Rockwell Falls
| Trail Features: | Waterfalls, Scenic views, Wildflowers |  |
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| Trail Location: | Two Medicine (South Shore Trailhead) | ||||
| Roundtrip Length: | 7.0 Miles | ||||
| Total Elevation Gain: | 375 Feet | ||||
| Avg. Elev Gain / Mile: | 107 Feet | ||||
| Highest Elevation: | 5471 Feet | ||||
| Trail Difficulty Rating: | 7.75 (moderate) | ||||
| Parking Lot Latitude | 48.48381 | ||||
| Parking Lot Longitude | -113.36954 | ||||
Trail Description:
The hike to Rockwell Falls in Glacier National Park begins from the South Shore Trailhead at Two Medicine Lake. Just going to the trailhead is a worthwhile experience. The view from the eastern shore of the lake, with Painted Tepee Peak, Sinopah Mountain, Lone Walker Mountain and Mt. Helen forming a picture perfect backdrop, is one of the most beautiful scenes in Glacier.
At just over a quarter-of-a-mile from the trailhead hikers will reach the side trail to Paradise Point, a small beach area that offers commanding views of Two Medicine Lake and Rising Wolf Mountain.
Roughly one-half mile from the trailhead hikers will arrive at the first in a series of small beaver ponds. This area, over the next quarter-mile or so, is prime habitat for moose, which are frequently seen foraging in and around the ponds, especially in the mornings and late afternoons. As you proceed beyond the ponds the trail continues by traveling through a montane forest of lodgepole pine and Douglass fir, with several small and large meadows interspersed along the way. On our most recent hike we saw a large bull moose foraging in the woods just below Rockwell Falls.
At 1.1 miles hikers will cross over Aster Creek, and in a short distance, will reach the side trail that leads to Aster Falls and Aster Park Overlook. To continue on towards Rockwell Falls you should proceed straight ahead at this junction.
Roughly 2.3 miles from the trailhead hikers will reach the suspension bridge over Paradise Creek. Some people may be a little nervous about walking over rickety suspension bridges. However, to get across without incident, simply walk slowly, stay towards the middle, and keep both hands on the railings as you proceed across the bridge.
At 2.6 miles you'll reach the South Shore Trail and Two Medicine Pass Trail junction. Turning right onto the South Shore Trail will lead to the boat dock on the western shore of Two Medicine Lake where hikers will have the option of taking the boat back to the trailhead, for a fee. This trail also leads to Twin Falls and Upper Two Medicine Lake. To continue on towards Rockwell Falls hikers should turn left onto the Two Medicine Pass Trail.
Up to this point the trail has been traveling in the general direction of 8271-foot Sinopah Mountain. The trail now begins heading southward, and in the general direction of 7650-foot Painted Tepee Peak.
At just under 3.5 miles you'll cross a footbridge. The trail then makes a turn towards the right, and in a very short distance you'll arrive near the base of Rockwell Falls.
Rockwell Falls actually consists of two separate waterfalls. The waterfall most visible from the trail drops roughly 30 or 40 feet. There's another waterfall, roughly equal in height, located about one hundred feet behind the main falls. Due to the angle and some tree cover, this waterfall is a little more difficult to see. However, for those that don't mind a little bushwhacking, you will have access to a better viewpoint a little further up the trail.
