Home » Adventures » Glacier Highline Trail » Dawson Pass

Route I hiked this day

I climbed the well built path above Pitamakan Lake to the similarly named Pass, before rising even further to the gap above Cut Bank Pass. Here on the west side of Mount Morgan were grand, expansive views into the middle of Glacier. The trail on this side of the mountain was narrow and along a steep slope — sometimes a cliff — but was completely free of any obstructions.

After crossing Dawson Pass I descended into the valley, finishing along Two Medicine Lake’s northern shoreline. My backcountry permit had me staying at Two Medicine campground, but after a brief rest I elected to push further towards East Glacier. I ate the last of my food during this break, and of course the store here was already closed for the season. Getting to town early would alleviate some hunger pains tomorrow. Also, trail rumor said East Glacier was mostly shutdown for the season already, so even finding food might be troublesome.

I made the last climb out of Glacier up to the aptly named Scenic Point. The views back over Two Medicine Lake should have been amazing, but were washed out by the setting sun. Instead I waited up top and caught a magnificent sunset as the sun colored the hazy mountains red. I said goodbye to Glacier National Park as I came off that ridge — feeling sadder here than at the end of the PCT— and squatted a couple miles further down trail. I had no food left and disposed of my garbage in Two Medicine, so almost no smellables were in my pack.