SAINT MARY & VIRGINIA FALLS

WESTERN MONTANA

Summary

This popular hike within Glacier National Park provides access to both Saint Mary and Virginia Falls. Each waterfall is extraordinary and worth a visit.

Trail Stats

Mileage: 3.74 miles RT

Elevation Gain: 653 feet

Toilet at trailhead: Yes

Sandwich Spots: Yes

Parking: Designated Lot

Mileage/EG from Garmin watch

Trail Details

Glacier National Park is loaded with waterfalls. They’re all over the place. I’m not sure it’s possible to drive through the park without seeing a few. Regardless, we decided to take a short hike to see two more. Two for the price of one, what a deal!

Starting from the St Mary trailhead, you’ll wander down a well traveled dirt path. You’re headed to the far end of Saint Mary Lake. This side has no significant vegetation, presumably due to a past wildfire. Consequently the views are clear all the way to the lake and beyond.

The first waterfall, Saint Mary Falls, is about one mile down the trail. A wooden bridge crosses the St Mary River. It’s generally a peaceful, beautiful spot. Today, the bridge was loaded with thrill seekers hurtling their bodies into the rushing water below. To their credit, they had two “lifeguards” standing by a tad downstream. The river mellows out directly after this plunge. I presume someone checked for snags and rocks below the bridge prior to jumping… Certainly not peaceful with that crowd, though it was certainly entertaining.

Behind the bridge is St Mary’s Falls. Water crashes into turbulent pools below, making one notice just how violent and mesmerizing water can be. Not a good place to swim. Better to stick around the bridge for that.

If you’ve had your fill of waterfalls you may turn around here. If not, carry on. Virginia Falls lays up ahead. The trail leads you uphill and loosely follows Virginia Creek (which dumps into St Mary River).

Along the way there are numerous mini waterfalls leading up to the main act, Virginia Falls. Stop a moment to enjoy these mini falls. The water is ice cold and generally crystal clear.

Virginia Falls impresses with plunging water over a towering cliffside. It’s breathtaking, even for someone who’s relatively impartial to waterfalls. A viewing platform has been constructed. One can also cross towards the waterfall on large slabs of rock. Here the spray will cool you down in a heartbeat, leaving you a tad damp. On a hot day it’s rather pleasant.