Siddharth Divi

Hiker, backpacker, and explorer documenting his journeys one trail at a time.

Trip Date(s): September 12-17, 2025

Trip Overview

What started as a Many Glacier → Cracker Lake (Night 1) → Poia Lake (Night 2) → Elizabeth Lake Foot (Night 3) plan turned into a quick pivot when the ranger station shut down Cracker Lake for bear activity. After hustling to the walk-up office we secured a new loop—Many Glacier → Poia Lake (Night 1) → Cosley Lake (Night 2) → Elizabeth Lake Foot (Night 3)—still giving us four crisp fall days of Continental Divide scenery, empty camps, and endless turquoise water. We wrapped the trek with hot showers and pizza at Glacier Alpine Lodge before cruising the Going-to-the-Sun Road east to west, pulling over at every overlook just because we could.

Highlights

  • Crystalline Lakes: Electric-blue Cracker Lake and the Belly River chain steal the show.
  • Golden Larches: Prime mid-September timing lit up the basin with fall color.
  • Wildlife Corridors: Frequent grizzly sign, moose browsing at dawn, and trumpeter swans on Elizabeth Lake.
  • Remote Camps: Backcountry permits put us alone at water’s edge night after night.
  • Star-Filled Nights: Zero light pollution plus cool, clear skies made for Milky Way wake-up calls.

Trip Video

Early morning light over Cracker Lake Trail cutting through golden larch groves Reflection of alpine peaks on turquoise water Ridgeline views toward the Continental Divide Lone hiker framed by jagged cliffs Poia Lake shoreline at sunset
Evening glow over the Belly River Valley Granite walls mirrored in glassy water Camp setup beneath towering peaks Morning alpenglow on Elizabeth Lake Autumn colors lining the trail Looking north toward Ptarmigan Wall
Soft evening light across Elizabeth Lake Switchbacks carved into the alpine tundra Trailside waterfall feeding a lake Backpacker crossing open meadows Jagged skyline above Belly River Clouds drifting over remote basins
Calm shoreline reflections at dawn Moody weather rolling over the Divide Wildlife tracks pressed into fresh mud Belly River corridor framed by subalpine fir Fiery sunset closing out the traverse GoPro capture of ridge walking above timberline

Trip Details

Distance: ~45 miles round trip (73 km)
Elevation Gain: ~7,500 feet (2,280 m)
Duration: 4 days, 3 nights (18h on-trail)
Difficulty: Strenuous (long mileage plus shoulder-season weather)
Best Time: Early-to-mid September for color without full-on winter
Permits: Glacier NP backcountry permits (Belly River itinerary)

Route Map

Download the GPX track

Full daily notes and campsite logistics coming soon.