Mount Phillips: One of the biggest mountains I've ever seen...
Three major trails head west from the Two Medicine Campground, leading to—respectively, from south to north—Two Medicine Pass, Dawson Pass, and the Pitamakan and Cut Bank Passes (same trail, with the two passes only separated by a half mile or less). Of these three the route to Dawson Pass, at 6.3 miles, is shortest, following the north side of Two Medicine Lake (5,164')—and having nice views of Mount Henry, Mount Ellsworth, Never Laughs Mountain, Painted Tepee Peak, Grizzly Mountain, and the occasional tantalizing glimpses of Mount Rockwell, poking out from behind Sinopah Mountain—which for a while dominates everything at the west end of the lake—circumventing the south slopes of Rising Wolf Mountain, passing just north of Sinopah, then eventually rising to its saddle, anchored on the south by Mount Helen, and on the north by Flinsch Peak. During this trek the terrain is dominated more and more by the cliffs of, first, Sinopah and Rising Wolf, gradually giving way on the south to the sheer face of Helen, and then the first unassuming views through the trees of the barely discernable horn of Flinsch Peak. The trail climbs steadily, with Flinsch coming more and more into focus, the last bit of elevation gain to the pass leaves the forest behind, the scene opens as it climbs, Flinsch is now visible in its entirety, and then you reach the pass...
South from Dawson Pass...
Looking down on Dawson pass from the summit.
...and if you're like me, at that point you stop, not even thinking to take off your pack; stop, and just look. And say something inspirational to fill the moment, like a softly spoken, "Wow..." Or, even after a lifetime of seeing, "...ohmygoodness these mountains are...BIG." Then (if you're like me)
Mount Morgan, from Dawson Pass.
you remember you have a camera, have enough sense to drop your pack, and start running from one end of the pass to the other, because every few steps seems to bring something even more—or at least as worthy as what was just a few feet ago—wonderful of which to take a picture. Dawson Pass does that to you. Cresting its shoulder brings an in-your-face confrontation with the likes of—these all rising out of the Nyack and Coal Creek Valleys thousands of feet below—a (really) massive (and this is the first thing to grab your attention) Mount Phillips, Mount Saint Nicholas, Battlement, Vigil, Lone Walker, Pinchot, Glacier's second highest summit in Mount Stimson, Blackfoot Mountain, standing huge and glaciated in the distance, while closer is relatively unknown Tinkham Mountain...and it is all there for the taking, on a gently rounded saddle between Mount Helen and Flinsch Peak. And still, up and away in the near distance: the horn of Flinsch Peak.
CLIMBING FLINSCH PEAK
An excellent shot showing Flinsch's rotten summit cliffs—always test steps and hand holds CAUTION! Watch those below you—rock fall can be dangerous!
Almost there, Meleah!
The view and climb—of course—don't stop at Dawson Pass, as there is still over 1,600 feet to the summit, which, while not by any means a difficult ascent—except care must be taken on the summit cliffs—is not as close as it appears. At first the trail seemingly heads up the peak, but after maybe a quarter mile drops down off the pass to eventually, after having skirted the west faces of both Flinsch and neighboring Mount Morgan, join the Cut Bank/Pitamakan Trail between
Moni dealing with rotten rock on Flinsch Peak...
those two passes, and so work its way back to the Two Medicine Campground. (This "loop" is often done as a one-day outing, a long—but nice—trek with no off-trail climbs. Interestingly, while on Flinsch Peak we watched several parties of hikers crest the pass, then continue on, presumably doing just that; we were—and it was a nice day—the only ones on the mountain.) Where the trail leaves the ascent, simply keep heading up the peak. (Note: The climb is probably no more than a GNP rating of Class 3, although the cliffs surrounding the summit are quite rotten, and falling-rock awareness is certainly necessary. While some of the moves will raise your concentration level a bit, the cliffs don't offer up the kind of exposure which would take them to a Class 4 rating.) Gradually, the vista fills with even more mountains. The climb brings into view such as Mount Rockwell and Grizzly Mountain, points south of them, back more easterly into the Two Medicine area, and the entire west ridge of next-door Rising Wolf Mountain. (Rising Wolf and Flinsch are often done as a pair, making for a long, but extremely rewarding, day—Rising Wolf almost always is done first, see that page for an explanation as to why. This day, we chose to do Flinsch and Helen as a pair—another nice, "extremely rewarding" outing!)
Fred & Moni on the cliffs of Flinsch's summit block
The higher on the mountain, the less solid the rock becomes, at times being little more than a scree ascent. All in all though, it's not too bad, and when the summit cliffs are reached, work your way around to the right so as to avoid potential technical climbing; the route is relatively obvious, and scrambling the last bit to the summit poses no difficulty. A word of warning: while working through the cliffs, the rock is quite loose, so watch foot and hand holds, at the same time taking care to not push anything down on those below you. Then, enjoy the summit!
Photographic details for climbing Flinsch Peak can be found in Volume Two of Climb Glacier National Park. It can be ordered at Climb Glacier National Park.
Meleah works her way down the summit block....
NOW, ABOUT THOSE SUMMIT VIEWS....
Mount Helen, and points south.
Rising Wolf Mountain (L), Mount Phillips (R).
Young Man Lake...
Monsters of the Nyack!
Into the Wild South!
Tinkham Mountain, and the Wild North!.
THE RED TAPE, WILDLIFE, & CAUTIONS SECTION
In case you need it: A couple reminders that this GNP/Northern Rockies area has a LOT of wildlife.
No permits required, but you must pay a park entry fee, which is $25 for one week, or $35 for an annual pass. Registration for day climbs in Glacier National Park is recommended, but not mandatory. Probably anyone prone to climbing in this part of the country already knows this, but the Northern Rockies are full of wildlife. Always be aware, and don't do anything stupid, like—for example—feed the bears, think that a mountain lion is even remotely related to your pet cat, or run up to a moose (moose are quite unpredictable, irritable, and very dangerous). And never, ever, EVER forget you're in grizzly country; they insist on being left alone—disagreement on that point is not an argument you'll win! Bear spray and noise should be part of every GNP foray you make into the back country. Black bears will be found in the forests, grizzlies commonly venture onto the above-timberline tundra, sometimes, when in pursuit of such delicacies as ladybugs or cutworm moth larva, even to the summits! Also note that improperly stored food in park campgrounds (i.e., scraps left around the table or campfire, or edibles in your tent rather than your car) will subject you to a $50 fine. If you wander off, leaving your pack unattended, and there is food in it which attracts the attention of, for example, a bear, it is also a fine. Folks, the Park Service is serious about not providing human food access to the critters!
BLACKFEET INDIAN RESERVATION
It is impossible, and not desired, to separate the Native Peoples from either the history or current life of this area. The Blackfeet Indian Reservation is immediately east of Glacier National Park—tribal headquarters are in Browning—and their official website is a great source of information on trip planning, and the cultural history of the region. Do check it out!
GETTING THERE
From the north, take Hwy 89 south from Saint Mary, turning on Hwy 49—a paved road, but very winding and slow going; relax, enjoy the wonderful views!—for approximately eight miles until the Two Medicine turnoff, then it is seven easy miles to the campground, ranger station, store, boat dock, and ample parking. From the south, take Hwy 2 to East Glacier, and in town turn on Hwy 49, head north out of town four miles, to the Two Medicine road.
Standard Precautionary Note: All GNP roads are closed in winter, with Going-to-the-Sun Road (the major route through the park; its eastern terminus is at Saint Mary) sometimes not opening until July (average opening is second week in June; earliest opening ever is May 16, 1987, with the second earliest being May 22, 2005). Don't head out early in the year (i.e., June/early July) without checking the status of these roads—it is not unusual to have repeated, sometimes lengthy, road closures due to storms, avalanches, rock slides, or all three! The same holds true for late in the year; weather changes dramatically, beginning usually around the end of August, with road closures normally becoming more and more frequent through the month of September (although don't shy away from going, there can also be very nice—albeit cool or cold—days of Indian Summer throughout this time frame; plus the park is relatively free of people after Labor Day). The following links are pretty much self-explanatory, and provide all sorts of useful and interesting information:
And finally, click here for current information, as well as easy access to some interesting photos showing the Plowing of Going-to-the-Sun Road.
WHEN TO CLIMB, & CLIMBING CONSIDERATIONS
From late June/early July (during this time frame expect LOTS of snow in the high elevations) to early fall, depending on snow conditions. Traditional climbing season in the Northern Rockies is July, August, and September—with September weather becoming progressively colder and more unstable (sometimes dramatically so: PAY ATTENTION!) as the month progresses—but does of course vary from year to year. There are occasional winter climbs in the park, but not often, and then only by well-equipped, area-wise, extremely competent individuals. Basically, most of GNP is inaccessable through the winter, and avalanche danger, to put it mildly, is extreme almost everywhere.
CLIMBING CONSIDERATIONS
Because of the nature of the rock, there are special considerations regarding climbing in Glacier National Park, and grading systems unique to the park have been developed by both J. Gordon Edwards and the Glacier Mountaineering Society. Anyone doing more than just "trail" hiking in this part of the Rockies should read the excellent and important information put together by Fred and Moni Spicker. Much—if not most—of the rock in GNP is sedimentary and rotten, and you need to know about it: Glacier National Park Rock & Grading Systems.
CAMPING & LODGING
The Two Medicine Campground ($20 per day—no reservations, first come first served basis) is close to the area trailheads, as well as the ferry. There are numerous campgrounds available within Glacier National Park, of which only Fish Creek and Saint Mary take reservations (not required, but probably a good idea during the peak summer tourist period). There are also many campgrounds, as well as motels, just outside the park on both the west and east sides.
In addition, there is a great deal available in the way of accomodations and camping on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
The community of East Glacier Park is within easy driving of Two Medicine Lake (approximately 20 minutes), and has several restaurants and motels, as well as an RV park which also caters to tenters. And if your credit card is gathering dust, East Glacier Park is also home to the (really nice) Glacier Park Lodge.
Also, and for those so inclined...GNP does have Backcountry Campsites throughout the park, including the Two Medicine area. Some of these sites can be reserved; others are on a first come basis. Anyone doing extensive, several day, remote hiking/climbing would be well advised to check this out.
CURRENT MOUNTAIN CONDITIONS/WEB CAMS
Weather page—an overview, plus current conditions and forecast
Glacier National Park Chat—a great source for friendly conversation and information concerning all things GNP related!
In Tribute
On March 1, 2011, Vernon Garner, Saintgrizzly, left us after losing a bold, inspiring fight against pancreatic cancer. Or maybe he won, for he is at last free of his pain and has "shuffle[d] off this mortal coil."
Vernon was an important contributor on SummitPost, but beyond merely making good, informative pages, he actually inspired many who read his work. No one put more work into his or her pages than Vernon did, and many of those pages, especially those related to Glacier National Park, the place he loved above all others, are works of art in both the writing and layout. More than one person has wanted to visit Glacier or go back to Glacier largely due to what he shared about that magnificent place.
Many people on SP counted Vernon among their friends, and many more saw him as one of the best, one of those who exemplified the spirit of this site. He was one of the best of us, he will be missed, and he will not be forgotten.
As a tribute to him, Vernon's pages will remain in his name. Any member who sees a need for an addition or correction should please contact site management via the "Send PM to the Elves" feature.
Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports.
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Looking over Oldman Lake to Flinsch Peak.
Approaching Dawson Pass.
Mount Phillips: One of the biggest mountains I've ever seen...
South from Dawson Pass...
Looking down on Dawson pass from the summit.
Mount Morgan, from Dawson Pass.
An excellent shot showing Flinsch's rotten summit cliffs—always test steps and hand holds
Almost there, Meleah!
Moni dealing with rotten rock on Flinsch Peak...
Meleah works her way down the summit block....
Mount Helen, and points south.
Young Man Lake...
Monsters of the Nyack!
Into the Wild South!
