike begins on a trail that is aptly called Trail of the Cedars.
The hike to Avalanche lake is very manageable and I would rate it an easy-moderate. There are slight inclines but nothing major, and the trail is very well established with not a lot of rocks and roots to maneuver over. Start on Trail of the Cedars (which is a small loop trail), and once you reach a fork, go towards Avalanche Lake Trail and there are no turns after that.
Once you get to the lake, you are greeted with towering snowcapped mountain views, and vibrant blue-green waters. If you look closely (and bring some binoculars), you may find some mountain goats hanging out on the cliffs of Bearhat Mountain.
As with any glacial lake the water is terribly cold, but depending when you go- it could be a good refresher! Even when I went in October, someone hopped in for a dip.
Trail map via All Trails
PARKING
I went in mid October at the end of the season and the trail was not busy but the parking lot was quite full. Enter from the West Entrance and parking is right off of the Going the Sun Road, by the Avalanche Lake camp site.
MILEAGE
Around 6 miles round trip. More if you walk to the end of the lake.
ELEVATION
3,905′
TERRAIN
A very well established, hard packed trail. You could honestly take a stroller on it, though it would be a bumpy ride and a few places you would need to lift it up.
THE VIEWS
The Little Matterhorn and Bearhat Mountain, waterfalls from Sperry Glacier