Cracker Lake Trail

Cracker Lake Trail leads to one of the most visually arresting lakes in Glacier National Park, a turquoise alpine tarn whose otherworldly color derives from dissolved copper sulfate leached from the surrounding Precambrian rock. The trail departs from Many Glacier Hotel and follows Cataract Creek through a long, glacially carved canyon framed by towering red and gray argillite walls. As the path gains elevation, remnants of the Canyon Mine, an early twentieth century copper mining operation, appear along the canyon walls - rusted cables, collapsed shafts, and rock tailings that speak to the colorful industrial past of the area. The lake itself sits at 6,385 feet and reflects the surrounding peaks in its impossibly vibrant water. Unlike some busier Many Glacier trails, Cracker Lake sees fewer visitors due to its length and the sustained effort required to reach it. Grizzly bears are active throughout the drainage and bear spray is mandatory. The upper canyon narrows dramatically before opening to the lake basin, where cascading waterfalls feed the copper-tinted water. A primitive backcountry campsite sits at the lake for those who obtain a permit. The combination of geological history, mining heritage, and raw scenic grandeur makes Cracker Lake an exceptional off-the-beaten-path destination within a park already renowned for extraordinary landscapes.