Summer 2022
Climate Hike – Glacier National Park – Interest List
Spend six days cycling through Southern California’s beautiful desert landscapes
About the Ride
THIS IS FOR THE INTEREST LIST FOR CLIMATE HIKE GLACIER
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West Glacier, Montana
If you can’t join us for this hike this year but would like an update for when we offer this event again in the future, please sign up for updates! If you’re looking to register for this event this year, please check to see if spots are still available by going to the event list in our menu above. Climate Hike Glacier is a charitable hiking challenge that explores the wildest national park in the United States. 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 and the Many Glacier Valley, with a chance to hike to one of Glacier’s iconic and threatened glaciers. Your five days of hiking will build your stamina and energize philanthropic action for national parks, conservation, and climate awareness.
Event Details
Positive Planet Impact
Full Event Story
From the first moment when we enter Glacier National Park, you will see that Climate Hike is more than a hiking trip — it’s an inspiring journey with a small group of like-minded hikers who are united by their passion for the environment, sustainable transportation, renewable energy, and preserving our planet for generations to come.
On Climate Hike Glacier, you’ll spend four days hiking the iconic trails on the ‘Crown of the Continent’. You’ll see majestic 500-year old cedar forests under threat of wildfires and glaciers in fast retreat. Over four days of hiking, you’ll cover 40+ miles across the park — traversing aretes and high alpine mountain passes and glacier lakes and waterfalls. Professional Glacier Guides will accompany us on each day to teach us about Glacier’s unique ecosystem, so you can bring this knowledge home to your community.
Climate Ride takes care of all the details, so you can focus on fundraising, training, and then trekking 6-15 miles per day along carefully planned routes. Each day the group will be divided into smaller hiking groups led by a knowledgeable and friendly Glacier Guide. Our group hiking pace is at a minimum of 2-3 miles per hour and we have medium and long route options each day, designed for hikers who are in good health and regularly hike. You should be comfortable hiking a minimum of 8 miles a day and be able to ascend 1,500 feet in a normal day.
It’s meant to be challenging yet doable, and you have all day to hike and learn. Our support team is always nearby to assist you, keep you happy and healthy, and make your trek worry-free and memorable. The final day of the trip includes a beautiful 1/2 day rafting trip along the Class II-III section (moderate) of the Flathead River.
All breakfasts, dinners, packed lunches, snacks, camping, guiding, and shuttles are included. Participants must bring their own tent, sleeping bag, and pad or can rent this equipment in advance through Glacier Guides. Participants will carry just a daypack with snacks, water, and personal items while hiking. Our camp staff handles overnight luggage and all meals.
Climate Hikers will have access to our superb personal fundraising software and the full support of our team. On this event, you can choose from our full list of beneficiaries and proceeds will be distributed to the Climate Ride grants program based on your beneficiary selection. Participants may select their beneficiaries from our list of more than 100 extraordinary non-profit organizations.
Daily hiking mileages to suit all types of hikers. This is a fully supported hike which means you can focus on hiking and making connections with your new friends while we take care of everything from overnight details, meals, snacks, luggage transport, and much more to make your trip as enjoyable as possible. Learn more in the FAQ.
Photo Gallery
Itinerary Overview
Itinerary subject to change, your Ride Guide will include full details.
Hike 7.5 Miles to Virginia Falls – 500-700 feet of gain
Hikers will depart West Glacier, MT and enter Glacier National Park. After traveling along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, we begin with a warm-up hike to St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls to get our bodies moving and to start to meet the rest of our group.
This evening, we’ll meet at our camp in St. Mary to socialize, dine and tuck in for the night under the big sky.
Hike 15 Miles along the Highline Trail to Swiftcurrent Pass and down to Many Glacier – 1,700 feet of gain, 3,400 feet loss
Today begins with an early shuttle up the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass at nearly 7000 feet. Our skilled Glacier Guides will lead us on an all-day hike from the west side of the Continental Divide to the east side at Many Glacier Valley. We’re entering the country of mountain goats, bighorn sheep, wolverines, grizzly and black bears. Our epic day hiking will include forests, lakes, aretes, stunning vistas, and finally, an exhilarating descent into Many Glacier. This steep and swift downhill makes for our most challenging hike.
This evening, we’ll soak our feet in mountain streams before shuttling to our camp in St. Mary.
Hike 12 Miles to Grinnell Glacier – 2,181 feet of 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.
Tonight we return to our camp in St. Mary.
Hike 5 or 12 Miles to Cobalt Lake – 1,450 feet of gain
Today brings a new hiking challenge in the Two Medicine Valley, a spectacular and less visited part of Glacier National Park. Two Medicine Valley is particularly special to the Blackfeet Nation, whose reservation borders the eastern side of Glacier National Park. We’ll learn about Blackfeet history as we begin our last hike in this valley. You will have the option of various hikes today. The longer option is a gentle hike to a beautiful alpine lake or waterfall, while the shorter option is a steep climb up to an incredible vantage point with panoramic views.
Tonight we shuttle to a new camp in the Browning area.
Whitewater Rafting
Our final morning is time to rest our hiking feet and return to West Glacier by river. With the Glacier Guides, 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 Kalispell or Whitefish.
Ready to get started?
FAQs and More Info
Getting to West Glacier
PLANE: The closest airport is 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). To West Glacier, the cost is approximately $123. To Whitefish, the cost is approximately $46. Please call for exact rates and to make a reservation. 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 at the trip start 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
Climate Hike Glacier begins in West Glacier, MT. Please arrive in West Glacier with your luggage and ready to hike. We recommend you arrive in northwest Montana at least one day before the departure of your trip.
After the Hike in West Glacier
Climate Hike will end back in West Glacier at approximately 1pm 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 Kalispell Airport (FCA) before 4pm.
Accommodations & Meals
Climate Hike Glacier is a 4-night, 5-day charitable hiking trip in Glacier 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 Climate Hikers.
We have secured wonderful campgrounds that provide us with access to the best trails, as well as hot showers, electricity, potable water and a great spot to set up your tent.
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!
On Climate Hike Glacier, camp becomes a dynamic community. Hiking in Glacier doesn’t get better than on Climate Hike.
I don’t camp… is there a hotel option?
Yes! However, hotels in the area book up early. Email a lodging list. 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, and where our Guides can prepare delicious camp meals.
Do I need to be a serious hiker to do Climate Hike?
Absolutely not! 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 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 (and pick it up) from the hiking guides 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: | TBD |
| $1,500 to be raised by: | TBD |
| $3,000 to be raised by: | TBD |
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!