Swiftcurrent Creek and the Lakes hike

Route Description for Swiftcurrent Creek and the Lakes hike

Yet another wonderful hike in the Many Glacier area. This takes you out along a pleasant river, past several scenic lakes that often have game, and then to the base of a grueling pass.

Head to the far (western) end of the parking lot in front of Swiftcurrent Motor Lodge. If you’ve been camping in the Many Glacier campground, you are lucky, so reward yourself with coffee from the Gift Shop beside the Motel office first.

Follow a well-defined path, and almost immediately you will cross a bridge over Wilbur Creek. There is a path down through the forest on your right to Fishercap Lake, however we prefer to continue straight ahead. Follow the (sometimes) redrock path, and after 1.6mi you will come to the lovely Redrock Lake, flanked by Grinnell Mountain with Grinnell Point towering over it. The lake is fed at the far end by Swiftcurrent Creek and it’s easy to see where it gets the name – from the lovely rock that takes on a magical hue early and late in the day.

A bit farther on, at roughly 1.9mi from the start, you will come to Redrock Falls. While not the massive falls seen elsewhere in the park, these are beautiful and a good place for a break.

From here, you have 1.6mi through a mix of forest and shrubs up to and beside Bullhead Lake. There are views in all directions at times, with Mount Wilbur on your right, Mount Swiftcurrent dead ahead and Mount Grinnell on your left.

You will pass a suspension bridge, which is really bouncy just before reaching the viewpoint for Bullhead Lake (3.4mi from start). This area has some large rocks, and is the perfect place to take a rest. Look carefully across the lake here, as moose often spend a quiet morning on the far shores. You may even see a bull moose if you’re lucky.

Continue ahead along the path. Cross and re-cross a few streams on rocks before arriving at the base of the switchbacks, which is roughly 4.0mi from the start. From here you can take a break, examining the wonderful mountains, lakes and streams around you.

Return the way you came and head into the store at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn for a snack!

Insider Hints

• Watch for game early and late in the day across the lakes you pass by.

• Stay in Many Glacier if you can, we really like Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.

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Wyatt Thomas 4 months ago

Swiftcurrent Creek and the Lakes hike is a great day in many glacier.

9.0 Overall Rating

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SJ 5 months ago

Loved the Many Glacier Area and the Swiftcurrent Creek hike was a great way to spend the day.

9.0 Overall Rating

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stocRob 5 months ago

Easy walks around the lakes. Weather was great, lots of people

8.0 Overall Rating

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4h 00m Time Taken

Ronny 5 months ago

the Swiftcurrent creek was nice and easy. Really needed a chilling hike after a few harder ones. My wife really loved the forest and the fresh air on this part of Glacier.

8.0 Overall Rating

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3h 30m Time Taken

Burokai 5 months ago

Nice walk, not too hard. Loved all those creeks, saw some trouts chilling in the water next to the shore

9.0 Overall Rating

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3h 00m Time Taken

5 Comments