Trailhead
This hike begins near Lake McDonald Lodge 9.9 miles from the west entrance or 38.3 miles from the east entrance. Use the lodge parking lot near the Going-to-the-Sun Road and then look for the Sperry Trail across the road.
Hike Summary
| Total Distance: 5.4 miles |
| Total Elevation Gain: 1,152 feet; Loss: 214 feet |
| Difficulty: 7.7, moderate (Calculated using Petzoldt’s Energy Rated Mile equation.) |
| Total Walking Time: 2 hours 45 minutes (Calculated using an average moving speed of 2.5 mph and Naismith’s correction for elevation gain.) |
The Hike
Although this trail scores a moderate rating, it gains 974 feet of elevation in just 1.7 miles. If the hike was two miles longer, I would put it into the strenuous category.
As you start out, you’ll spot the Swan Mountain Outfitters, Lake McDonald Corral, on your left. If you’d like to see some of Glacier on horseback, they can help you out.
Redcedar, hemlock, larch, and white pine dominate the forest here. At 0.7 miles in, you’ll notice the blackened tree trunks from the 2017 Sprague Fire. A lightning strike in early August of that year started the blaze. In this area, a lot of the older trees survived creeping flames. The fire prepped the forest floor for fresh growth, as evidenced by many young larch trees.
The Mount Brown Trail leaves the Sperry Trail at 1.6 miles and the Snyder Lake Trail a tenth of a mile farther. From there, the trail drops to Snyder Creek. Cross the bridge, then look right for the Snyder Ridge Trail. It will take you to Fish Lake. If you go left, you’ll end up at Sperry Chalet after 4.4 miles.
Two lakes, a stream and a ridge bear the name Snyder. Who was this guy? Well, it was George Snyder. In 1894, at 23, he left Wisconsin for the west to find his fortune. Within a few years, he built the first hotel on the shores of Lake McDonald (on the site where a Mr. Lewis had Lake McDonald Lodge built). He also operated the first steamship on Lake McDonald to bring visitors and supplies to his hotel. Snyder lost the hotel in 1906 under mysterious circumstances. Later on, he started a hostel and controversial pub at the west entrance to the park. Snyder clashed with park authorities more than once and eventually they sent him packing.1
Once on the Snyder Ridge Trail to Fish Lake, you’ll climb 150 feet in a quarter of a mile. Then, it’s like entering a fairy-tale forest. Mushrooms and moss thrive in the cool and damp microclimate of this ancient cedar forest. The lush growth is atop the moraine created by the McDonald Valley glacier, which was over 2,000 feet thick 20,000 years ago.2
The last leg is a peaceful walk through the cedars. When you reach the serene little body of water, you’ll see several options for getting to the shoreline below. The far right path leads to a small beach that gets some afternoon sun. I visited here on a cool autumn day and welcomed the warmth as I took in the view and had a bite to eat.
Notes
- Franz, Justin. “The Legend of George Snyder.” Flathead Beacon, April 11,2017. https://flatheadbeacon.com/2017/04/11/legend-george-snyder/
- Raup, Omer B., Robert L. Earhart, James W. Whipple, and Paul E. Carrara. Geology Along Going-to-the-Sun Road Glacier National Park, Montana. West Glacier, MT: Glacier Natural History Association, 1983.
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