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Brown Pass and Hole In The Wall

Glacier Park

Brown Pass / Hole In The Wall

Includes Bowman Lake Trail, Bowman Lake, Bowman Pass, Hole In The Wall Area, Hole In The Wall Falls

Brown Pass (west view), Glacier National Park

View of Hole In The Wall Area from Brown Pass, Glacier National Park.

Brown Pass & Hole In The Wall

Hole In The Wall Falls, trail to Brown Pass, Glacier National Park

This is view of the incredible 800+ foot Hole In The Wall Falls from the Bowman Lake Trail on the way to Brown Pass in Glacier National Park.

Brown Pass

The hike to Brown Pass (6,255 feet) is one of the premier hikes in Glacier National Park.  Located in the remote northern wilderness of Glacier Park, this amazing hike begins at the Bowman Lake Campground in the Polebridge - North Fork Area of Glacier National Park.

The Northern Wilderness of Glacier National Park is some of the most scenic and rugged landscapes in North America, and unfortunately not many people get to see it because it requires overnight backpacking to cover this vast, untamed area.  But if you enjoy overnight backpacking, Glacier Park's Northern Wilderness is your dream come true.  This magical and majestic area of Glacier Park is yours to explore and enjoy!  The Northern Wilderness provides some of the best hikes in Glacier National Park.
The two most popular overnight Glacier Park hikes that take an overnight backpacker over Brown Pass is the 36.6 mile hike starting at either Bowman Lake Campground, connecting up with the Boulder Pass Trail, and ending up at Kintla Lake Campground or vice versa (we recommend starting at Kintla Lake), or the 22 mile hike from the Bowman Lake Campground to Goat Haunt Ranger Station (or vice versa).  These Glacier National Park overnight backpacking adventures cover some of the most beautiful country you'll ever see in your entire life.

For detailed information on the Polebridge - North Fork Area, click here.

The Hike to Brown Pass and Hole In The Wall....

Trailhead:  Bowman Lake Campground (Foot)

Distance:  13.8 miles to Brown Pass (one way)

Distance:   16.0 miles to Hole In The Wall.

Elevation Gain:  2,200 vertical feet

Bowman Lake Trail (Mile 0 to 7.1)

Your hike to Bowman Pass in Glacier National Park begins at the Bowman Lake Campground.  The trail head begins here.  You will take the Bowman Lake Trail along the entire north shore of Bowman Lake, where in 7.1 miles you will reach the Bowman Lake (Head) Backcountry Campground.  The hike is relatively flat, with only a few up-and-down hills to attempt to tire you out while carrying your overnight pack.  Across Bowman Lake to the south you will enjoy views of Square PeakRainbow Peak and Mount Carter as you hike your way to the head of the lake.  Most backpackers will stay their first night at this campground to rest up for the "steep stuff" that awaits them on the following day.

Bowman Lake, Glacier National Park

The Bowman Lake Trail in Glacier National Park follows the north shore of Bowman Lake.  This hike to the Bowman Lake Campground (Head) is relatively flat, and provides not only great views of Bowman Lake but also of Square Peak, Rainbow Peak and Mount Carter.  The campground is located near the base of those mountains far in the distance.

Bowman Lake Campground (Head) (Mile 7.1)

The Bowman Lake Campground (Head) is a fun place to camp, and it is right next to the lakeshore.  You may be sharing the camp with canoers and kayakers who paddled up Bowman Lake to enjoy the night here as well.  This backcountry campground is also a popular place for hikers because it is receiving backpackers who are coming from the Kintla Lake Area of Glacier Park and the Goat Haunt Area of Glacier Park, as well as backpackers heading for these areas.  It's truly a gathering place for hikers from all over the Northern Wilderness of Glacier National Park.

Bowman Lake Campground (Head), Glacier National Park

The Bowman Lake Campground (Head) is a fun place to camp during your hike to Brown Pass and beyond.  The campground rests very close to the shore of Bowman Lake, which is a real treat.  This is Shannon enjoying a meal at the food preparation area.

Whitetail deer, Bowman Lake Campground (Head), Glacier National Park

In addition to hikers and kayakers sharing the Bowman Lake Campground (Head) with you, you will also be blessed with the company of several whitetail deer that hang around the camp all season long.  We took this photo right out of our tent!

Bowman Lake Camground (Head), Bowman Lake, Glacier National Park

This is a view of Bowman Lake from the shore of the Bowman Lake Backcountry Campground (Head) in Glacier National Park.  The mountain in the center is Thunderbird Mountain, and is where your hike to Brown Pass will take you.

The Hike from Bowman Lake Campground (Head) to Brown Pass (Mile 7.1 to mile 13.8)

The hike from the Bowman Lake Campground (Head) to Brown Pass is one of the premiere hikes in Glacier National Park.  You will see incredibly rugged mountains and amazing waterfalls that very few people ever get to witness.  This 6.7 mile hike will climb about 2,200 vertical feet, where most of the vertical climb is in the last two miles of this hike.  In addition to enjoying fantastic views of the Hole In The Wall Waterfall, you will become dwarfed by gigantic mountains such as Mount Peabody, Boulder PeakMount Chapman and Thunderbird Mountain.  This is our favorite stretch of this hike, and it is undoubtedly one of the premier Glacier National Park hikes.

Bowman Creek, Brown Pass, Glacier National Park

Two of the major foot bridges were washed out during this particular trip, so we had to cross Bowman Creek in river sandals.  TALK ABOUT COLD WATER!  Our feet were numb by the time we crossed the creek!

Boulder Peak, Hike to Brown Pass, Glacier National Park

As you hike along Bowman Creek toward Brown Pass in Glacier National Park, you will begin seeing Boulder Peak to your left.

On your hike from the head of Bowman Lake to Brown Pass, you will get fantastic views of the spectacular Hole In The Wall Waterfall.  This 800+ foot waterfall gushes down the gigantic Hole In The Wall Headwall, and is located directly below the Hole In The Wall Backcountry Campground.  This amazing waterfall is one of the most awe-inspiring of all the hundreds of waterfalls in Glacier National Park, and there is no better view of this great waterfall than from the trail leading up to Brown Pass.

Hole In The Wall Waterfall, Hike to Brown Pass, Glacier National Park

The Hole In The Wall Waterfall is over 800 feet tall and is just one of the highlights of your hike to Brown Pass in Glacier National Park.  The hike to Brown Pass is definitely one of the premiere hikes in Glacier Park.

Boulder Peak, Hike to Brown Pass, Glacier National Park

A view of Boulder Peak from the Bowman Lake Trail in Glacier National Park.  Your hike to Brown Pass provides amazing views all the way to the pass.

Thunderbird Mountain, Hike to Brown Pass, Glacier National Park

Just as Boulder Peak dominates the landscape to your left, Thunderbird Mountain dominates your view to your right as you hike to Brown Pass along the Bowman Lake Trail.  Thunderbird Mountain is an icon of the Northern Wilderness of Glacier National Park.

Bowman Lake Trail, Hike to Brown Pass, Glacier National Park

As the Bowman Lake Trail continues to gain in elevation, you will begin to see a glimpse of Bowman Lake far below you in the distance as you continue your hike to Brown Pass in Glacier Park.

Bowman Lake Trail, Hike to Brown Pass, Glacier National Park

The hike to Brown Pass along the Bowman Lake Trail in Glacier Park is very scenic and is an extremely enjoyable hike, that is if your overnight pack isn't too heavy!

Bowman Lake Trail, Hike to Brown Pass, Glacier National Park

Kintla Lake is a gorgeous lake that extends 6.3 miles into the northern wilderness of Glacier National Park.  This is a view from the Kintla Lake Campground at the foot of the long, narrow lake.

Brown Pass Campground

Brown Pass Campground, Glacier National Park0.3 miles prior to reaching the "official" Brown Pass, you will see the Brown Pass Backcountry Campground to your right.  This is an essential campground for those carrying heavy overnight backpacks coming from Goat Haunt Ranger Station, but it's not the most pleasant campground to stay at if you don't bring your MOSQUITO REPELLANT.  This area is the "mosquito capital of Glacier Park", and if you're not prepared, you will literally be picked up and carried away by mosquitos!  So please- if you want to "survive" this hike, bring a ton of mosquito repellant...Seriously!

Brown Pass (Mile 13.8)

West from Brown Pass in Glacier National Park

This is a view to the west from Brown Pass in Glacier National Park.  Boulder Peak and Mount Peabody dominate the western skyline.  To the right of this photo not shown is Mount Chapman.  If your timing is lucky, the meadows on Brown Pass are full of blooming wildflowers!  The hike to Brown Pass is without question one of the top hikes in Glacier National Park.

Brown Pass, Glacier National ParkOn Brown Pass, you will have amazing views of Boulder Peak and Mount Peabody to the west.  To the east you will see the Citadel Peaks and the gigantic Mount Cleveland, which is the highest mountain in Glacier National Park.  The long valley that you are looking through to the east is the Olson Creek Valley.  The massive mountain looming directly to the north is Mount Chapman.

 

Brown Pass is where the Bowman Lake Trail and the Boulder Pass Trail meet, and marks the end of the Bowman Lake Trail.  If you head to the left (west), you will hike to Hole In The WallBoulder Pass and the Kintla Lake (Foot) Campground (22.8 miles).  If you head to your right on the Boulder Pass Trail, you will hike down through the Olson Creek Valley, which is home to Lake FrancisLake Janet and end up at the Goat Haunt Ranger Station (8.6 miles from Brown Pass). See map below.

Brown Pass, Glacier National Park

This is a view to the east from Brown Pass.  Far in the distance is the massive Mount Cleveland, the tallest peak in Glacier National Park.  In front of Mount Cleveland are the Citadel Peaks.  This point is where the Bowman Lake Trail and the Boulder Pass Trail meet. Note the trail heading straight east.  This is part of the Boulder Pass Trail that takes you down the long Olson Creek Valley to Goat Haunt Ranger Station (8.4 miles from Brown Pass), where the Boulder Pass Trail ends.

Brown Pass, Fireweed, Glacier National Park

The high meadows on Brown Pass often display incredible wildflowers.

The Hike to Hole In The Wall (Mile 13.8 to 16.0)

If you'd like to keep hiking, where your trail meets the Boulder Pass Trail, (this junction is clearly marked by trail signs), take a left and head west to Hole In The Wall, which is about 2.2 additional miles one way.  This trail will work its way along the base of the south face of Mount Chapman, and then will head northward once the trail gets completely around the huge mass of Mount Chapman.  This is where you will get your first good look at the famous Hole In The Wall Area.

Boulder Pass Trail, Hike to Brown Pass, Glacier National Park

Shannon hiking towards the famous Hole In The Wall.  At Brown Pass, the Boulder Pass Trail takes you westward along the south base of the massive Mount Chapman.  The trail eventually wraps around the west flank of Mount Chapman and enters the Hole In The Wall Area.  This hike is about 2.2 miles from Brown Pass.

Boulder Pass Trail, hike to Hole In The Wall, Glacier National Park

The hike to Hole In The Wall from Brown Pass along the Boulder Pass Trail is an absolutely gorgeous hike.  This is one of those Glacier Park hikes that you will never forget! 

Boulder Pass Trail, Brown Pass, Glacier National Park

The views along the Boulder Pass Trail on your hike to Hole In The Wall in Glacier National Park are spectacular!

Brown Pass, Hole In The Wall, Glacier National Park

The hike along the Boulder Pass Trail in Glacier National Park becomes more and more incredible the closer you get to Hole In The Wall.

Hole In The Wall, Boulder Pass Trail, Glacier National Park

The trail near the Hole In the Wall gets very interesting and fun.  There are a lot of cliffs to look up at and down at!  Just to the left of Shannon is a gash in this huge wall that drops straight down over 1,200 feet!

Hole In The Wall (Mile 16.0)

Hole In The Wall, Boulder Pass Trail, Glacier National Park

Once the Boulder Pass Trail reaches the west end of Mount Chapman, the trail begins to head northward (see photo above).  This is where you'll begin to really see the incredible Hole In The Wall Area.  The Hole In The Wall is an iconic area of the great Northern Wilderness of Glacier National Park, and is one of the top hikes in Glacier Park.

The Hole In The Wall is a magnificent "Hanging Canyon", carved by massive glaciers tens of thousands of years ago.  Boulder Peak looms over the top of this amazing place to the west, and the most prominent feature that you can't help but notice is the giant Hole In The Wall Headwall.  This 1,200 foot shear wall is where the Hole In The Wall Waterfall plunges over.  Just above this mighty headwall rests the Hole In The Wall Backcountry Campground.

Hole In The Wall, Glacier National Park

This is a view of the famous Hole In the Wall from the Boulder Pass Trail (facing west).  This legendary area is a Glacier National Park icon and is one the most popular backcountry hikes in Glacier Park.

As you continue hiking along the Boulder Pass Trail northward around Mount Chapman, you will eventually reach an intersection where a trail will take you down to the actual Hole In The Wall Campground, which lies in the cirque above the Hole In The Wall Falls.  If you keep going on the main trail, it will take you over Boulder Pass and then down to Upper Kintla Lake and will finally terminate at the Kintla Lake Campground (Foot), a mere 20.6 miles from Hole In The Wall Backcountry Campground!

Hole In The Wall, Glacier National Park

This is another view of the famous Hole In The Wall.  The notch on the horizon just to the right below Boulder Peak is Boulder Pass (see photo above).  The Hole In The Wall Campground is located in the basin just above Shannon's head.  The hike from Brown Pass to Hole In the Wall is definitely one of the top hikes in Glacier National Park.

Hole In The Wall, Glacier National Park

Just above the Hole In The Wall is the east side of Boulder Pass, which rests directly north below the towering Boulder Peak.  A short trail takes you directly to the campground, whereas the main trail loops around the cirque above the campground and then works its way up the steep headwall to Boulder Pass and beyond, ending at Kintla Lake.

Hole In The Wall, Glacier National Park

This is a view to the south from Hole In Wall in Glacier National Park.  The large peak to the right is Boulder Peak.

Thunderbird Mountain, Hole In The Wall, Glacier National Park

This is a view of the massive Thunderbird Mountain looking south from Hole In The Wall in Glacier National Park.

A View From Boulder Peak

Boulder Peak Summit View, Brown Pass, Hole In The Wall, Glacier National Park

This is a view of your the hike up the Bowman Lake Trail to Brown Pass and eventually Hole In The Wall from the summit of Boulder Peak. You are facing east.

Boulder Peak Summit View, Hole In The Wall, Glacier National Park

This is another view of the Hole In The Wall Area from the summit of Boulder Peak.  You are looking east. 


For details on the Boulder Pass Trail to Kintla Lake, click here.

For details on the Boulder Pass Trail to Olson Creek Valley, click here.

For details on Goat Haunt, click here.

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