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Going-to-the-Sun Road
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Glacier Park - Johns Lake Loop
Our trailhead to this wonderful day hike, is just about a mile and a
half east of Lake McDonald Lodge. We will start on the South side of
"Going To The Sun Road". It will be a well marked parking area.
As we hike along Lake McDonald Creek. There are areas that we need
to be very careful with children, as some drop offs are sharp near
McDonald Falls. Being cautious in spots will not take away the great
pleasure for both Adults and Children. This hike starts out wide and
is well used. To make a loop back to your starting point, you will
want to combine this trail with the McDonald Creek trail. It’s a
very scenic and restful walk through lots of tall, cool, Western Red
Cedars, and Mountain Hemlock. This 3 mile round trip will be a
family delight. There are lots of shade loving forest flowers,
you will be serenaded with the chattering of different types of
squirrels. We occasionally find Mountain Maple trees here and there
that show off with their red and yellow leaves in the fall. There
are also huckleberry and snowberry bushes that have colored leaves
in the fall. All in all, this is a very pleasant cool refreshing
walk for the whole family.
As we reach Johns lake we find it to be a small and quite shallow
lake. It seems to be hidden in the forest with lovely water Lily
plants all along the shore line.
As we stand by the lake, looking up over the elegant trees, to the
north, we see two Mountains. Stanton mountain, which rises about
7,750 in elevation, and also Mount Vaught, at 8,850 feet .
 As
we continue we will avoid the trail sign leading toward Avalanche
Lake, and stay on the Johns lake Trail to the left. We will once
again go into a mystical, cool, forest. The trees here are so thick
that very little sun finds it’s way through. We walk on the soft
velvety green moss that makes everything have a green glow about it.
There are not young trees here because of the absence of light.
These old Mt. Hemlock reach high for their sunlight, and provide a
moist floor for the thick moss.
Listen closely and you will hear the rushing waters of McDonald
Creek just ahead. We will soon find a walkway across the road and a
path to the lake. Crossing the creek, we can enjoy the lovely sights
below. The bridge over the creek, leads us to a trail on our left.
When we arrive at a spot where horseback riders are forbidden, the
trail divides. We will stay to our left along the creek.
Watch for the many ducks in the water here. These are Harlequin
ducks, with blue and red feathers. They also have black and white
markings. Watch closely because they will not make sounds to alert
you. These silent little ducks are native to cold waters as far away
as Siberia. They are usually seen in late June to nest here, then go
farther north for the winter, about the middle of August.
Our walk along the creek is a very pleasant one, as the water
tumbles over the limestone rocks and cascades into reflective pools.
We see the colors of the sky and the beautiful trees around us.
Soon we see the crashing waters of McDonald Falls, and then back
into the hemlock forest.
We follow the trail to a paved road that will take us to the ranger
station, but we will being going to our left over the bridge of
McDonald Creek. We will take lots of photos from this bridge, Lake
Mc Donald and the Apgar Mountains are special views in the early
morning and at sunset.
As we come off the bridge we will take the trail to the right and
head on back to the car.
Our walk today of about 3 miles has been one we will long remember
and want to do over and over again. If you go during the
summer, it will be refreshing to enjoy the cool shaded hike through
the tall trees and if you go in the fall you will enjoy the turning
of the leaves. Any time of the months that Glacier National Park is
open, will be an unforgettable experience.
Johns Lake Loop was written by Verna Parks.
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