Climb Stanton Mountain

West Glacier, Montana

Save

View all 5 photos

All 5 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

7.54 miles

Elevation Gain

4354 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Noah Couser

Enjoy a wonderfully painful test of your endurance while climbing 4,600 feet to the summit of Stanton Mountain. The summit offers breathtaking views of McDonald Valley and Lake.

To climb Stanton Mountain, begin at the Howe Ridge Trail on the Northwest shore of Lake McDonald. The trail climbs swiftly 2.3 miles to Howe Ridge where a "climber's trial" ambles off to your immediate right. Follow this trail directly up the ridge, up, and up, and up. The ridge opens up to some spectacular views of the Trout Lake Drainage to the North, and the McDonald Lake Drainage to the South. Total elevation gain is roughly 4,600ft, but it's worth every step.

Enjoy 360 degree views from the summit, and catch a glimpse of the ridge line that leaves Stanton to connect with Mount Vaught, McPartland, and eventually on to Heaven's Peak.

Be sure to bring bear spray and extra layers as weather can change quickly. A more detailed route description can be found here: summitpost.org

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Download GPX File

Features

Hiking

Scenic

Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Bike Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park

Every Spring (May - June) Going-to-the-Sun road remains closed to cars long after the snow has been plowed and melted. However, just past the Lake McDonald Lodge a sign declares the road open to Hikers and Bikers, providing one of Montana's best adventures. Follow Going-to-the-Sun Road in from West Glacier and drive as far as you can before hitting the road closure fence. Then, park in the ne...

Hike to the Mt. Brown Lookout

The trail is accessible (though sometimes covered in snow) year-round because the trailhead lies in the lower elevation area of the park. It begins at the Sperry Trailhead, located directly across the street from the lake McDonald Lodge. Follow the Sperry Trail for 1.6 miles until you reach the Mt. Brown Junction and go left up the mountain.Located on top of Mt. Brown is an abandoned fire looko...

Sperry Glacier Basin, Glacier NP

Starting out at the Sperry Trailhead adjacent to Lake McDonald Lodge, climb 9 miles up the trail to Comeau Pass. The trail climbs steadily, and quickly weeds out the faint of heart, but it is well worth the sore legs. Follow the trail signs to Comeau Pass, and then continue East into the basin itself to find breathtaking views of the entire Sperry Glacier clinging to the North Face of Gunsigh...

Hike to Comeau Pass

Your hike will being at the Sperry Trailhead adjacent to the Lake McDonald Lodge. As you get moving on the hike, you'll pass the Sperry Chalet. If 17.5 miles seems a little long for a day hike, you can look into staying over at the Sperry Chalet (reservations required). This will mean that you'll be cutting the climb up to the pass to a 1500' elevation gain from the Chalet. You'll be finishing ...

Snyder Lakes, Glacier NP

Starting out at the Sperry Trailhead, adjacent to Lake McDonald Lodge, climb along the trail until you see the branch off to your left for Snyder Lakes. Continue climbing through wooded trees with glimpses of the surrounding mountains until reaching the lower lake. There is not much for a trail to the upper lake, but it's a relatively painless bushwhack. Catch a few fish, take a cold dive, or...

Camp at Sprague Creek Campground on Lake McDonald

Ten miles long and nearly 500 feet deep, Lake McDonald, the largest lake in Glacial National Park. Sprague Creek is a small 25-site campground on the northeast shore of the lake, about 9 miles from the west entrance of the park. Campsites are on a first-come, first-serve basis and fill up early. Potable water is accessible in the campground, and restroom facilities provide flush toilets and si...