This unique view of Mount Henry from Sinopah includes: Appistoki, on left covered with a trace of snow, notice the ramp as described in route description on the north side, to the right is Appistoki Saddle which leads up the ridge to the unnamed peak. Mount Henry is the highest point in the photo. Behind and to the left of Mount Henry is Medicine which stands at 8,446 feet. The ridge to the right of the unnamed peak leads to Mt. Ellsworth which is on the far right in this photo. The peak in the foreground is Never Laughs Mountain. Photo taken on August 13, 2005.

Mount Henry viewed from the west

To visit Glacier National Park is to enter a place where Heaven touches Earth affording brief glimpses into the Wonders of Creation.

Overview

An enjoyable day with incredible views into the Nyack and Two Medicine Valleys and a ridge walk to summit three of Glacier's named peaks.

Mount Henry is part of The Scenic Point Ridge Walk and according to J. Gordon Edwards is �a route that covers 13 miles of exhilarating open country.� This route crosses three named Glacier Park Peaks which include Mt. Henry and Mount Appistoki as well as Medicine Mountain.

At an elevation of 8,799 feet Mount Henry is not one of Glacier's more well known peaks but climbing Mount Henry produces rewards such as a unique views and a fantastic ridgewalk through meadows of flowers.

Appistoki Peak is 8,143 feet high and was named by R. T. Evans, a topographer who worked on the early map of the park. It is reported that he inquired from his Indian guide what word the Blackfeet used for "looking over something," and the guide, misunderstanding the meaning of his question, gave him the name "Appistoki," for the Indian god who looks over everything and everyone. Views from Appistoki Peak are similar but also offer a unique perspective on Grizzly Mountain from this grinnell argillite covered peak.

Appistoki Peak is covered in snow in the August 13, 2005 photo. It was taken from the Glacier Park Boat Co. vessel on Two Medicine Lake. On the right is Never Laughs Mountain.

View from Mt. Henry into the Nyack area, St. Nicholas is seen in the center of this photo

Getting There

Appistoki Peak from the north shore of Two Medicine Lake.

Views along the route to Mount Henry

Glacier National Park, the crown of the continent, is located in northwestern Montana and shares a border with Waterton International Peace Park in Canada. The Scenic Point Ridge Walk is located in the Two Medicine Valley in the southeastern corner on Glacier National Park.

Driving Instructions From East Glacier, Montana: After reaching East Glacier, Montana on Highway 2 and travel 4 miles North on State Highway 49 to the Two Medicine turnoff. The Scenic Point Trailhead is approximately 8.5 miles from the Highway 49 Junction. The trail to Scenic Point is clearly marked on Glacier Road Map.

Driving Instructions From St. Mary's, Montana: Travel south on Highway 89 to Kiowa Junction, turn right on to Highway 49 and continue 9 miles to the Two Medicine turnoff. The Scenic Point Trailhead is approximately 8.5 miles from the Highway 49 Junction. The trail to Scenic Point is clearly marked on Glacier Road Map.

Go to road information for road conditions, road repairs and delay schedules as well as estimated opening information.

Red tape

Consolida found in the Two Medicine Valley

Flowers along the route.

A waterfall on Appistoki Creek below Henry's north face

For current National Park Entrance Fees: Current Park Information

For all the Rules and Regulations governing Glacier National Park look at the Rules and Regulations.

It is not necessary to register for day climbs in Glacier National Park but it is recommended. Backcountry travel regulations can be found at Backcountry Travel. There is also information from the Park Service on Mountain Climbing in Glacier.

As with all hiking and climbing in Glacier National Park use caution and practice good manners with the wildlife. You are in bear country. Carry your bear deterrent spray, don�t hike alone and make some noise. For more information please go to the Park's website for Bear Information. The U.S. Forest Service also has helpful information on Grizzly Bear Management.

Overview and Route Information

View of ridge walk from Medicine Peak

Mount Henry and Appistoki Peak are featured in Edwards� �Routes Among The Peaks� on pages 315-316 in A CLIMBER'S GUIDE TO GLACIER NATIONAL PARK. Edwards states in his guidebook that the trip should take about 10 hours. It also crosses unnamed peaks and allows access for other peaks in the area such as accessing Mt. Ellsworth on an extended ridge walk. Mount Henry sits at the head of Appistoki Creek and has an imposing face that rises over 1,700 feet above the valley floor. Total elevation gained from the trailhead is 3,867 feet to the summit of Mt. Henry. To reach the summit of Appistoki Peak it is necessary descend 1,000 feet in elevation before gaining 500 feet again.

Special Considerations: The rock in Glacier Park is widely varied and it is not unusual to find several different types of rock on any given route. Know your rocks and be certain of your safety. J. Gordon Edwards has an excellent section in his guidebook on rock and climbing safety. Be safe and know your limitations as well as those who are climbing with you. Also refer to the following links for further details: GNP Rock and Grading System and the GMS Climbing Guidelines.

Final pitch to Henry's summit

Click on the Linked Text to View More Photos of the Route

Route Description: From the trailhead enjoy a walk through trees while listening to Appistoki Falls. A short side trip on your return rewards you with a beautiful view of Appistoki Falls. After breaking out of the trees and enjoying Appistoki Creek far below the trail reaches a switchback that yields views of part of Henry�s north face. This is the point that must be reached after descending from Appistoki. Continue on the trail through a series of switchbacks to highest point before reaching Scenic Point. From this location walk along the ridge top to the south to the top of Medicine Peak and continue up the splendid ridgeline until an ar�te blocks easy access to the summit of Mt. Henry.

At this blockage there are two options to reach a shelf that transitions to an easy class 3 scramble to the actual summit. Option 1) Confident climbers can climb along the ridge. Option 2) Drop down to the left (southwest) and look for a gully that is easily walked up through loose scree. It is necessary to walk approximately 100 feet from the actual summit block. As always be cautious not to loosen rocks if there are others climbing below.

There are a number of options to reach the actual summit from the shelf. None of them have to be more difficult than class 3. At the summit enjoy views into the Nyack area and up to Flinsch and Rising Wolf. A register could not be located in the summit cairn.

Looking back at descent from unnamed peak to Appistoki saddle

To summit Appistoki continue the route down the west side of Henry on the brilliant red rock that affords good footing. Climbers will stroll along the ridgeline to the unnamed peak that is shaped like a triangle. Summit it if desired or walk around the southwest side to the ridgeline that drops to the Appistoki saddle. An easily followed goat trail makes short work of this incredible descent.

Climbing Appistoki Peak

Climbing Appistoki is an easy task as the ridge ascends 500 feet to the summit which sit at 8,143 feet above sea level. Take time and enjoy the views of Two Medicine and the bowl below Mt. Henry�s north face.

Descend from Appistoki by choosing one of two options as outlined. Each route will return to the switchback. Option 1) Descend the east cliffs of Appistoki to the streambed and follow its course along class 3 and 4 cliffs that are easily navigable to the switchback which is at 6,000 feet. Option 2) Descend 500 feet on the north side of Appistoki to a ramp that slopes east until at the 6,000 feet contour and return to the trail near the switchback. Return to the trailhead via Scenic Point Trail.

Ridge to Mount Henry from Appistoki saddle

Views of Flinsch and Rising Wolf from Appistoki Peak

When To Climb and Weather

It is possible to complete the Scenic Point Ridge Walk during most months of the year. It would be necessary to ski or snowshoe to this route after the roads close. Roads in the Two Medicine area typically open in the late spring. Click here for Glacier Park Road Status. Alpinists will experience a higher degree of challenge earlier and later in the season. Glacier Park roads close at a moments notice due to poor road conditions and snowfall.

The eastside of Glacier Park is notorious for strong winds up to 100 miles per hour being clocked. Winds in East Glacier, Montana just off the continental divide have been strong enough to knock railroad cars off of bridges. Most days in the summer and fall are not that extreme. Check out Glacier Park's what's new page with weather, road conditions and the usual happenings at Glacier National Park.

Essential Gear and Camping

A view of additional routes if so desired.

This is a dry route until descending off of Appistoki so take water for the trip. Hiking poles will aide in your ascent and descent while working through Glacier�s wonderful scree! If an early season climb is made an ice axe and crampons may be needed to cross snowfields.

There is a park campground at Two Medicine

Other options for camping include: GNP Campground Information, USFS Campgrounds, Camping on the Blackfeet Reservation or East Glacier Campgrounds

Links

Glacier National Park in Pictures
Glacier Mountaineering Society
Two Medicine Trails
Visit Montana

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