Siyeh Pass

Route Description for Siyeh Pass

Few people dot Siyah Pass, propelling more bears—including grizzly bears—to pepper the landscape. It's also crucial to note that this trail can experience snow early and later on in the hiking season, so be prepared for all weather conditions!

However, the lack of people spanning the trail only adds to the spectacularity! Glacier National Park becomes a hot hiking commodity throughout the summer, but Siyeh Pass rarely attracts a lot of traffic, granting you a chance to totally bask in nature.

The route starts at Siyeh Bend, and it is a one way, which means you either need to have two cars or take the shuttle from Sunrift Gorge back to Siyeh Bend. If you are taking the shuttle, be sure to start your hike early so you can complete your walk and get the shuttle back.

The first part of the trail follows Siyeh Creek before making a sharp right into the forest. After a little less than a mile, there is an intersection with Piegan Pass Trail, to continue towards Siyeh Pass turn left, the trail to the right will take you to the Jackson Glacier overlook.

Continuing towards Siyeh Pass, you will spend roughly another 1.5 mi in a dense spruce-fir forest before turning right at the Siyeh Pass Trail Junction. Right around this junction, the forest starts to thin, and within 0.2 mi of the junction, you will come to a valley full of wildflower meadows known as Preston Park.

Continue along the path. Eventually, you will cross Siyeh Creek, and shortly after the creek, the main ascent of roughly 1,100 ft over 1.5 mi to Siyeh Pass will begin. This is the toughest part of the hike, but the views from the top of Siyeh Pass are definitely worth the climb.

From the top of the pass, follow the trail around Matahpi Peak, where you will find a cairn marking the pass. Find a spot to enjoy a snack and take in the views before beginning the descent to Sunrift Gorge.

The descent drops just over 1,400 ft in about 2.5 mi over a series of steep switchbacks. At the bottom of the 2.5 mi, things level out for the remainder of the hike back to the GTTSR where you will either have a car or catch a shuttle back to Siyeh Bend.

Find more epic hikes in Glacier National Park

• Grinnell Glacier
• Hidden Lake Overlook
• Ptarmigan Tunnel
• Iceberg Lake
• St Mary and Virginia Falls
• Piegan Pass

Insider Hints for Siyeh Pass

• This direction takes away a lot of elevation gain, but has you descending steep switchbacks at the end. Depending on how well your knees fair with a steep and long descent, it may be worth going the other direction.