July 10-15, 2024
Glacier Hike
Glacier & Waterton
About the Hike
Glacier National Park, Montana & Waterton National Park, CanadA
July 10 – 15, 2024
Whitefish, Montana
NEW! A charitable hiking challenge that explores the wildest national parks, Glacier and Waterton. With spectacular mountains, golden grasslands, and stunning wildflowers, every mile of this hike is a jaw-dropping celebration of our national parks. Our journey explores the picturesque beauty of Logan Pass, Many Glacier Valley, and Waterton Valley, with a chance to hike to one of Glacier’s iconic and threatened glaciers. This hike will build your stamina and energize philanthropic action for national parks, conservation, and climate awareness.
Can’t join us this year?
Event Details
Positive Planet Impact
Full Event Story
From the first moment we enter Glacier National Park, you will see that Climate Hike is more than a hiking trip — it’s an inspiring journey with fellow hikers who are united by their passion for the environment and preserving our planet for generations to come.
On Climate Hike Glacier, you’ll hike iconic trails on the ‘Crown of the Continent’. You’ll cover 40+ miles across the parks — traversing aretes and high alpine mountain passes and seeing glacial lakes and waterfalls. You’ll see majestic 500-year-old cedar forests under threat of wildfires and glaciers in fast retreat. Our guides will share knowledge about Glacier’s unique ecosystem, so you can bring this knowledge home to your community.
Photo Gallery
Itinerary Overview
Your Hike Guide will include full details, Itinerary subject to change
Day 1
Hike 5 or 12 miles
Rockwell Falls and Cobalt Lake
600-1450 ft gain
After meeting in Whitefish, we’ll start our adventure with a shuttle to East Glacier. Our first day’s ride will start near the original East Glacier Lodge and goes into Two Medicine where you’ll have a chance to dip your feet in the first of many beautiful lakes. We’ll camp near the shores of Lower Two Medicine Lake after an easy warm-up ride.
Day 2
Hike 19 miles
Dawson-Pitamakin Loop
3,900 ft gain
Short option
Hike 10 miles
No Name Lake
1,300 ft gain
The Dawson Pitamakan Loop is a must do for those looking for a serious adventure with the chance for some spectacular solitude and epic views. The trail features two incredible alpine passes, Dawson Pass and Pitamakan Pass, and multiple stunning lakes, including Two Medicine Lake, Oldman Lake and No Name Lake.
This evening, we’ll soak our feet in mountain streams before shuttling to our camp in St. Mary.
Day 3
Hike 12 miles
Grinnell Glacier
2,181 ft gain
Short option
Hike 7.5 miles
Grinnell Lake
300 ft gain
After a shuttle back to the Many Glacier Valley, we’ll begin our exploration of Grinnell Glacier, an iconic receding glacier hanging in the valley. This out and back hike will challenge and delight, and our Glacier Guides will show us firsthand the effects of climate change in the park. After the hike, we shuttle to our camp in Waterton.
Day 4
Layover Day in Waterton
Hike, bike or take a boat ride in a stunning alpine lake surrounded by peaks. Today is your day to explore Waterton on your own. In 1932, as war overtook Europe, the U.S. and Canada formed the world’s first international peace park joining Glacier and Waterton in an agreement of goodwill. Glacier and Waterton now play a prominent role in global conservation. These parks are poised to play a greater role in bringing nations together while providing important research about climate change.
Day 5
Hike 12 miles
Logan Pass / Highline Trail to the Loop
1,950 ft gain
The Highline is famous for a reason: it follows along the Continental Divide, also known as the Garden Wall, with exceptional views and excellent opportunities to see wildlife and wildflowers. We begin the day with a shuttle from Waterton to Logan Pass.
Day 6
Whitewater Rafting
Our final morning is time to rest our hiking feet and return to West Glacier by river. Today, we’ll travel by raft along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, viewing an ecosystem shaped by fire and rocks etched with the story of geologic time.
After lunch, we’ll say goodbye and provide transport back to Glacier International Airport (FCA) or Whitefish.
Ready to get started?
FAQs and More Info
Getting to Whitefish or West Glacier
July in Northwest Montana is a popular time because of the likelihood of good weather. We advise booking your travel and pre/post trip lodging asap. It can be very expensive if you do not book early. This area is rural – do not expect Uber/Lyft or regular taxi service.
PLANE: The closest airport is Glacier International Airport in Kalispell, Montana (airport code: FCA). The airport is a 20-minute drive to Whitefish or a 40-minute drive to West Glacier. Delta, United, Allegiant and Alaska/Horizon are the main carriers. There are several rental car companies at or near the airport. Reservations are highly advised. We recommend Dollar Rent A Car (800-800-3665), Avis (800-331-1212), or Budget (800-527-0700). Car rentals are also available in West Glacier. For a shuttle to and from the airport to West Glacier or Whitefish you may contact Arrow Shuttle (406-300-2301). Please call for exact rates and to reserve your taxi.
TRAIN: Amtrak has service from Seattle and Chicago to the Whitefish station or to West Glacier/Belton station (near where the trip starts). NOTE: Amtrak can be delayed several hours to days. There is no checked baggage service at the West Glacier/Belton stop.
CAR: You may park your vehicle in West Glacier while you are on Climate Hike. There is ample shaded and safe parking. Approximate driving times to West Glacier:
- Whitefish, MT – 40 minutes
- Missoula, MT – 3 hours
- Calgary, Alberta – 5 hours
- Spokane, WA – 5 hours
The Trip Start and End
Climate Hike Glacier begins in West Glacier, MT. We will offer pick-up in Whitefish and in West Glacier. Please arrive at the designated pick-up location with your luggage and ready to hike. We recommend you arrive in northwest Montana at least one day before the departure of your trip. Please be sure to read your hike guide so you know how to get to the pick-up locations.
Climate Hike will end back in West Glacier at approximately 1 PM on the final day. There, we’ll celebrate the end of the hike with a picnic lunch and group photo, before collecting our luggage/gear and departing. We recommend not making flight arrangements from the Glacier International Airport (FCA) before 3 PM. Will will offer a shuttle to FCA airport and to Whitefish.
Accommodations, Meals, Showers
Climate Hike Glacier is a 5-night, 6-day charitable hiking trip in Glacier & Waterton National Park. Imagine falling asleep under the stars, beneath the trees, in your own tent after an amazing day of hiking. It’s the best! In camp, we take care of all the details so you’re free to relax and connect with other participants.
NEW for 2024: The Glacier Hike and Glacier Ride will combine to share camps!
HOTELS:
If you are staying in West Glacier or Whitefish before or after the trip, please book your hotel rooms immediately. These areas do not have many hotels and they book up quickly.
If you want to stay in cabins or hotels during the trip, you must email your participant manager ASAP for the hotel list. You can book these are your own expense – it is not included. You must book early.
FOOD:
We camp at nearby ‘front country’ campgrounds where our camp chefs can prepare delicious, healthy, warm meals for the group. Think hot, filling breakfasts with coffee and tea, and tasty dinners with delicious desserts. Each morning you will pack snacks and a nourishing lunch to bring on the trail. Our morning snack table will have items to keep you energized all day while hiking. We reduce waste by using compostable items for our picnics and pack lunches, and for dinner, we use real plates & cutlery. The only thing we ask is that you help us by washing your own dishes – a small price to pay! Special drinks or alcohol are not included, but we’ll have a cooler where you keep any drinks you buy along the way.
SHOWERS:
We have hot showers on 3 of 5 nights. There are no showers available on night one or night 5, but there are lakes nearby. We suggest bringing body wipes if you need to clean up on these nights.
I don’t camp… is there a hotel option?
Yes! However, hotels in the area book up early. Email us for a lodging list. Participants must book at hotels on our list because they are in close proximity to our camps. You must book early and it is at your own expense.
How much do we shuttle each day?
Glacier National Park is huge, encompassing more than 1 million acres. In order to reach our trailheads, there will typically be up to an hour of shuttling each direction, each day. Shuttles are a great opportunity to see the full expanse of the park while learning from our Glacier Guides and connecting with your group.
Is this a backpacking trip?
It is a “front-country” camping trip. You will not be carrying a heavy pack, just a daypack with your water, food, rain gear etc. We camp at nearby ‘front country’ campgrounds with electricity, showers (most nights), and where our Guides can prepare delicious camp meals.
Do I need to be a serious hiker to do Climate Hike?
This is a beautiful and educational tour, not a race. Climate Hike is great for new and seasoned hikers. We have a shorter option and a longer option on most days. To have the best possible experience and to accomplish some of the more challenging options, it is important that you train for hiking. We’ll provide you with training tips and a packing list to make sure you have the right gear for the trail.
What is the hiking group size each day?
Due to trail restrictions that limit the number of hikers, our Glacier Guides may divide the group into smaller hiking groups based on your hiking ability. Every hike is beautiful and our job is to make sure you have a safe and memorable experience.
What do I need to bring?
We’ll provide you with a full packing list that will detail what clothes and items you should bring to have a comfortable trip.
Please bring your own tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. You can also rent camping gear from our local guides and it will be there for you at the trip start.
Fundraising Beneficiaries
Hikers can choose from the more than 100 incredible beneficiary organizations in our network! One of the things that make Climate Ride such an effective charitable event is that you can select the organization(s) you wish to fundraise for from our extensive list of beneficiary organizations. Our beneficiaries were selected for their work on the environment, conservation, sustainability, climate education, and active transportation advocacy. At the end of the year, Climate Ride grants the proceeds from our events to these hard-working organizations.
Fundraising and Transfer Deadlines | Important Dates
Fundraising Deadlines:
| $500 to be raised by: | 4/5/2024 |
| $1,600 to be raised by: | 5/6/2024 |
| Transfer Deadline: | 5/29/2024 |
| $3,200 to be raised by: | 6/19/2024 |
Learn more about deadlines and transfers on our Policies page.
Note: If you’d like to register after or near a fundraising deadline, don’t worry, we’re here to help you get up to speed!
More Questions?
Be sure to review our general FAQ and policies or contact us!
