Glacier National Park: Garden Wall

Exploring Glacier's Garden Wall

As you near Logan Pass along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, you'll come upon the towering Garden Wall. The Garden Wall is a sharp, knife-edged arete that extends for miles. The road traverses the Garden Wall, providing up-close views of geologic history.

An arete is formed when two glaciers carve out both sides of a mountain range, until only a thin ridge remains. The glaciers that sculpted the Garden Wall were smaller tributary glaciers of much bigger glaciers. These monstrous glaciers are estimated to have been 3,000 to 4,000 feet thick, and are also responsible for digging out the U-shaped valleys of St. Mary Valley to the east, and Lake McDonald Valley to the west, below Logan Pass.

Before embarking on your Going-to-the-Sun Road adventure, make sure you are familiar with the vehicle regulations. Because the Garden Wall traverse is long and narrow, the maximum vehicle length is 21 feet long, which includes bumpers, and 8 feet wide. If your car does not fit within these standards, rental cars are available in the towns around Glacier. If you don't feel like driving, and want to sit back and absorb the scenery, there is also a shuttle service that will take you the length of the road.

Once on the Garden Wall, you have the opportunity to enjoy one of the several hikes that meander through the area. The most popular trail is the Garden Wall Trail, also known as the Highline Trail. This trail is rather difficult and extends 11.6 miles. Begin the Garden Wall Trail at the Logan Pass Visitor Center. The trail will take you along cliffs across the west side of the Garden Wall, and then through subalpine fir groves. After a few miles, you'll reach Haystack Butte. Keep your eyes peeled for bighorn sheep who are frequently seen in the area. The trail ends at The Loop parking lot of the Going-to-the-Sun Road.