Sun Point Nature Trail
| Trail Features: | Waterfalls, Lake Views |  |
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| Trail Location: | Sun Point | ||||
| Roundtrip Length: | 4.7 Miles | ||||
| Total Elevation Gain: | 460 Feet | ||||
| Avg. Elev Gain / Mile: | 196 Feet | ||||
| Highest Elevation: | 4690 Feet | ||||
| Trail Difficulty Rating: | 5.62 (moderate) | ||||
| Parking Lot Latitude | 48.67618 | ||||
| Parking Lot Longitude | -113.58021 | ||||
Trail Description:
The hike along the Sun Point Nature Trail in Glacier National Park begins from Sun Point, located roughly 9.3 miles west of the St. Mary Entrance Station on the Going-To-The-Sun Road. The hike begins on the west side of the Sun Point parking lot. According to the park signboard at the trailhead, this hike is also referred to as the “Three Falls Trail”.
From the parking area the Sun Point Nature Trail almost immediately begins to descend towards St. Mary Lake, and almost immediately you’ll begin to enjoy spectacular views of the lake and the mountains looming above it towards the west. After walking a very short distance hikers will arrive at a junction. A turn to the left will lead you to Sun Point where you'll enjoy similar views. To continue on towards your first destination, Baring Falls, you should turn right at this junction.
During the early years of the national park Sun Point was the home of the Going-to-the-Sun Chalet complex, which was constructed between 1912 and 1915 by the Great Northern Railway. The complex, which remained in operation until 1942, included two large dormitories that could sleep up to 200 people, a large dining room, and laundry facilities. Until the Going-to-the-Sun Road was completed in 1933, the only way to reach the chalets was by boat or pack horse. The chalets closed during World War II, fell into disrepair, and were eventually torn down in 1948. For a more in-depth history of Glacier's historic hotels and backcountry chalet system, I highly recommend View with a Room.
Roughly four-tenths of a mile from the trailhead hikers will begin to pass through an area that was burned during the Reynolds Creek Fire of 2015. Shortly thereafter you'll reach the Siyeh Pass Trail, which branches off to the right. Hikers should continue straight ahead (or towards the left) onto the Piegan Pass Trail at this junction. Roughly one-tenth of a mile beyond the junction the trail crosses over Baring Creek, and Baring Falls will immediately come into view on your right.
Baring Falls is a pleasant waterfall that drops roughly 25 feet over a rock ledge. After plunging over the ledge, Baring Creek continues flowing for another hundred yards or so before spilling into Saint Mary Lake. The area around the falls is a great place to look for water ouzels. American dippers, also known as water ouzels, are known to bob, or "dip", along the rocks around the falls, or dive under the water in search of food. Once below the surface of the water the dippers forage by either walking along the stream bottom, or by "flying" through the water, while using their wings to propel themselves through the swift currents. These small, slate-grey colored birds are also known to nest in this area.
Just beyond the waterfall the trail passes a boat dock along the shore of St. Mary Lake, and immediately begins to ascend the bluff overlooking the lake. After climbing roughly one hundred feet above the surface of the water you'll pass several spots that offer sweeping panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. There will be a few rock outcroppings along the way that will act as great spots for a snack break, or to simply soak-in the beautiful views.
At roughly 1.4 miles hikers will reach the Gunsight Horse Trail Cutoff, which leads up to the St. Mary Falls Trailhead, located just east of the St. Mary Falls Shuttle Stop. Hikers should proceed straight ahead at this junction.
At roughly 1.8 miles hikers will arrive at the St. Mary Falls Cutoff Trail, which leads up to the St. Mary Falls Shuttle Stop. Hikers should turn left at this junction, and then proceed for a very short distance to reach another junction. The Piegan Pass Trail continues up the hill towards the right. To continue on towards St. Mary Falls hikers should veer left onto the St. Mary Lake Trail at this juncture.
At roughly 2.1 miles hikers will reach the St. Mary River. Soon afterwards you'll begin hearing the thunder of crashing water, and in another quarter-mile, will finally arrive at St. Mary Falls, one of the more spectacular waterfalls in Glacier National Park.
St. Mary Falls drops roughly 35 feet in three separate tiers, with the two largest being the most photogenic. A smaller waterfall can be found below the footbridge. Even on a hot August day the rush of water forces a cool breeze down the narrow gorge. You'll also likely notice the incredibly beautiful aqua-green color of the pools just below the falls.
If you still have plenty of time and energy I highly recommend continuing along the trail, for less than another mile, to see the even more impressive Virginia Falls. This option will increase your overall roundtrip mileage to 6.5 miles, and increase your total elevation gain to roughly 775 feet.
