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Glacier National Park
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In Glacier Park
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In Glacier National Park
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Southern Boundary
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Trail of the Cedars
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Cut Bank Area
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Glacier National Park
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Glacier National Park
Cutbank Area
Cut Bank Pass Trail ascends, following the North Fork of Cut Bank
Creek. Hike 0.1 mile to junction with old Cutbank Chalet access
road, stay to the right for Morningstar Lake. At 3.9 miles, junction
with Triple Divide Trail (3.3 miles to Triple Divide Pass or 2.1
miles to Medicine Grizzly Lake). Stay left for Morningstar Lake,
then trail turns to the south and continues ascent of Cut Bank
valley. The trail passes Atlantic Falls at 4.1 miles. at 6.6 miles
you will come to Morningstar Lake Campground, trail then ascends to
reach Pitamakan Lake. At 8.6 miles you will reach Pitamakan Lake,
the trail then crosses the lake outlet and heads to the west side of
Pitamakan Lake, ascending steeply to the Pass.
Length: 5.4 miles
Trail Begins: Nyack Creek Trail
Trail Ends: Dawson Pass Trail Junction
Directions
The Cut Bank Pass Trail
can be accessed by taking Montana Highway 49 to junction with Cut
Bank Creek Road, 17 miles north of East Glacier. Drive 4 miles over
this improved gravel road past the Ranger Station to the back
country parking area. Trail runs west from this parking lot.
CUT BANK PASS TRAIL
Glacier National Park
Stubborn was his name, but
as ornery as he was, he only deserved
half a name. I just called him Stub. He was my old mule, and we had
pretty
much reached an agreeable understanding. It was going to go his way
instead of mine,
and he had me pretty well reconciled that it would be his way or else!
I had heard, from a traveling buddy of mine, that Cut Bank Pass
Trail,
in Glacier National Park was a sight no one should miss. It seemed
that
Stub and I really should take a break from the farm, and go for a
hike.
Maybe Stub picked up my mood, but for once he walked up in the horse
trailer with very little objection. We drove up Highway 49 to Cut
Bank
Creek Road. It was about 17 miles North of East Glacier. I drove
past the
Ranger Station, to the back Country Parking Area.
Now, to get Stub out, and explain that we WERE going for a hike. He
must have caught the smell of fresh mountain air, and open spaces.
His ears
perked up, and he took a deep breath, and backed out real
peacefully. He
looked around, and I guess that mule liked what he saw. He
didn't even object as I loaded up the pack on his back.
The trail started out, toward the west. The first part of our trip
meant
climbing about 3500 feet up, and then down about the same distance.
This
would cover about 12 miles of trail. Since Stub was carrying the
load, I
managed to hike quite easily with my good walking shoes. When we
arrived at
Cut Bank Pass, which was about 3 miles of vertical climbing, we knew
it
was time for a rest.
The beauty of the scenery was just something I will never forget.
Even
old Stub, looked around like he couldn't believe his eyes. As we
were quiet
and not moving, we noticed some Mountain Goats moving in our
direction. Old
Stub stood at attention in wonderment. I know he was thinking ---
What in
the world are those things,? They didn't look like any goat he had
ever
seen down on the farm. As they climbed closer, they seemed to fly
from one
dangerous rock to another. Stub wasn't about to go where they went .
While we rested, I started thinking about running into a bear. I
have
often heard that if you make noise enough, a bear will avoid you.
Well.
this beautiful place, sure did put a song in my heart. I may think
I'm singing
but the rest of the world would certainly call it noise. I'm sure
the bear
would too. Old Stub never seemed to mind my singing.
So --- Sing I did.
And when we camped for the night, I would sleep close to Stub. If a
bear
decided to invade our campsite, he would surely have other thoughts
being on the receiving end of Stubs back hooves. Let me tell you, he
has no
mercy when he gets his temper up. That poor old bear would regret
his
decision, when he limped away with black and blue marks the size of
Stubs
foot.
Now, in the morning we headed on down, which felt good, as the trail
led to Morning
Star Lake. Stub was so glad to be on a downward trail that it was
all I
could do to keep up with him. Our trip down was heaven for Stub,
through
the beautiful meadows and rich grass. To me the abundance of
different wild
flowers made it a photographers paradise. My trusty camera was put
to good
use all day. Our view of the many lakes below us, was encouraging
enough to
keep us hiking down.
We stopped at Morningstar Lake Campground. What a perfect place to
rest again and Stub enjoyed drinking the cold lake water.
We went from there to Atlantic Falls. I debated rather to stay at
Atlantic Falls Campground for the night or to work our way back to
the
truck. Since the weather was hot and it would be quite a walk we
waited
until morning.
As we finished our trip, of about 14 to 15 miles of hiking, it was
sad to leave those beautiful trails and the sights we had seen.
There were
not only Mountain goats, but Big horn Sheep and lots of small
animals who
called this protected place home. I know there were bears, who
avoided my
singing and kept out of sight. Even the birds were feeling the
loveliness
of this great spot .
We needed to head back to the farm, because there was work to be
done,
if I could convince Stub to co-operate. But, I know I will never
forget
this great experience and if Stub could talk I know he would say the
same.
Maybe if I keep telling him, we will do it all over again, if he
acts better,
it will help.
Cutbank area in Glacier National Park by Verna Parks.
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