Hiking the Iceberg Lake Trail in Glacier National Park
Distance: 9.6 miles / 15.4 km
Elevation Gain: ~1,200 ft. / 366 m
The Iceberg Lake Trail in Glacier National Park is the easiest of the three most popular hikes out of Many Glacier, which include Iceberg and Cracker Lake, as well as the Grinnell Glacier Trail.
In my opinion, Grinnell Glacier is the most challenging of the three.
This has less to do with the shorter distance and more to do with elevation gain being spread out over the entire hike, instead of being concentrated in a smaller area.
Iceberg Lake Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Iceberg Lake Trail is located at the very end of Many Glacier Road, in the joint Iceberg-Ptarmigan Trailhead parking lot.
Space is very limited at the official Iceberg Trailhead; therefore, cars typically spill over into the Swiftcurrent Trailhead/ Motor Inn parking lot.
Google Maps Directions: Iceberg Lake Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Glacier
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Glacier National Park.
Hiking the Iceberg Lake Trail
Swiftcurrent Pass-Iceberg/ Ptarmigan Junction
Immediately after beginning the hike, the Iceberg Lake Trail splits with the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail.
Go right to stay on the Iceberg Lake Trail.
Then, go left again to keep on the shortest route.
Iceberg-Ptarmigan Junction
At the third junction, go left to continue hiking toward Iceberg Lake and the Ptarmigan Tunnel.
Personally, I like to hike the Iceberg Lake Trail first thing in the morning because the mountain side on the right side of this photo helps block the sun and keep the hike cool during the first few hours of the day.
As the Iceberg Lake Trail contours the hillside, you’ll get a pretty good idea of where the trail is heading because of these wide-open views between the forested sections.
During earlier times of the summer, small streams like this will be running with much more snowmelt than what’s flowing here in mid-August.
My Lynx Encounter
I then had the wildlife encounter of a lifetime, and I think it’s a shame that I have to cover the photo up with all these watermarks. However, if you’re interested in purchasing the high-resolution print, please click on the photo.
So here’s story.
I was mid-trail, and a couple was hiking about 30 seconds in front of me. I then stopped to take a picture for this article and was quiet on the trail for maybe five seconds.
Then, right as I started to walk again, this Canadian Lynx jumped out from the hillside of the trail right in front of me, and we nearly collided. My forward movement and its jump put us within two feet of each other!
I immediately flinched back and yelled something out, thinking it was a bobcat! I continued to think it was a bobcat until I brought the photos into the Many Glacier Ranger Station, where they got out a wildlife book, and we confirmed it was a lynx!
After the lynx jumped out, it landed on the trail and scurried off into the bushes to the left of the trail, which is what you’re seeing in this photo here.
I was extremely shocked, and I honestly didn’t know if I was safe for about a minute. However, the lynx didn’t flinch, it didn’t move, and it just kept starring at me for about five minutes total, which is exactly how I was able to capture this photo.
The lynx literally gave me enough time to take off my pack, switch lenses, and play around with different shots through the trees!
This was quite literally the wildlife encounter of a lifetime, and I think the only thing more rare in North America would have been a wolverine encounter.
Overall, I believe that the lynx was never jumping at me, but rather onto the trail, as it thought that no one else was there. I never knew it was there, and it never knew I was there.
My Print - Canadian Lynx
Ptarmigan Junction
After the beginning few junctions, the most significant split in the trail is the Ptarmigan Junction, which leads to Ptarmigan Lake and Tunnel, with Elizabeth and Helen Lake on the far side.
You may notice these red American Mountain-ash berries along the trail, and while they are considered edible, I have read that they are not very good to eat raw.
Iceberg Lake Trail
Additional Early Season Gear
Depending on the winter snowpack, micro-spikes may be necessary as the trail reaches the upper elevations of the hike.
Additionally, snow tends to linger for longer in the shady, forested sections shown earlier, which may make micro-spikes necessary for an early season adventure.
I personally use the Yaktrax below.
As the trail nears Iceberg Lake, you will likely notice a small tarn off the trail that the Park Service is working to keep hikers out.
Please don’t leave the trail, as Iceberg Lake itself is much more stunning, which is only a few minutes ahead from this restoration area.
Iceberg Lake
At the end of the trail, the beautiful blue waters of Iceberg Lake are surrounded by the towering peaks of Mt. Wilbur to the left and Iceberg Peak directly behind the lake.
If you’re interested in jumping in, the easiest deep jumping point is off to the left from where the trail initially ends.
Know that Iceberg Lake can look drastically different from what you see in this mid-August photo, as the lake can quite literally have icebergs floating well into the summer, depending on the snow year.
