Apgar Lookout Hike at Glacier National Park
6/13/2020
Distance from Mt. Forge: 1.5 hour drive
Apgar Lookout Hike at Glacier National Park
*** Hiking Safely In Grizzly Country
We got to the park around 8am and the Lake McDonald Lodge was already full. Due to the COVID crisis, Going-to-the-Sun Road was closed beyond the Lodge so we decided to do the Apgar Lookout trail instead. Getting to the trail was pretty easy, but be sure not to miss the turn (like we did). It’s the very first left turn shortly after going through the gate at the West Entrance of Glacier National Park.
Once we started the hike, I realized that I forgot my water bottle. I didn’t feel like going back to get it because Nicole had hers and we carry a Life Straw. Since we usually cross a creek or two and refill I wasn’t concerned. Well, we crossed a creek early in the hike and we didn’t cross another. Luckily I was pretty well hydrated and we got out early in the morning, but the hike isn’t very shaded. It gets very hot in the summer, so long story short, bring water!
After hiking about two miles along relatively flat area that is regrowth from a forest fire, the hike gets pretty steep. It’s a few switchbacks and pretty intense, but not as crazy as the Sperry Chalet. We saw a good amount of people and we assumed it probably gets more crowded as the day goes on. It took about 2 hours to get to the lookout and the view was spectacular. There’s a tower at the top as well as a bathroom and it’s an epic place to eat lunch. The views of Lake McDonald and all of Glacier National Park are amazing.
