We will hike the Hidden Pass trail to the first switchback on the descent to Hidden Lake. We'll leave the trail there and scramble to Bird Woman Pass. From here, we'll scramble near the ridgetop, sometimes on thin goat trails to the summit. Total elevation gain is 2,114 feet with 8 miles round trip. Allow 7-8 hours at a moderate pace.

Logan Pass

Baring Point is an unnamed ridge above Sunrift Gorge and is on the GMS Glacier Peak List. After bushwhacking through forest and avalanche slopes, we'll ascend low Class 3 cliffs (one of which is a little tricky) to reach the south face and continue up scree slopes to the summit. The coordinator will carry a short rope if needed for a short belay. Expect a relaxed pace, 8-hour trip and enjoyable views of St. Mary Lake, Sexton Glacier and Going-to-the-Sun Mountain's east face. Round trip is 2 1/2 miles with 2,400 feet elevation gain.

St. Mary Valley

F

We will meet at the Lubec trailhead at the false summit on Highway 2 west of East Glacier. A combination of trails and open slopes will lead us to a pass at the south end of Calf Robe Mountain, then a scramble across open meadows and scree slopes to the top of Skeleton Mountain which is just north of Summit Mountain. Return will be via game trails to Firebrand Pass and the trail back to Lubec. Round-trip distance is about 13 miles with elevation gain of 3,400 feet. A moderate pace will allow about 8-9 hours for the trip.

Highway 2

We'll hike from Siyeh Bend up the trail and leave the trail to ascend the big bowl between Matahpi Peak and Going-to-the-Sun Mountain. From the saddle, we'll follow up near the ridge to the summit of Matahpi Peak. On descent, we will explore for a possible route to Siyeh Pass. Round-trip distance is about 6 miles with an elevation gain of 3,515 feet. Plan on 6-8 hours at a moderate pace.

St. Mary Valley

The climb of Mount Helen is a long hike, but most of it is on trail. We will begin at the Pray Lake trailhead and follow
the trail to Dawson Pass. From the Pass, it is a little less than a mile off trail in gentle terrain to the summit of Mount Helen. The roundtrip distance is about 14 miles and elevation gain is 3,400 feet. A leisurely pace is planned with lots of time for camaraderie and enjoying the colorful Two Med area. The time required will depend somewhat on the group, but you should allow 8-10 hours for the trip.

Two Medicine

This route starts with the traditional climb (grassy ramp route) of Grinnell Point. We will then wander westward on or near ridgeline for over a mile to the highest point (7,957) on Grinnell Point with several challenging pitches along the way. We then descend to the saddle between Grinnell Point and Mount Grinnell and drop down through broken cliffs and steep slopes to the Grinnell Glacier Trail. Expect a relaxed pace, great views and an 8 to 9-hour day. Total distance is 7+ miles and 3,000 vertical feet. NOTE: Helmets required.

Many Glacier

F

Ascend Clements via the East Face Couloir Route. Following a couple of Class 4 pitches low in the couloir, the route becomes easier in the upper reaches. The descent to Bird Woman Pass following the west ridge includes exposure along the north-side goat trail. Ascend Cannon via the southeast shoulder. Descend to Bird Woman Pass and the Hidden Lake Trail. Expect: 3,400 feet total elevation gain; a round-trip distance of 10.5 miles; a full day at a moderate pace.

Logan Pass

An approach of Morgan up the Dry Fork to Pitamakan Pass, find the break in the cliff band, then to the summit. A scramble down to Cut Bank Pass and a "sprint" up to McClintock's summit. A long trek (18 miles total), 3,900 vertical feet total elevation gain requiring a consistent pace with the reward of two summits.

Two Medicine

We'll climb up from lower Apikuni cirque and traverse the forest there to lovely Natahki Lake. After lunch at the lake, we'll ascend the grassy ramp to the saddle between Altyn Peak and Mount Henkel. From there it is a pleasant uphill stroll to Altyn Peak. The famous red scree escalator will take us down to the grassy slopes below Mount Henkel and to the maintained trail back to Swiftcurrent. Please shuttle as many hikers as possible to the Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint pull off so we do not block other visitors' parking all day. We will not descend back to that location. Total distance is 5 1/2 miles with elevation gain of 3,049 feet. Plan on about 8 hours at a moderate pace.

Many Glacier

We'll ascend the trail from the Lake McDonald trailhead to Comeau Pass. From there we'll climb to the summit of Gunsight Mountain. This route is long. It gains a total of about 6,000 vertical feet, but all except the last 1,240 feet are on trail. Round-trip distance is 18 miles, with all but about two miles of it ON trail. This climb is suitable for intermediate mountaineers who are familiar with ice axe usage. Because of the distance, expect to be clipping along at a steady quick pace for a 12-hour day. NOTE: Ice axes required.

Lake McDonald

F

We'll go up the South Ridge Route from the saddle between Clements and Oberlin and descend via the southeast slope trail. There are several Class 3 pitches on the ridge route. From the Climber's Guide: "This is probably the shortest and easiest climb in Glacier National Park, but affords excellent scenic opportunities." Some folks climb this one every year. Round-trip distance is less than 4 miles with elevation gain of 1,534 feet. We'll take a leisurely pace with lots of time to enjoy the great views and camaraderie.

We will maintain a moderate to brisk pace on this exploratory trip. The route will cross the saddle between Divide and White Calf Mountains. We will descend to Divide Creek and then take the northeast ridge to the summit. Climbers need to be prepared for a creek crossing, a bushwhack and should wear clothing that can stand a few soot smudges. Total elevation gain is about 4,000 feet and round-trip distance 9-10 miles. NOTE: All participants will need to purchase a Blackfeet Tribal Permit prior to the climb.

We will hike the boardwalk/trail to Hidden Pass and descend to near the end of the first big switchback toward Hidden
Lake. Here we leave the maintained trail and enjoy an ascent of about a thousand vertical feet of scrambling, often following ascending game trails toward Bird Woman Pass. We'll take a leisurely pace to view the great scenery and visit with friends. Total elevation gain is about 1,800 feet and round-trip distance 5 miles. Plan on 6 to 8 hours for this hike.

St. Mary

Weather permitting, we will meet at 6 p.m. for this informal gathering. Count on SMORES, Sloppy Joes, baked beans and other yummy items generously prepared by GMS member Jo Ellen. You may certainly bring your own items to cook out as well.

Many Glacier

This is a classic hike-climb for the traditional GMS "Family Day" Sunday event. Scramble from the trail up a dry gully, along a horizontal game trail and then ascend a little Class 3 pitch to gain access to some "resting rocks." The route then ascends easily to the base of "Schwab Falls". A short escalade leads to the major game trail up the valley past Falling Leaf Lake to the luncheon site by the outlet of Snow Moon Lake. A high, spectacular game trail will be used on the return, with a good scree run down to the trees south of the Many Glacier Hotel. Round-trip distance is 4 1/2 miles with 1,800 feet elevation gain. Anticipate a relaxed pace and 6 to 7 hours for the trip.

Many Glacier