Thoughts of Summer - Glacier National Park - Two Medicine Hikes

The Two Medicine Valley is one of the best kept secrets of Glacier National Park making it is a great place for a quiet day hike.  Remember to wear comfortable hiking shoes,  take plenty take water, a snack or lunch, sunscreen, a hat, and bear spray. 

Oldman Lake Hike

6.1 miles one way

Elevation gain approximately 1468 feet

From the Two Medicine Campground this trail is reached by crossing the bridge below Pray Lake.  The trail starts by going right on the Pitamakan Pass Trail.  The trail turns up a Dry Fork Valley following along the base of Rising Wolf Mountain. at 1.3 miles  a series of falls come down the mountain and fade as the summer season advances. 


The trail then drops down to the valley floor at 1.6 miles and continues through forest and clearings below Rising Wolf Mountain.

The trails crosses Dry Fork at approximately 2.1 miles, then leaves the creek bottom and heads north up a rocky drainage to a junction....stay to the right at this junction.  Continue following this Pitimakan Pass Trail  as it climbs steadily and goes left up the valley - Red Mountain is on the right.  You will pass an unnamed lake sitting in a cirque on the side of Rising Wolf Mountain (you will not be able to see the water from the trail but you will be able to see the depression containing the lake).  The trail will next cross a large open area.

Now Pitamakan Pass Trail goes to the right - so follow the Oldman Lake trail to the left you will come to an open forest of whitebark pine then to the lake itself.  The far side of Oldman Lake abuts the steep slopes of Mount Morgan.

Scenic Point

3.6 miles one way

Elevation gain approximately 2099 feet

This hike follows the Mount Henry Trail from Two Medicine Road to Scenic Point.  The trail climb is long, steady and arduous.  The increasing panoramic views are worth the climb.

The trail head is 1/4 of a miles east of the ranger station on the south side of Two Medicine Road.  Go right on a short spur road looking for the Mount Henry Trail head about 50 feet in from the Two Medicine Road.

After passing though a forest for a short distance the trial crosses an area of young trees coming up through a litter of snags.  As the trail approaches Appistoki Creek you can see the effects of flooding in 1964 and 1975.  From here there is a short side trail that goes to the right overlooking Appistoki Falls - do not leave the Appistoki FAlls trail to get a better look - heed the warning signs as a slip could be fatal.

Go back to the main trail, now the Mount Henry Trail goes uphill to the left climbing steadily and soon begins a series of switchbacks and continues to climb and climb and climb.  This high country trail give an excellent example of the sub alpine and alpine conditions in Glacier National Park.

If you look back you will see Two Medicine Lake, Pray Lake, and a small portion of Upper Two Medicine Lake as well as several mountain peaks Appistoki, Sinopah, and Rising Sun.

Eventually you will leave all the trees behind as you continue to climb the trail.   This part of the trail can have very strong winds.   The trail tops out at about the 3 mile marker ending the steep climb.  Be careful not to slip on the steep talus slopes here and snow may even be on the trail - cross the snow carefully.  

Scenic Point is visible ahead.  

At 3.2 miles the trail swings out onto a broad, open rocky ridge.  At 3.6 miles the trail has reached the official "Scenic Point" and soon begins the descent towards East Glacier.  This is a great place for lunch and the turn around for you to head back down the trail.

Upper Two Medicine Lake

4.4 miles one way

Elevation gain approximately 331 feet

 

The trail head to Upper Two Medicine Lake begins west of the boat dock and camp supply store. Cross the bridge below Pray Lake and follow the Dawson Pass Trail to the left.  The trail follows above Two Medicine Lake.  The trail will begin to pull away from the lake and comes to a creek at about 2 miles.

2.9 miles on the trail the Dawson Pass Trail takes off the the right.

(At 3 miles you will encounter another trail that heads left back towards Two Medicine Lake....where you can make arrangements for a boat pick-up or drop-off  saving you hiking time if you choose.)

The trail crosses a tributary of Two Medicine Creek at 3.1 miles and Pumpelly Pillar is visible to the west.  3.2 miles a short side hike goes right to Twin Falls Junction. Return to the trail and continue on the trail heading toward Upper Two Medicine Lake. 

Bears often feed in this are - be sure you have your bear spray with you  - and be cautious, make noise and be alert for signs of bears.

Cobalt Lake Trail
5.7 miles one way
Elevation gain 1400 feet

The trail head is located west for the Two Medicine boat dock parking lot.  At two-tenths of a mile there will be a junction with the Paradise Point trail stay left for Colbalt Lake.  1.2 miles you will come to another junction with the Aster Falls trail stay right for Colbalt Lake.  You will cross Paradise Creek over a suspension bridge.  Coming to another junction with Two Medicine Pass trail at the 2.3 mile marker turn left for Cobalt Lake  (if you took the boat across Two Medicine Lake you will pick up the trail here.)

At 3.4 miles will be the junction to the Rockwell Falls spur.

Rockwell Falls

  The trail steeply climbs up from here and continues a gradual grade to Cobalt Lake 5.7 miles.

This moose was a nice surprise one day while hiking to Cobalt Lake.