Trail of the Cedars & Avalanche Lake

Halfway up the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road, Avalanche Creek is where Glacier's valley forest shows what it looks like when it is left alone. Trail of the Cedars is a loop of roughly three-quarters of a mile, much of it on a wide boardwalk, that threads through western red cedar and hemlock trees centuries old. The air is cool and damp, the moss thick, and the trail is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, which makes it one of the few real forest walks that anyone can do. A short spur leads to Avalanche Gorge, where the creek has polished the red rock into pools and chutes of startling blue. From the same trailhead, the Avalanche Lake trail climbs gently along the creek for about two and a quarter miles each way. It is a classic family hike: well-graded, shaded and rewarded at the end by a lake sitting in a hanging valley, with waterfalls pouring off the walls of the cirque in early summer.

Expect company. Avalanche is among the most popular stops on the west side, and the parking lot is limited, so go early, late or on a shuttle if one is running. The Avalanche Lake hike is about four and a half miles round trip with a modest climb of several hundred feet, which most reasonably fit visitors, including children, can do in two to three hours with a stop at the lake.

The lake shore is a good place for a picnic, but keep food secured and be alert for bears, which use the same valleys.

The timing question is the road itself. Avalanche is on the part of Going-to-the-Sun Road that opens for the season only when plowing and weather allow, and in some years construction, road closures or shuttle changes have affected access to this trailhead, so confirm the current situation with the park before you build a day around it. When access is open, the combination of an accessible boardwalk and a rewarding hike makes this one of the best value stops in the park.

Photographers will like the gorge in mid-morning when the light reaches into it, and the lake in the afternoon once the sun rises above the cirque. Bring bug spray in early summer, a rain layer in all seasons and sturdy shoes, because the rocks and roots on the upper trail stay wet.

A few practical details make the day smoother. Bring a small picnic for the lake and plan to eat there, since the shore has rocks and logs to sit on and the view across the water is worth the extra time. Wear shoes with grip, because the boardwalk and the upper trail can be slick with spray and moss. If you are visiting with a stroller or wheelchair, stay on the cedar loop, which is designed for that purpose.

Photographers should bring a polarizing filter or a fast lens, since the forest is dim even at midday and the gorge rewards slow shutter speeds for silky water. Check for any trail closures related to bear activity before you set off, and consider asking a ranger about current conditions. A visit here pairs nicely with a lunch stop at Lake McDonald and an afternoon boat ride.