Glacier National Park
Established in 1910, Glacier National Park covers 1,583 square miles of spectacular wilderness in northwestern Montana. Defined by massive glacial action, it features over 700 lakes and straddles the Continental Divide. It is home to diverse wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, and mountain goats. The park is traversed by the iconic, 50-mile-long Going-to-the-Sun Road, offering breathtaking views. With over 700 miles of trails, it provides hiking options for every visitor.
About our Beaver Pond and Red Eagle Trails Hike
After a late picnic lunch and still on high alert from our three grizzlies encounter earlier in the morning, we drove to the Historic 1913 Ranger Station to begin a hike on the east side of Glacier National Park. We set out on the Beaver Pond Trail, an easy 3.75-mile loop with minimal elevation gain that connects with a portion of the Red Eagle Trail.
The route was beautifully secluded, and apart from seeing two other hikers occasionally, we had the wilderness to ourselves. Since the trails were overgrown, we spent our time perfecting our improvised bear alert song, singing it loudly to announce our presence:
Ninety-nine grizzly bears on the trail,
Ninety-nine grizzly bears.
Spray one down
And slap him around.
Ninety-eight grizzly bears on the trail.
We quickly turned left onto the Beaver Pond Trail, enjoying beautiful mountain views past the pond itself, though we unfortunately didn’t spot any beavers. Once we joined the Red Eagle Trail, we made the turn back toward the parking lot to complete our loop, avoiding the longer backcountry trek. The Red Eagle section took us through areas of burned forest, opening up views of St. Mary Lake, where we followed a short spur trail down to the lakeshore for a final, stunning view.
Hike Overview
- • Location: East Side of Glacier National Park, Montana
• Start/Finish: Red Eagle Trailhead
• Course Type: loop
• Course Surface: Packed dirt, gravel, and small rocks
• Distance: 3.76 miles
• Moving Time: 1:49:44
• Average Pace: 20:20 minute/mile
• Elevation Gain: 335 feet
• Elevation Range: 4,493 to 4,789 feet
• Weather: 68° and partly cloudy
• Date of Hike: July 6, 2025
• Start time: 4:24 PM
Fun Pictures from Along the Way
After parking near the St. Mary entrance, we made the very short walk to the Red Eagle Trailhead. Before setting out for the wilderness, we stopped to check out the Historic 1913 Ranger Station, which stands just a short distance from the parking lot.
This historic log ranger station, nestled among the quaking aspens, was built in 1913. It was one of the first National Park Service buildings erected on the east side of Glacier National Park. The station served as both living quarters and the central working location for the St. Mary rangers until the 1930s and remained in use as ranger housing afterward. Today, the station is recognized for its historical significance and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Once we were done exploring the historic building, we directed our steps onto the trail, quickly making the turn toward the Beaver Pond Loop.
The trail surface itself remained largely consistent, but the surrounding environment constantly changed, alternating between open fields and dense forested areas. Unfortunately, the path was often overgrown with chest-high weeds, which quickly made my decision to wear shorts a regret. The dense overgrowth was concerning because we were worried that bears could be eating nearby, and we wouldn’t see them until we were right on top of them.
Once we emerged from the worst of the overgrown section, we were all smiles again!
It was impossible to keep our eyes solely on the path ahead, as the continuous and amazing views that unfolded along the trail demanded our attention at every turn.
With my deep love for quaking aspens, this stretch was, without a doubt, my favorite section of the entire trail. Walking among the groves felt like stepping into a different world. The pure white bark of the trees stood in striking contrast to the deep greens of the surrounding evergreens, creating pockets of incredible brightness. As the slightest breeze passed through the canopy, the small, heart-shaped leaves lived up to their name, shimmering in the sunlight and creating that famous, soothing sound—a gentle rustling that always sounds exactly like falling rain. It was a truly magical and peaceful part of the hike.
The beaver pond area was truly a stunning scene. The beaver dam itself was really cool to see up close, even though we didn’t spot any of the industrious beavers that created it. The water’s surface offered a spectacular view, with the clouds reflecting beautifully off the pond and a towering mountain visible in the distance. The area was teeming with waterfowl; we observed several merganser ducks and geese, though the copious amount of goose poop served as a less scenic reminder of their presence.
As the trail led us into one final stretch of thick overgrowth, the sheer beauty of the quaking aspens surrounding us was so captivating that the dense weeds faded entirely from memory. The enchantment lasted until we were suddenly back in an open clearing, leaving the thicket behind us.
At the end of the Beaver Pond Trail, we made a sharp turn heading back toward the parking lot along the Red Eagle Trail.
Once we transitioned onto the Red Eagle Trail, the path became much more open in our direction of travel (the alternative would have led us deep into the backcountry toward Red Eagle Lake). This section started as a fire road and guided us through extensive burned-out areas, where scorched tree carcasses stood starkly against new, vibrant growth.
This dramatic, contrasting landscape was beautifully framed by a view of St. Mary Lake in the distance. The trailside was dotted with bursts of color from beautiful wildflowers, including bright pink Fireweed, yellow Sweet Clover, and the native pink-purple Sticky Geranium.
Before finishing our hike, we took the spur trail to St. Mary Lake, the second-largest lake in the park. This glacial lake is instantly recognizable for its deep blue, cold waters framed by dramatic, steep-sided mountains.
Reaching the shore of St. Mary Lake, we discovered a simple, thoughtful gesture: someone had arranged the shoreline rocks into a small cairn standing on driftwood beside a carefully crafted heart shape. It was a sweet, touching moment of human creativity found right at the water’s edge.
Garmin Stats
Garmin map and elevation graph…
Final Thoughts on Our Beaver Pond and Red Eagle Trails Hike
Despite both trails being quite secluded and overgrown, we thoroughly enjoyed the hike. While we kept our bear spray at the ready—still on high alert from encountering three grizzlies earlier in the day—we were able to focus on the truly outstanding scenery. The views were magnificent, ranging from the distant mountains and the mix of aspen and evergreen trees to the wide variety of wildflowers and ground cover. The wild beauty of the route made for an unforgettable finish to our day.
Questions
- • Have you visited Montana? ~ This was our second visit to Montana. Our first visit was in 2024.
- • The grove of quaking aspens was my favorite spot, with its distinct sound like whispering rain. What small, sensory detail – like the smell of pine or the sound of running water – most defines a favorite hike or nature walk for you?
- • I loved finding the small rock heart and cairn at the lake’s edge. Do you find these human additions add or take away from the beauty of an area?
That bear-alert song made me laugh! I’d have been on edge too after seeing three grizzlies earlier that day. The mix of overgrown trails and stunning aspens sounds both nerve-wracking and magical. Montana’s landscapes are breathtaking! The combo of lakes and mountains reminds me a bit of Switzerland, only more secluded and less populated – which is nicer!
We really did enjoy exploring Glacier’s trails and quite frankly, I was surprised that we didn’t see more people. Of course, some of the trails were more popular and we saw many people on those.
This is so, so beautiful. No, I’ve never been to Montana. Just yesterday I was fantasizing about winning the lottery- I would immediately quit my job and take a trip to the northwest, and Glacier National Park would be on my itinerary (note to self- remember to buy lottery ticket today…)
I think the rock heart would add to my experience, not take away. A little moment of connection with other hikers who have passed through!
I hope you bought a lottery ticket and won! 🙂 I really want to visit Crater Lake – not sure when we’ll get there, but it’s definitely on our agenda.
I agree, as long as it’s not permanent and doesn’t confuse hikers (like building a cairn that might make hikers think the trail goes a different way), I like the temporary art.
We only drove around St Mary Lake, but did not hike around that area like you did. It will be on my list of hikes when I return there! Funny you should ask about the cairns… if they were created by people who are not park rangers, I’m annoyed by them! I think they were kind of cool when people first made them, but now they are every where and I feel like it’s kind of like graffiti. I know, I’m the Grinch. That heart was cute though, I wouldn’t be bothered by that one 🙂
I don’t like seeing a cairn built by someone near a trail that might make hikers think the trail goes a different way, but this one I was okay with since it was obvious the trail didn’t lead into the lake.
Oh how stunning. And I love your bear song.
Part of me loves the little human creations, but other parts of me prefers things be left alone. Hopefully it doesn’t cause harm, and I’m so glad it brought you joy.
I don’t know that I’ve ever seen or heard quaking aspens. How cool.
Quaking aspens are my favorite tree – I really wish I could grow them in our back yard, but it’s way too warm here. We do have a white birch and it reminds me of them. Our arborist was shocked to see it in our yard and said he’d never seen one this far south.