When you picture Glacier National Park what exactly comes to mind? Is it the cascading glacial peaks or the wildflowers giving the landscape a pop of color? Is it grizzly bears munching on huckleberries along a cliff’s edge or is it the crystal clear lakes at the foothills of the mountains? If that last one is the answer then hiking to No Name Lake in Glacier National Park is right up your alley.
Where is No Name Lake in Glacier National Park?
Located in the Two Medicine area near East Glacier, Montana is this emerald gem of a location. Just north of Upper Two Medicine Lake, the beautiful aqua-green colors of No Name nestles itself below the walls of Pumpelly Pillar and Mount Helen, soaring more than 8500 feet above.
Whether you’re sleeping out under the stars at Upper Two Med or passing by while completing the Dawson Pass Loop, No Name Lake is an epic day hike that’ll display just why we all flock to Montana in the summer.
Click here to read more about backpacking and camping at Upper Two Med
Hiking to No Name Lake in Glacier National Park
There are a couple of different hiking routes to get to No Name Lake, depending on where you’ll begin.
From Two Medicine Campground:
Two different routes exist from the Two Medicine Campground. Via the North Shore Trail, the trek is around 4.5 miles one way, 9 miles round trip. Via the South Shore Trail, the mileage is around 5.5 miles, 11 miles round trip.
From West Two Medicine Lake:
Remove a large chunk of your hike by riding the boat from the east side of Two Medicine Lake to the west side. Prices are around $14 and No Name Lake would only be around 2.5 miles from there.
Via the Continental Divide Trail:
The entire Pitamakan Pass Loop via the Continental Divide and Dawson Pass Trail will be the longest distance of the options. From the Two Medicine campground, head north on the Continental Divide/Pitamakan Pass Trail, eventually passing Oldman Lake. At around the 7.5 mile marker a junction will appear; continue straight for the Dawson Pass Trail. Within 5 miles, you’ll reach No Name Lake.
From Upper Two Medicine Lake:
My route to No Name Lake was done as a day excursion during my backcountry camping trip at Upper Two Med. After setting up camp, I hiked roughly 3 miles to No Name Lake, an unbelievably beautiful trek. Winding through lush vegetation dotted with huckleberries, I was drooling over the backdrop views of the 8000+ elevated mountains brushed with snow. I’d consider this hike moderate from Upper Two Med, mainly due to the trail exposure and a +560 elevation gain in mile 3 alone. The entire ascension to No Name Lake is just over +800 feet within the 3.3 miles.
Reaching No Name Lake
About a 0.1 mile from the banks of No Name Lake is a trail junction to continue on for Dawson Pass. Heading downhill to the left, I reach a small beach area along the northwest shore of the pristine emerald lake. A little further down the trail is the backcountry campground with three sites. The best area of No Name Lake, advised to us by a park ranger, is found by crossing over the stream. Reach the rocky field of wildflowers to sit below the towering Mount Helen above at over 8500 feet.
By retreating back on the same route, I come to another portion of the shoreline at No Name Lake. Although I already swam in Upper Two Med, I was ignorant to just how cold this glacial lagoon would be. Jumping in is refreshing but will send a shock through your veins. Before long, you can sit on the banks of the lake, welcoming the opportunity to refresh after that hike and soaking in those towering mountains.
Read More Glacier NP Posts HereBefore heading into the backcountry, it’s imperative that you’re familiar with the “Leave No Trace” principles.
Read More: Leave No Trace: The 7 Rules of the Backcountry
Learn more about Leave No Trace on their website here.
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