Gunsight Pass Trail Video, 2008.

The Gunsight Pass Trail is 20.6 miles long starting on Going to the Sun Road between Logan Pass and St Mary Lake and ending at the Lake McDonald Lodge. With day hike access to 2 glaciers, stunning scenery and 3,000 feet of total climb, it is deserving of a multi day backpacking experience.

Our original itinerary was to take us to the Nyack area. However when we went to get our permit, the ranger advised us that we would encounter over 200 downed trees on the trail. Plus one of our party was late and we were now missing a hiking day. This two night hike was available so we grabbed it. First thing in the morning we had to shuttle a car to Lake McDonald and then drive Going to the Sun Road to the Gunsight Trailhead. The hike to Gunsight Lake is up St Mary's Valley passing Deadwood Falls on the way. There is a 600 climb from the valley to Gunsight Lake. We spent the night there and headed up over the pass the next morning. The pass was socked in so the views were limited but when the clouds parted, they were spectacular. It is about 1600 feet to the top of the pass.

Sitting on top of the pass is a stone shelter. From the shelter it is switch-backing down to Ellen Wilson Lake. The main trail stays above the lake but there is a spur trail to the Ellen Wilson campsite. We pressed on and crossed Lincoln Pass just as the sun broke through. About 300 feet below is Sperry Camp and a little further is Sperry Chalet. We camped at the camp and were visited by mountain goat. It is a 3500 foot descent to Lake McDonald.