The first few miles of the hike passes through a thick forest; however, at roughly one mile from the trailhead you'll reach an opening in the canopy that provides some outstanding views of the Cracker Flats area. Over the course of the first 1.7 miles of this hike you'll be sharing the trail with horses from the concessioners corral at Many Glacier. 5000′ of vertical rock above Cracker Lake. The Cracker Lake Mine was established on the southern end of the lake at the foot of Mt. It appears to tumble at least 200 feet down the cliff. First view of the lake. The 1,400 foot elevation gain may be less than half of what we experienced in Big Pine but is still considered “strenuous” by many hiking metrics. Mine Owner Land Status Work Type Minerals; Badger Creek Deposits: Iron Titanium: Borrow Pit: Sand and Gravel: Bufflo Lake Deposit: Iron Titanium: Cracker Lake Mine: National Park: Copper: East Kiowa No. The Cracker Lake Mine was established on the southern end of the lake at the foot of Mt. Almost immediately after starting your hike you'll reach a split in the trail. var cx = 'partner-pub-9736755019159052:xpuzw9d2li5'; Although you won't actually be able to see the lake from this vantage point, you will be able to see the headwall between Mt. The deep turquoise color of this glacially fed lake is a result of light refraction through its suspended load of glacial silt. Cracker Lake Mine (Cracker Mine), Glacier Co., Montana, USA Cracker Lake Mine (Cracker Mine), Glacier Co., Montana, USA This page is currently not sponsored. Cracker Lake is located in the Many Glacier region of the park, and it ranks among most people’s top 10 hikes to do in Glacier National Park. Privacy. The Cracker Lake Trail has a long reputation for bear sightings, and for obvious reasons. Photo Credit to Howard Stone. The former townsite was buried under water after the Lake Sherburne reservoir filled the valley in 1921. From this point forward you'll enjoy spectacular views of the deep canyon you entered a couple miles back, as well as fantastic views of your final destination. My favorite thing about the Cracker Lake Trail is I hardly saw another human being.. That’s right; I went to Glacier National Park and escaped the crowds. Looking back on the lake. Cracker Lake Trail is a 12 mile hike deep into Glacier National Park through grizzly territory. This is still another half-mile away, but well worth the effort. ... Cracker Lake Mine Near Saint Mary, Montana. Cracker Lake is famous for its beautiful turquoise water color thanks to rock flour (silt) elements from Siyeh Glacier. A stalwart hiker poses at Cracker Lake, very near the location of the Cracker Jack Mine. gcse.type = 'text/javascript'; Almost immediately after jumping the man hit a wall and his parachute became caught on a rock roughly 400 feet below the summit. Flathead, MT County, Montana Location. Siyeh, and sitting like a gem more than 4000 feet below is Cracker Lake. The Cracker Mine at the head of Cracker Lake opened in the same year. Filter 73 mines by commodity, disposition, development status, and record type in Flathead County, Montana. To continue on towards Cracker Lake hikers should turn left at this junction. Depending on the season, this section of trail can be either extremely muddy, or it will be dusty and deeply rutted as a result of heavy horse traffic. The Cracker Lake Mine and the boom town of Altyn If you’ve ever had the chance to hike to Cracker Lake in Glacier National Park, it’s likely you’re aware of the remnants of the old mine located near the far end of the lake. The land containing the Cracker Lake and Bulls Head mines changed hands several time in the years to follow and was finally picked up on a tax deed from Glacier County on September 22, 1953 by the Glacier Natural History Association. Also, just beyond the red rock outcropping is a side trail that leads down to the backcountry campground (which includes 3 campsites). function ml_webform_success_2150690(){var r=ml_jQuery||jQuery;r(".ml-subscribe-form-2150690 .row-success").show(),r(".ml-subscribe-form-2150690 .row-form").hide()}. Siyeh. However, after the mine went bust, so did the town. One of the financial backers of the Cracker Lake Mine was Dave Greenwood Altyn. The hike to Cracker Lake in Glacier National Park begins from the Piegan Pass / Cracker Lake Trailhead, located at the south end of the parking lot above the Many Glacier Hotel. The lake can be reached by a 6.1 mi (9.8 km) trail from the Piegan Pass with 1400 ft (427 m) elevation gain. As a result, hikers should be extra vigilant on this trail. gcse.src = 'https://cse.google.com/cse.js?cx=' + cx; 8. It is a destination I have been wanting to make it to since last summer and it felt so surreal finally rounding the corner to see the icy blue Cracker Lake nestled below towering 4000' mountains. It is possible!. If it were possible to ignore the magnificent scenery of the surrounding mountains, it would still be well worth the hike just to see this incredibly beautiful color. This break in the canopy offers the first views of the canyon, formed in part by the steep slopes of Allen Mountain. It doesn't quite go all the way to the bottom, but you could make it to the shore with a little bit of off-trail bushwhacking. Montana, County:  . Eventually, you'll come to the Cracker Lake Mine remains. Make sure you make a lot of noise, travel in groups of three or more, and carry bear spray. Route Description for Cracker Lake Expect a muddy, buggy first 3.2km, as horses from Many Glacier share this trail! Notes: Those who may have extra energy once at Craker Lake should also hike to the old Cracker Lake Mine site. The Cracker Lake Mine is a copper mine located in Glacier county, Montana at an elevation of 6,079 feet. Entering the mine, however, is strictly prohibited. 6,079 Feet At the Cracker Lake mine, a tunnel had been driven some thirteen hundred feet into the mountain, including some four hundred feet along the vein. According to legend the mine received its name when two prospectors, L. C. Emmonds and Hank Norris, after staking their claim, had a lunch of cheese and crackers on the site. Before the park was established, there was a copper mine at the head of the lake. The 6.1 mile (12.2 roundtrip), hike to Cracker Lake includes wooded forests, grand views of lakes and mountains, creek crossings, distant waterfalls, mining ruins, possible wildflowers and wildlife, and a swim in turquoise water. The Cracker Lake Mine was established after copper ore was discovered below Mt. If hiking on a bright sunny day, you'll be immediately struck by the most amazing turquoise color you could ever imagine. A town bearing his name was built near Cracker Flats, and was active from 1898 to 1902. In the course of the hike, we encountered waterfalls, glaciers, a wide range of ecosystems, a bull moose, and a grizzly bear. Located at the head of a canyon, Cracker Lake is framed by Mount Siyeh, Cracker Peak, and Allen Mountain. At roughly 3.25 miles from the trailhead you'll emerge from the forest. According to legend the mine received its name when two prospectors, L. C. Emmonds and Hank Norris, after staking their claim, had a lunch of cheese and crackers on the site. Cracker Lake Lake, 750 feet north; Cracker Mine Mine, 770 feet south; Cracker Mountain, 3700 feet south; Siyeh Glacier Glacier, 4200 feet southwest; Mount Siyeh Mountain, 1 mile south; Preston Park Plain, 1 mile south; Other Places. A daring rescue involving 8 rangers and several other park employees pulled the man to safety, who suffered only minor injuries. Document Archive | The highlight of Alex's and my trip to Montana earlier this month was an overnight at the Cracker Lake backcountry campsite in Glacier. It travels through prime grizzly bear habitat, passes through a lot of tall vegetation, including many berry patches, and makes a lot of twists and turns, thus creating numerous blind spots along the route. Later in the season, it may be scorched and rutted – either way, the first 3.2km are quite challenging to get through. Copper Commodity. Vivid colors. . According to legend the mine received its name when two prospectors, L. C. Emmonds and Hank Norris, had a lunch of cheese and crackers on the site after staking their claim. A lesson in the industrial age may seem farfetched in such a remote location, but at the end of the lake, visitors will find the leftovers of the Cracker Lake Mine. Cracker Lake is a surreal-colored lake in the Many Glacier valley. Day Hikes of Glacier National Park Map-Guide. In addition to the tunnel the miners built a sawmill and erected a 16,000-pound steam driven concentrator to process the ore. Modern day explorers can still find mine tailings and some of the abandoned machinery around the old mine site today. At roughly 2.3 miles you may catch a glimpse of an impressive waterfall flowing off the cliff straight ahead of you. Please read this Disclaimer / Privacy Policy Please consider becoming a member. Mining artifacts from the Cracker Lake Mine (Click for more info) Portrait. var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; Towering above the south end of the lake is 10,014-foot Mt. cestovatel25 / TripAdvisor The mine was established in 1897 after copper was discovered on the south shore of the lake. Not only that, but this lake is one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen, and I live in Alaska. Cracker Lake also was the site of mining activity in the past, and some of the ruins are still there today. My book on the history of hiking has much more information about trail development in Glacier, as well as the early years of the park. At 4.75 miles the trail finally emerges from the forest for the last time. IBEX Mine Reports: Cracker Creek District: Lake Creek Prospect Claim: Lake Creek Prospect Report: Cracker Creek District: Mountain View Mine Claim: Mountain View Mine Reports: Cracker Creek District: North Pole-Columbia Lode Claim: North Pole Lode Letters: Cracker Creek District: Heading for the Cracker Mine (dark gray in the meadow are mine tailings) We arrived at the junction up the rock about mile 6.7, but instead of turning up onto the rock, we kept walking past the junction down to the campground (approx. Looking out over Swiftcurrent Lake. On this particular trip, I saw mountain goats, a moose and a bear in addition to … Unfortunately you won't have a real clear view as the waterfall is partially hidden by trees, and the trail never gets any closer. Cracker Flats. At roughly 5.8 miles hikers will arrive at an overlook that provides outstanding views from the north end of Cracker Lake. A town bearing his name was built near Cracker Flats, and was active from 1898 to 1902. var gcse = document.createElement('script'); About the MRDS Data: All mine locations were obtained from the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. The locations and other information in this database have not been verified for accuracy. For those that still have the energy to do some additional exploring you'll have the option of continuing on towards the old Cracker Lake Mine site. But beauty awaits you on the other side! before using any information on this site. A little more than a half-mile from this spot you’ll cross over Canyon Creek, at which point the trail heads back into the forest for another long stretch. Hopes were so high for the Cracker Jack and Bullshead Mine on the shoulder of Mt. Swiftcurrent Pass. Beyond the mine the trail finally reaches the shoreline at the far end of the lake. There have been quite a few bear sightings on this trail, which is understandable considering it's grizzly territory. (1,853 Meters). Cracker Lake Hike, Glacier National Park Picture: Old mine equipment - Check out Tripadvisor members' 12,896 candid photos and videos of Cracker Lake Hike Directly across the basin from this perch is 9376-foot Allen Mountain. The Cracker Lake Mine was established in 1897 after copper was discovered on the shore of the lake. Once the location of a mine, this lake is nestled in a basin with towering walls and an abundance of wildlife. As another interesting piece of history concerning the area, a BASE jumper leapt off of Mt. Siyeh. (function() { Once the location of a mine, this lake is nestled in a basin with towering walls and an abundance of wildlife. Many Glacier is probably my favorite section of the park for it’s intense stunning beauty and glacial colored lakes. The mountains across the upper reaches of Lake Sherburne create a magnificent scene during the early morning hours. According to legend the mine received its name when two prospectors, L. C. Emmonds and Hank Norris, after staking their claim, had a lunch of cheese and crackers on the site. To continue towards the lake hikers should proceed straight ahead at this junction. Hikers should also take a look at the walls surrounding the lake where you'll likely notice some really interesting sedimentary layers of multi-colored rock. However, after the mine went bust, so did the town. This onetime robust little settlement got its name from Dave Altyn, one of the mine’s financial backers. Smoke rolling in from the south. You could stop at this point, but the views are even better from the red rock outcropping further up the trail. Seriously? A little information about the mining: By 1910, when Glacier National Park was finally formed, only a small number of these consolidated claims remained. Glacier, Elevation: Premium members have access to Google dynamic maps. Folks who hoped to profit from the mining operations built the town of Altyn near the mouth of Canyon Creek. One Dead Digger Mine Near Essex, Montana. Cracker Lake in Glacier Park is nestled in a huge glacial cirque, and is surrounded by a natural cathedral of towering walls and peaks. The former townsite was buried under water after the Lake Sherburne reservoir filled the valley in 1921. Please add your email address and specify your topics of interest. @ document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); HikinginGlacier.com. According to legend the mine received its name when two prospectors, L. C. Emmonds and Hank Norris, had a lunch of cheese and crackers on the site after staking their claim. Swiftcurrent Pass takes hikers up the mountainside, offering views … Cracker Lake is a surreal-colored lake in the Many Glacier valley. Click here to sponsor this page. The Cracker Lake Mine was established in 1897 after copper was discovered on the south shore of the lake. . Mining Town Archive | One of the financial backers of the Cracker Lake Mine was Dave Greenwood Altyn. All mine locations were obtained from the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Although miners dug a thirteen hundred foot tunnel into the mountain, and the vein looked fairly promising, a mining expert from Helena eventually determined that the site wouldn't be profitable, and discouraged further development. Camp views. It should be assumed that all mines are on private property. All rights reserved. Siyeh in 1997, intending to land near Cracker Lake. According to the legend, the mine received it name when L.C.Emmonds and Hank Norris, had a lunch of cheese and crackers on the site after stalking their claim. After passing the horse loop the trail climbs a couple of switchbacks, and then begins ascending a ridge where you'll have the fairly unusual occurrence of being able to see two creeks flowing down valleys on either side of you: Allen on your right, and Canyon Creek on your left. Siyeh in 1898 and a town site was established at nearby Cracker Flats. Want to get a bird’s eye view of Glacier National Park? gcse.async = true; Cracker Lake Hike, Glacier National Park Picture: Cracker lake and an old mine site - Check out Tripadvisor members' 12,848 candid photos and videos of Cracker Lake Hike An email has been sent to the address you entered, please click the link in that email to confirm your address. State:  "Cracker" Lake? Siyeh and Allen Mountain. At 1400ft elevation gain, the trail never gets too taxing. s.parentNode.insertBefore(gcse, s); Cracker Lake is a surreal-colored lake in the Many Glacier valley. The Cracker Lake Mine is a copper mine located in Glacier county, Montana at an elevation of 6,079 feet. At just over 1.4 miles hikers will arrive at the Cracker Flats Horse Loop. From the outcropping hikers will stand roughly one hundred feet above the lake. Copyright On this particular trip, I saw mountain goats, a moose and a bear in addition to many birds, flowers and small mammals such as marmots and Columbian ground squirrels. })(); Copyright © 2020 | Prospect Development Status. The mine was established in 1897 after copper was discovered on the south shore of the lake. Eventually the lake was named after the mine. After continuing for another two-tenths of a mile you'll cross a footbridge over Allen Creek, and shortly thereafter, will reach the far end of the horse loop. At the Cracker Lake mine, a tunnel had been driven some thirteen hundred feet into the mountain, including some four hundred feet along the vein. 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