Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 0 12 TIM RAINS /NPS JACOB W. FRANK by ASHLEY ARCEL T HERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT: GLACIER NATIONAL PARK IS A HIKER'S PARADISE. Ask most avid hikers, and they'll tell you that you can hike in Glacier for years without ever walking the same trail twice. If you're visiting the park this summer and looking for a scenic trek to take with your family, check out these accessible, stunning day hikes: One of Glacier's classic hikes, AVALANCHE LAKE is a simple, straightforward hike that offers stunning views and accessibility. The trail begins in the Lake McDonald Area, on the wheelchair-accessible trail of the Cedars Loop boardwalk. This one-mile segment of trail winds through ancient cedar trees, many of which are 100 feet tall or higher, and more than 500 years old. If you're out for a short jaunt, you can complete the loop and head back to your car. If you'd like to make your way to Avalanche Lake, though, you'll leave the TRAIL OF THE CEDARS behind and climb gradually along the crystal-clear waters of Avalanche Creek for about three-quarters of a mile. After that, the trail winds through an old-growth forest and across an avalanche path from 2011. Eventually, you reach the lake itself. The lake is known for its stunning "glacial milk" color, created by particles of light-colored silt suspended in the water. Fed by waterfalls that spill off of the Sperry Glacier, Avalanche Lake is an excellent place to enjoy a picnic and a leisurely summer afternoon. SPECS: 4.5-mile round-trip hike with a modest 730 feet of elevation gain. Bathrooms are available in the Lake McDonald Lodge area. INSIDER TIP: If you're hiking Avalanche Lake during peak season (June, July, or August), start the day early. Parking in the Lake McDonald area is limited and fills up quickly. 5 1 G L A C I E R ' S F I V E B E S T D A Y H I K E S TRAIL OF THE CEDARS AND AVALANCHE LAKE Avalanche Lake Trail of the Cedars

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