Gunsight Pass Trail in Glacier National Park Montana

We start our hike from the Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side of the Going-To-The-Sun Road. We head to Gunsight lake and up and over Gunsight Pass to Lake Ellen Wilson. From there we make our way over Lincoln Pass past the Sperry Chalet and out to Lake McDonald Lodge. Our hike ended up at just over 22 miles with over 5,000 feet of elevation gain. One of the longest day hikes we have completed.

[@vtta7397]

You are so awesome!!! Love that there are people on the same page with us😊

[@nolanventures473]

Thank you!

[@everettward2763]

I did this trail 52 years ago in the opposite direction with a stay at the chalet. I still remember this as one of the most spectacular hikes in Glacier.

[@nolanventures473]

Yes it spectacular- thanks for the comment!

[@kimberlynolan2745]

I would have to agree with it being one of the most spectacular areas of Glacier. Mile for mile, a hike with no shortage of awesomeness ⛰ Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience.

[@grandparocky]

Spectacular is not nearly enough of a word to describe this view!

[@nolanventures473]

Agreed!

[@grandparocky]

You guys must add 20% to your hike distance for camera settings, which we are all thankful for as fans of your work! That is quite a hike in one day! I am enjoying your youth!

[@barbswartz339]

Excellent video …. We both really enjoyed watching this. Thank you for posting

[@nolanventures473]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@californiasounddesign3921]

amazing views on this lesser traveled tail!

[@nolanventures473]

They are amazing - thank you!

[@jeremiahjohnson6456]

This is one of the best hikes in Glacier. Not many people do it as a day hike - Cheers and well done!

[@nolanventures473]

Agree. I think it’s certainly a top 10er. Thank you for watching and happy trails!

[@stevestewart5182]

Absolutely amazing, and thank you for sharing.

[@nolanventures473]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the comment and for watching. Enjoy the wilderness!

[@garyji]

An outstanding video of very unique terrain and a trail with spectacular views. Twenty-two-and-a-half miles in one day! Wow! Props to you two! And thanks for letting nature provide the soundtrack.

[@nolanventures473]

Thank you very much! It’s a great place. Enjoy the wilderness.

[@dansarette101]

I agree

[@jeremiahjohnson6456]

Beast mode

[@HikingGrandpa]

22 1/2 miles and 5,000 feet…quite a hike! Great job as usual. Appreciate you guys recording and posting your hikes. Gives us GNP lovers who don’t live close-by a chance to hike vicariously with the Nolans!

[@nolanventures473]

Thank you so much! It was an arduous hike. But that is part of what makes it great. Enjoy.

[@kimberlynolan2745]

Much appreciated, thank you!

[@jeremiahjohnson6456]

Same

[@grandparocky]

That is some amazing geology you are in today!

[@chuckrobin4331]

Going to Glacier in September, thanks for some wonderful videos.

[@nolanventures473]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@Zoomdak]

Absolutely gorgeous area! I would love to hike here someday!

[@nolanventures473]

It is fantastic. Enjoy the trails.

[@bearnature4519]

This was a great video I loved the views and wildlife well done 221/2 miles is fantastic. I also liked the longer video. Keep them coming 😁

[@nolanventures473]

Awesome, thank you!

[@kimberlynolan2745]

The mountain goats were a total bonus, as well as the moose. All that awesome required more footage 👍⛰ Thank you!

[@joeldavid7462]

Solid day of hiking. Great job of capturing the fantastic views!

[@nolanventures473]

It was a great day for it. Perfect conditions and one of the awe inspiring trails in Glacier. Thank you and enjoy the wilderness!

[@jeremiahjohnson6456]

Agreed!

[@edwardmartinez9835]

22.5 miles!! Thanks for making this video. Keep them coming!!

[@nolanventures473]

Will do!

[@BowtiesSongs]

Great video. One of the feature hikes in my new novel, Glacier Chalet Surprise. They planned to hike this in three days, not ONE like you two did. That's quite a feat! I backpacked it in three days.

[@nolanventures473]

Thank you!

[@dansarette101]

Wow Wow wow, and wow!! Fantastic work on this video guys! you really captured the scenery so well.And an amazing accomplishment to do those miles while filming. 😁😁

[@nolanventures473]

Thank you for watching! Enjoy the wilderness.

[@kimberlynolan2745]

The views were remarkable and the great weather played a part in the ability to capture it. At times we felt as though everything was worthy of being photographed due to its grandeur. Thank you!

[@dansarette101]

@@kimberlynolan2745 I know exactly what you mean! My wife and I were there for the first time last October on our motorcycle. It just totally blew us away! And we will be back there again September October this year if all goes as planned . we're working on being conditioned good enough to take on something like this. It's a little tough to accomplish living here in South Florida.

[@bubblewrapper188]

Planning on doing this hike next month, found this video extremely helpful! Looks like plenty of water sources which will hopefully stick around until mid August. Gorgeous hike, can't wait to do it!

[@nolanventures473]

Glad it was helpful! Enjoy the trails.

[@bradbest1822]

What day are you going? I might need a hiking buddy. Lol

[@kimwhalen9171]

WOW, always enjoy your hikes. Would like to know a little about your camera gear, y'all do a great job!

[@nolanventures473]

Used a GoPro 7 black until just a month ago and were upgraded to the GoPro 11. Small, light, waterproof, and shock resistant. Dropped it more times than I care to admit. Dropped in water, snow, you name it. We have had great luck with it. Takes some time to figure out the settings you want, but after that it is great. We use a MeFoto backpacker air tripod. Have gone through several of those over the years. Thanks for the comment and for watching. Enjoy the wilderness.

[@greatestshow99]

Enjoy your videos. Gunsight is number one on my to-do list next time I'm in Glacier. Just curious... Five favorite hikes in Glacier and in the U.S.?

[@nolanventures473]

Have a favorite hikes playlist on our channel - thank you for watching.

[@SanJuanMountainBob]

Whoa - 22.5 miles and 5,000 feet gain + probably a mile for camera chasing....you guys are tough! What views though. Thanks for sharin!

[@kimberlynolan2745]

These views were a motivating factor for sure, as we realize what it feels like to reach our limits...this one pushed them to the max. The magic of Glacier is something we wish to see as much as possible of, while still able 👍⛰ Thank you!!

[@nolanventures473]

Yes…it was a haul. Thank you so much for the comments and for watching our videos. Enjoy the wilderness!

[@realtorpatphillips]

Thanks for another great video! Can I ask did you wear trail runners (waterproof?) and did your feet get wet? We will be hiking this in a week, with 2 nites at Sperry Chalet (+Sperry Glacier hike) and trying to decide which shoes to wear.

[@nolanventures473]

We both wear trail running shoes. We typically carry a pair of shoes to cross rivers and streams to keep our trail shoes dry. On this hike at the time there is only one area where our feet got wet. Crossing the waterfall that flows into Lake Ellen Wilson toward Gunsight Pass. We used our alternate shoes to cross it. Enjoy this wonderful trail!

[@kimberlynolan2745]

It is my opinion the trail running shoes on longer hikes like this reduce our overall foot fatigue, however it's definitely personal preference. My husband wears Hoka and I wear Nike, and they hold up extremely well over varying terrain. We see several people wearing boots while hiking as well, but for us, we feel better on longer hikes in our trail runners. Thank you, enjoy these tremendous trails.

[@realtorpatphillips]

We love love loved this hike (Sperry Chalet and hike to Sperry Glacier made it extra special) agree that it was very overgrown the first 6-7 miles. Wore trail runners and carried lightweight water shoes for over night and dipping in lakes. Keep up the inspirational videos (please😎)@@nolanventures473

[@malencid]

Great video. What time did you start and what time did you finish? How were the crowds?

[@nolanventures473]

Minimal people on this hike. It’s an all day event if you do it all in one day.

[@hikingelevated]

Crazy! I'm planning on this trail next month!! I'm going to do this in one long day but very early. Great job! How was this in terms of trails in Glacier?

[@kimberlynolan2745]

World class trails on this hike, like many others throughout Glacier. The only downfall to this trail is the massive overgrowth right now from Jackson Glacier Overlook to Gunsight lake. The first 5 miles is very overgrown. We did fine in shorts. Impressed with the trail in its entirety with this exception. The switchbacks up the north face of Mount Jackson make that ascent fantastic and enjoyable. Highly recommend 👍⛰

[@nolanventures473]

What she said👍

[@thomasballentine9496]

Looks like you chose an absolutely stunning day to do this hike. It appears that there was little wind as well. How many hours to do this hike?

[@nolanventures473]

It was an all day event for us. But we stopped at gunsight pass for about an hour for lunch, filtered water along the way, and obviously stopped for video and pictures quite a bit. Thankfully the days are long here in the summer. We started hiking at about 6:30am and finished at about 7:30pm. Many choose to get a backcountry camping permit(s) either at gunsight lake or lake Ellen Wilson and make it a two day hike. Enjoy the wilds!

[@sirpoo9669]

The wife and I were there in September 2017 during the Sprague creek fire. Heard you mention the Sperry Chalet. What a tragic loss that was. Did you guys secure any footage of it? Has it been rebuilt?

[@nolanventures473]

It is rebuilt and fully functional. We didn’t get any footage of it but there were people staying there and the kitchen was open.

[@yeelingvang3526]

as someone planning to head to the area either this year or next year, how did you guys leave your car at Lake McDonald but start on the other side?

[@nolanventures473]

We had dropped our vehicle at lake McDonald and had family drive us over to Jackson Glacier overlook.

[@SarahClesi]

4th yr in a row in Glacier, and this is on the list for this year. Want to do this August 31, but how to get to Jackson Glacier and leave car at Lake McDonald without taking the shuttle, which leaves too late in the a.m. and likely last shuttle to early to leave car at Jackson and catch back. Anyone ever tried hitching a ride with folks leaving Lake McDonald in the morning or are there trail fairies in the area?

[@nolanventures473]

Having two cars (or having someone take you from Lake McDonald Lodge to Jackson Glacier Overlook) is really the only way to do it in one day. You are correct that the shuttles won’t help.

[@peterb2346]

Dude! 22.5 Miles AND 5k elevation gain? How long were you in a coma after THAT?! Lol.....

[@nolanventures473]

It was a haul…but so rewarding. Needed a day after that.