After a change of plans that required us to go away Glacier Nationwide Park a day early, we have been left with solely ½ day within the Two Medication space, a lesser-visited various to highly regarded Many Glacier. In contrast to in Many Glacier, we opted for the boat tour this time, shaving off three miles of mountain climbing to the get nearer to the Continental Divide extra shortly. We had sufficient time for a brief hike—and the gentle, 4.4-mile stroll to Twin Falls and Higher Two Medication Lake did the trick.
Just like the rather more widespread Many Glacier, the Two Medication space of Glacier Nationwide Park additionally boasts tranquil lakes, picturesque valleys, towering peaks, and assortment of mountain climbing trails. One strong half-day choice is to mix a round-trip boat tour on Two Medication Lake with a 4.4-mile, comparatively simple hike to Higher Two Medication Lake. The latter passes the double chutes of Twin Falls alongside the best way earlier than culminating on the mile-long lake, set in a cirque with excessive, sharp partitions under Lone Walker Mountain and the Continental Divide.
The hike
Two Medication, within the southeast quadrant of Glacier Nationwide Park, has much more modest services than Many Glacier. Count on solely a ship dock, campground, park retailer, and a really small ranger station right here, leaving out the frills in favor of miles of lovely wilderness. Like elsewhere within the park, one of many highlights are the terrific sub-alpine lakes, filling the extra glacial valley.
To shorten the hike to Higher Two Medication (saving practically six miles round-trip), take one of many morning boat excursions ($20.25/spherical journey)—a pleasing expertise in itself. The boat leaves typically each hour, operating forwards and backwards from the pinnacle and mouth of Two Medication Lake.
The boat heads within the path of Sinopah Mountain (8,271’), Lone Walker Mountain (8,502’), Mount Helen (8,538’), and different peaks, a lot of which have been named by controversial early twentieth century trapper-turned-ranger Joe Cosley. The 15-minute trip ends at a modest boat dock and shelter the place Two Medication Creek flows into the lake.
From right here the path to Twin Falls bears west throughout boggy terrain with a brief boardwalk part. Come to a junction after simply 1/10 mile, persevering with proper on the Two Medication South Shore Path. The largely degree path finally yields to its first uphill steps however then returns to a simple tread by the thick woods. After round ¼ mile, the valley forward begins to take form, with the babbling stream inside earshot off to the correct.
After a few half mile the simple path crosses a picket bridge over Two Medication Creek, then inside minutes reaches a second junction. Bear left this time, bearing west and south earlier than crossing one other bridge, this time over a tributary fed by No Title Lake and the snowmelt off Dawson Move (7,598’). Hikers get a good peek by the timber right here to Pumpelly Pillar (7,620’), named for the chief of a railway survey celebration that handed by right here in 1883.
That is additionally the identical creek that feeds Twin Falls, and a spur path steps past the creek crossing results in the location. Right here the stream divides in two, forming separate drainages that each produce 80-foot cascades. The one on the left is extra spectacular and extra seen, with the opposite obscured partly by the thick undergrowth and wooden particles that clogs the streamway. These usually are not the world’s most spectacular waterfalls however a worthy detour en path to Higher Two Medication.
When prepared, return to the primary path and proceed proper on the Two Medication South Shore Path. The woody monitor ascends a gentle incline and, about 1/3 mile from the Twin Falls spur, emerges out into an open meadow with views of the spectacular granite hunks to the south and east, together with Rising Bull Ridge, Mount Rockwell (9,272’), and Lone Walker Mountain (8,502’).
With the pines giving solution to low scrub, cross a perennial pond all the way down to the left, round two miles from the beginning. It’s nonetheless just a little farther from right here, with a brief uphill part that culminates at a small campground and Higher Two Medication Lake.
The lake is notable for its relative vastness—giant relative to many others within the park at this elevation. The V-shaped valley ends at a headwall with a low however inaccessible lip, set just under Lone Walker Mountain. A small rocky seashore provides a spot to hold and admire the view, and there’s a giant assortment of fallen trunks on the mouth of the lake.
Not dangerous for a surprisingly simple 2.2-mile one-way hike, assisted after all by the round-trip boat journey. When prepared, return the best way you got here, heading again by the woods and floodplain to the boat dock and shelter. Should you’re feeling formidable, it’s potential to skip the boat and hike all the best way again to Two Medication, about 5 miles one-way from Higher Two Medication Lake.
