Winter Hiking in Glacier National Park to a frozen Fish Lake

Radd Icenoggle

January 6, 2021

Hiking

It has been more than a year (thanks COVID) since we have hiked inside Glacier National Park, and the second to last day of 2020 seemed an appropriate day to break the slump. We decided on the hike to Fish Lake due mostly to the length of daylight and accessibility, and this 6-mile out-and-back trail did not disappoint. The hemlocks were draped with powder and the trail was worn but not icy (who could expect any more). We were joined by John of the Witness Protection Program.

Getting There

Starting at the Lake McDonald Lodge, the hike to Fish Lake in Glacier National Park begins from the Sperry Trailhead, located across the road from the lodge parking lake.

The Trail

Distance – 6 miles
Elevation Gain – 1,268 Feet
Type – Out and Back

Climbing from the get-go, the trail passes through an old-growth forest of red cedar, and western hemlock, which transitions to a dense spruce-fir forest as the trail ascends. Less than a mile from the trailhead, you enter the burned area from the 2017 Sprague Fire. Starting with a lightning strike on August 10 on the north side of Sprague Creek, the wildfire burned 16,982 acres over 2 months and destroyed the Sperry Chalet.

After hiking a shade more than 1.5 miles, you arrive at the Mt. Brown Trail junction, and head to the right for a few hundred yards until you reach the Snyder Lake Trail junction. From here you cross over Snyder Creek by a great little bridge called Crystal Ford. From here it is a straight shot to Fish Lake through a beautiful spruce-fir forest.

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Hiking