Bearhat Mountain from the northeast
Photo by montanaboy.
From the east. Overview
From the north.
Accessed from Logan Pass in Glacier National Park, Bearhat Mountain is an easy day climb and a good introduction to the unique climbing conditions in the park. From its summit you can see virtually every other summit within the park, except those obscured by Mount Jackson. Reynolds and Clements are more popular summits at the Pass, so this summit is, despite its accessibility, not done as often.
The mountain is named for a Kootenai tribal leader. For this and other interesting historical information, visit
Glacier History.
Views from Bearhat
South to Sperry Glacier & Gunsight. |
SE to Edwards |
North to Cannon |
East to Reynolds. |
Getting There
Setting from the NE.
Glacier National Park is located in northwestern Montana. Going-to-the-Sun Road is the main scenic route through the Park and the way to Logan Pass and Reynolds Mountain. It is not kept open during the winter. Closing in the fall and opening in the spring depends on snow depth and conditions. Opening can be as late as July.
Current Road Status
A map of the Logan Pass area:
Logan Pass Area Map
Bearhat Mountain is approached via the Hidden Lake trail. After most of the snow is melted, the NPS closes the meadows and other areas near the pass to protect fragile vegetation. A boardwalk has been constructed along portions of the trail to the Hidden Lake Overlook because of the high traffic. Watch for mountain goats at the Hidden Lake Overlook.
Route Overview
East Face
GUIDEBOOK: A CLIMBER'S GUIDE TO GLACIER NATIONAL PARK; J. Gordon Edwards
A detailed route description is also included in
CLIMB GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Volume 1
SPECIAL 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. Please see this Fact Sheet for further details:
GNP Rock & Grading Systems
Only one route is described on Bearhat Mountain:
East Face Route, Glacier Park Class 2 and 3, if the correct route is followed. The route ascends the east face just south of the obvious large couloir and is typical Glacier Park scrambling with short cliffs and scree covered ledges.
Climbing Season and Conditions
Early Spring.
Mid to late summer into early fall, depending on when Going- to- the -Sun Highway opens and on the snow conditions.
Expect snow any time of the year!
Weather Page an overview with a link to the local forecast.
Webcam PageRed Tape
Current Entrance Fees
Registration for day climbs in Glacier National Park is recommended, but not mandatory.
Outdoor Activity Page Includes links to boating, bicycling, fishing, etc. and the regulations applying to each.
See Getting There regarding area closures at Logan Pass.
Camping
From the east.
There is no camping at Logan Pass.
There are numerous campgrounds available within Glacier National Park:
Backcountry Camping Page Includes trail status reports, campground availability, daily backcountry bulletins, and a backcountry blog.
Car Camping Page
There are also many campgrounds just outside the Park on both the west and east sides.
Camping on the Blackfeet Reservation is restricted to established campgrounds only.
External Links
Logan Pass Photo Gallery National Park Service page showing pictures from the Logan Pass area
Glacier National Park Homepage
Glacier Mountaineering Society
Non-government Glacier National Park Information