Glacier Waterton Multi-Sport

An Inn-to-Inn Hiking, Biking, and Whitewater Rafting Adventure

Discover a land still wild with moose, bear, wolf, bighorn sheep, bald eagle and osprey. Encompassing over 1,500 square miles of wilderness, the magnificent country of Waterton-Glacier forms the ideal setting for a smorgasbord of active adventure and wildlife viewing; an absolute feast! We'll hike and mountain bike pristine trails and backcountry roads, and raft the whitewaters of the scenic Flathead River.

The history of Waterton Lakes National Park is as deep and rich as its natural beauty. Its story begins more than 10,000 years ago when alpine glaciers melted out of the main valleys, making way for the first signs of human habitation. For thousands of years nomadic tribes camped, hunted and gathered plants along the Waterton Lakes and river in relative harmony.

Several different ecological regions meet in Waterton - with prairie plants of the Great Plains, Rocky Mountain plants from northern areas, and coastal plants from the Pacific Northwest all overlapping. This means Waterton has an unusually rich and varied number of plants for its size; many of them are rare or threatened. More than half of Alberta's plant species can be found in Waterton. For this reason, Waterton Lakes National Park was designated a biosphere reserve as part of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme in 1979.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1. Whitewater Rafting the Flathead River or Hiking to Stanton Lake, Lake McDonald Lodge

Our group assembles at 10:00 a.m. at the Pine Lodge Quality Inn in Whitefish, Montana. Following a short orientation, we launch our rafts on the wild and scenic Flathead River. With paddles in hand, we shoot rapids with names like Jaws, Pinball and Bonecrusher. For those who prefer not to raft, join one of our guides and explore nearby Stanton Lake.

Our arrival at the Lake McDonald Lodge this evening is a fitting introduction to the grand lodges of Glacier National Park. The lodge was built in 1913 and retains its rustic hunting lodge charm with a huge log frame lobby, stone fireplaces and spectacular lakeside setting. A short walk leads to the lake with lovely spots to relax or for a refreshing swim - cold but invigorating!

• Rafting the Flathead River [Class II & III; booties provided ]

Day 2. Biking Going-to-the-Sun Road, Prince of Wales Hotel
In the cool of the morning, we tackle one of America's most remarkable alpine highways, the renowned Going-To-The-Sun Road. An award winning engineering feat completed in 1932, this road provides unforgettable vistas of towering glaciated peaks, giant alpine valleys and the glaciers and snow fields that gave the park it name. As we crest the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, watch for bighorn sheep and mountain goats in the surrounding cliffs and meadows. We then let loose on the downhill run to St. Mary and the eastern side of the park.

From St. Mary we journey north into Canada and the landmark Prince of Wales Hotel in Canada's sister park to Glacier, Waterton National Park. The hotel is one of three remarkable lodges built by the Great Northern Railroad between 1910 and 1927. Sitting on a promontory overlooking the blue-green waters of Upper Waterton Lake, this 7-story hotel opens to a world famous panorama that looks deep into the heart of the surrounding mountain wilderness. Sip a cup of tea or enjoy a glass of beer or wine while you savor the incredible view through the lobby's wall-to-wall picture windows.

• Going-to-the-Sun Road [distance approximately 40 miles, 3,500 feet of elevation gain/loss]

Day 3. Hiking in Waterton National Park, Prince of Wales Hotel
Our hike today finds us on the Carthew Pass trail, the premier hike in Waterton Lakes National Park. The trail begins at the snow-encrusted headwall of Cameron Lake and ascends through an old growth evergreen forest with some of the largest trees in the park. The shady forest gives way to sun-splashed parklands filled with bear grass and wildflowers. After a steep but rewarding climb, we summit the wind-swept ridge of Carthew Pass and enjoy a sumptuous lunch amid 360 degree alpine splendor. We can return the way we came or enjoy the long descent past sapphire Carthew and Alderson Lakes, dancing waterfalls and lush meadows back to Waterton Village. Opportunities for wildlife sightings are excellent & grizzly and black bears, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, moose and more all can be seen.

• Cameron Lake to Waterton Village [12 miles via Carthew Pass; steep 2,200 feet of elevation gain, 3,600 feet of elevation loss. Steep scree slopes.]
• Cameron Lake to Carthew Pass [9 miles round trip; 2200 feet of elevation gain, then loss. Steep scree slopes]

Day 4. Mountain Biking in Waterton, Many Glacier Hotel
Swapping back to bikes, this morning we cycle the Snowshoe Trail through the waterfall-filled Bauerman Creek Valley. Towering peaks and massive rock walls appear to grow as we proceed up the valley. After a lovely streamside lunch we take a leisurely walk around the bustling little resort town of Waterton Village.

In the late afternoon, we drive back to Glacier National Park for our final two nights at the Many Glacier Hotel, another of the Great Northern Railroad's masterpieces. This Swiss-style inn looks out onto Swiftcurrent Lake and a stunning mountain panorama considered by many the most wonderful in the park. Take a stroll on the Swiftcurrent lakeshore and watch for grizzlies, mountain goats, elk and bighorn sheep foraging on the vast alpine mountainsides that surround the lodge.

• Snowshoe Biking Trail [up to 11 miles, dirt roads, single and double-track trails, 800 feet of elevation gain/loss]
• Option: Wishbone Trail [ 7.2 miles ]

Day 5. Hiking to Grinnell Glacier, Many Glacier Hotel
The Blackfeet Indians called this beautiful valley "waterfalls". Europeans named it "Many Glacier". But there is not a single word that can truly describe this wonderland of glacier-carved mountains, turquoise lakes, vast alpine meadows and the still impressive bulk of Grinnell Glacier itself. Small wonder this is one of the most popular and memorable trails in the park. The trail is also a textbook illustration of the park's retreating glaciers since Grinnell has lost 70% of is mass over the past 100 years.

• Moderate Option: Grinnell Glacier [11 miles, 1,700 feet of elevation gain, then loss]
• Easy Option: scenic boat cruise [additional cost]
• Easy Option: Nature Loop Hike around Swiftcurrent Lake [3.6 miles total, elevation negligible, self-guided]

Day 6. Biking and Canoeing Two Medicine Lake, Whitefish
Two Medicine Lake has some of the park's most spectacular scenery, and though it's often overlooked, a visit to the park wouldn't be complete without exploring its glacier-gouged lakes and purplish-red mountains. So we begin our last exhilarating day with a quiet bicycle ride along lower Two Medicine Lake. You can also choose to hike along the lake, canoe or kayak on the lake or take a scenic boat ride across the lake and hike on one of several trails amid the surrounding snowy peaks.
Our tour concludes back in Whitefish at approximately 5:30 pm.

• Biking Two Medicine Lake [11.3 miles; 650' elevation gain]
• Option: scenic boat ride across Two Medicine Lake with various hiking options [distance & elevation change variable]
• Option: kayak or canoe Two Medicine Lake [1 hour, self-guided]

Trip Rating: Moderate
Activities: hike (3 days), bike (2 days), raft (1/2 day), kayak or canoe (optional), guest naturalist

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Day 1. Port Angeles, Lake Crescent Lodge
Day 2. Lake Crescent Lodge
Day 3. The English Inn, Victoria
Day 4. Ocean Wilderness Country Inn
Day 5. Ocean Wilderness Country Inn