Mount Brown (MT)

Mount Brown from the southeast.
The Southwest Ridge Route follows the left skyline

Peak ID from Lake McDonald

Overview

From the northwest.

Mount Brown is located just northeast of the northern end of Lake McDonald on the west side of Glacier National Park. It is one of the first larger peaks seen by visitors entering the Park from West Glacier.

The summit of Mount Brown offers excellent views of much of the Park. In fact a fire lookout was constructed low on its southwest ridge in 1929 because of its vantage point.

The mountain is named for William Brown, the Solicitor General for the Chicago and Alton Railroad. Several members of his party on a camping and fishing trip to the area around Lake McDonald climbed the mountain in 1894 and named it after their ascent. This was probably the first ascent of the peak. 

From the northeast

Mount Brown is normally climbed in a long day from Lake McDonald.

On a good day, Mount Brown can be seen near the center of the Lake McDonald Web Cam. For peak names, see This Photo

Views from Mount Brown

Edwards Mountain to the south.

Heavens Peak to the north.

McDonald Lake to the west.

Getting There

Glacier National Park is located in northwestern Montana. Going-to-the-Sun Road is the main scenic route through the Park and the way to Logan Pass and Heavens Peak. It is not kept open during the winter. Closing in the fall and opening in the spring depends on snow depth and conditions. Opening can be as late as July.

Current Road Status

Mount Brown is approached via the Mount Brown Lookout Trail, which starts near the Lake McDonald Lodge.

Lake McDonald Area

Route(s)

GUIDEBOOK: A CLIMBER'S GUIDE TO GLACIER NATIONAL PARK; J. Gordon Edwards

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Because of the nature of the rock, there are special considerations regarding climbing in Glacier National Park, and grading systems unique to the Park have been developed. Please see this Fact Sheet for further details:

GNP Rock & Grading Systems
 

Southwest Ridge
from lookout.

The most logical and only well established route on the mountain is the Southwest Ridge The ridge is accessed via the Mount Brown Lookout Trail which climbs about 4325 feet in 5.4 miles from near the Lake McDonald Lodge. From the lookout, it is another mile and 1,500 vertical feet to the summit. Most of the ridge is class 2 and 3 except for a class 4 section that must be climbed to gain the ridge above the lookout. It is possible to bypass this section by making a long traverse along the west side and then ascending class 3 ledges up to the ridge. The Glacier Mountaineering Society rates the climb: III(4)ML

Edwards suggests that one could climb the mountain directly from the highway via the largest gully on the west face - as practice for "more serious climbs in the future". This would probably be a class 3 and 4 route with much bushwhacking at the bottom.

Climbing on the ridge:

Class 3 section.

Class 4 section.

Historic Lookout

Mount Brown Lookout
with its winter guardian.

The Mount Brown Lookout is on the National Historic Lookout Register. It was constructed in 1929 and last manned on a full time basis in 1971. It was rehabilitated in 1999.

Red Tape

Current Entrance Fees

Registration for day climbs in Glacier National Park is recommended, but not mandatory.

When To Climb

From Reynolds Mountain.

June, July, August, September, and even into October depending on the amount of snow and the road closures.

Camping

There are numerous campgrounds available within Glacier National Park:

Backcountry Camping Page Includes trail status reports, campground availability, daily backcountry bulletins, and a backcountry blog.

Car Camping Page

There are also many campgrounds just outside the Park on both the west and east sides.

Camping on the Blackfeet Reservation is restricted to established campgrounds only.

Mountain Conditions

Weather Page an overview with a link to the local forecast.

Webcam Page

External Links

Glacier National Park Homepage