Pitamakin Dawson Loop: FAVORITE GNP Trail

September 13, 2025

Officially the best hike we’ve ever done. And considering we’ve voluntarily walked uphill for fun quite a few times now, that’s saying something. This trail has a little bit of everything: dramatic mountain views, turquoise alpine lakes, wildlife encounters, questionable emotional decisions, and even a scenic boat ride at the end when your legs have completely stopped cooperating with you.

We tackled Pitamakin Dawson Loop trail, located in the Two Medicine entrance of Glacier National Park, and decided to do the loop counter clockwise. After an unhealthy amount of trail research and reading reviews, we decided this route looked the best for us- mostly because we could shave off two miles by taking the Two Medicine boat back at the end. Efficiency. Innovation. Survival instinct.

The hike begins through a forest that leads you to huckleberry bushes, beautiful flowers, and ptarmigans (or grouse... still trying to decipher the difference).

Then came the bear.

One minute I’m happily chatting away, making noise like every hiking safety article tells you to do. The next, I feel my husband’s arm shove me backward and immediately know: this is not a drill. Out comes the bear spray and the 9mm (in case of an absolute emergency, don't send me angry messages). Before we could even fully identify whether it was a grizzly or a cinnamon black bear, the giant brown fluff launched itself up the mountain and disappeared.

For the next several miles, you stare directly at the pass you’re about to climb, which feels both inspiring and deeply rude. The elevation gain looked intimidating, and honestly? It earned that reputation. It was so worth the climb. The first climb up over Old Man Lake reminded us why this was considered a "strenuous" trail on all trails. The switchbacks were many but our snacks got us through. Upon reaching the top of the pass, the view was unbelievable. As we looked over Pitamakin Lake for the first time, a bald eagle flew directly overhead like it had been hired by the National Park Service for dramatic effect. It was the most patriotic moment of my life to date.

Then the trek to the next pass began. There's a steady, but not too terrible, incline to reach Dawson Pass. When you reach Dawson Pass, you then have the privilege of seeing another beautiful mountain range. We chose this super windy spot to grab a quick bite and then press on to one of the most interesting parts of the trail.

Once you cross over the pass, it suddenly feels like you’re mountaineering… but without the ropes, ice axes, or emotional breakdowns. The trail hugs the mountainside, and while the path itself is wide enough, the drop-offs definitely add a little spice. If heights make you nervous, this is probably where your soul briefly leaves your body. This part of the hike seemed to last the longest as we were in the sun most of the time, starting to feel the distance, and ready to start heading downhill... so we thought. Right before you start go turn the corner to head downhill you get a beautiful view of Young Man Lake and Boy Lake.

The descent down was a bit brutal... our knees just aren't what they used to be. This is where trekking poles become ESSENTIAL. As you descend down you eventually get back down into the valley with some tree cover. We skipped the side trail to No Name Lake because we were determined not to miss the last ferry and absolutely refused to add two more miles to this already heroic undertaking. Instead, we sang dramatically through the pain, and got to the boat dock in plenty of time to catch the boat back. While we waited we enjoyed dipping our toes in the water and chatting with fellow hikers about their travels. MAKE SURE YOU BUY A TICKET IN ADVANCE for the boat. You can do this through Recreation.gov.

This was hands-down our favorite hike in the park. The Highline Trail may be the celebrity of Glacier, but this one? This is Glacier’s underrated indie film masterpiece.