Sinopah Mountain is the crown jewel of the Two Medicine area, not because it is the highest (that, at 9513', would be Rising Wolf Mountain), biggest, or most dramatic (although drama is certainly present!), but because of its striking appearance as it rises from the far—southwestern-pointing—tip of Two Medicine Lake. Sinopah proves to be an irresistible visual magnet, its lake-facing profile an unbroken wall of cliffs sweeping precipitously upward in classic Glacier Park style. Very easy to look at. Very photogenic. And a fun mountain to climb.

Sinopah Mountain, fronting Mount Rockwell

The Blackfeet Indians considered the Two Medicine area "The Backbone of the World," and in addition to the normal usage for sustenance, used this portion of what would eventually become Glacier National Park for vision quests. The story of how the area came about its name is taken from the writings of James Willard Schultz, who was adopted into the Blackfeet tribe and had an Indian wife: The Blackfeet Confederacy was divided into three tribes: the Pikuni, the Bloods, and the Blackfeet. In the spring each tribe held an Okan'—a religious ceremony—and it just so happened that one year two of the tribes, the Pikunis and Bloods, happened to hold theirs at the same time and in the same place. After that the river was called Two Medicine Lodges, or Two Visions Lodges River—later shortened to Two Medicine. The combination of forested lakes, seemingly endless combinations of cliffs, walls, spires, and towering peaks, make it easy to see in this place a special significance! The name "Sinopah" is a derivative of two Blackfeet words. Sinopa is the word for the kit (prairie) fox, and Sinopaki means "Fox Woman." Sinopah was the Indian wife of Hugh Monroe (Rising Wolf), and daughter of Lone Walker, a powerful Blackfeet chief. All three of the mountains bearing the names of these individuals are in the Two Medicine area.

The Blackfeet Indian Reservation is immediately east of Glacier National Park. Their official website is a great source of information on trip planning and the cultural history of the region.

The amazing Sinopah and Rockwell....

While far from unknown, and certainly not void of people, this place is more subdued than the Lake McDonald or Logan Pass areas, Saint Marys, or Many Glacier; it's just that it lies a bit outside the main traffic flow, yet there are good trails throughout (you can even take a ferry from one end of the lake to the other, which, depending on your destination and route, will shorten the distance spent walking from one to three miles each way—the ferry is $5 one way, $10 round trip), giving many choices for doing as much or little legwork as desired, from easy day hikes to major multi-day treks into other sections of the park. Or you can simply stay in the Two Medicine area and climb mountains.

Sinopah Mountain's View of the Neighborhood

(And here's a link to the new GNP Web Cam page, which includes a nice perspective of...

...the Neighborhood's View of Sinopah Mountain).

Getting There

From the north, take Hwy 89 south from Saint Mary, turning on Hwy 49—a paved road, but very winding and slow going; relax, enjoy the wonderful views!—for approximately eight miles until the Two Medicine turnoff, then it is seven easy miles to the campground, ranger station, store, boat dock, and ample parking. From the south, take Hwy 2 to East Glacier, and in town turn on Hwy 49, head north out of town four miles, to the Two Medicine road.

Standard Precautionary Note: All GNP roads are closed in winter, with Going-to-the-Sun Road (the major route through the park; its eastern terminus is at Saint Mary) sometimes not opening until July (average opening is second week in June; earliest opening ever is May 16, 1987, second earliest is May 22, 2005). Don't head out early in the year (i.e., June/early July) without checking the status of these roads—it is not unusual to have repeated, sometimes lengthy, road closures due to storms, avalanches, rock slides, or all three! The same holds true for late in the year; weather changes dramatically, beginning usually around the end of August, with road closures normally becoming more and more frequent through the month of September (although don't shy away from going, there can also be very nice—albeit cool or cold—days of Indian Summer throughout this time frame; plus the park is relatively free of people after Labor Day). The following links are pretty much self-explanatory, and provide all sorts of useful and interesting information:

Current GNP Road Status

Map of Waterton/Glacier International Peace Park
(Note that clicking on the image after it loads brings up a larger version, making it MUCH easier to read.)

And finally, click here for current information, as well as easy access to some
interesting photos showing the Plowing of Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Route

The trailhead is located at the southwest end of the parking area, just beyond the fee booth for the boat rides. Follow this well maintained trail, gaining only about 70 feet for the first couple of miles. The trail actually winds away from Mount Sinopah to avoid some marshy areas, but have faith, as the trail will soon make a beeline southwest.

Stay to the left at a junction, soon crossing a suspension bridge. On the other side of the bridge, stay left at a second junction and proceed about another mile to Rockwell Falls. The trail crosses this stream and heads on up the drainage. Do not cross the stream, but look instead for a faint use trail going up along the right side of the stream and falls.

Pay attention as the trail departs the stream because it is easy to lose amongst the brief brush through which you must maneuver. The sometimes scant trail then breaks out into a clearing and winds its way up through some loose scree. At this point the trail is easy to follow. Climbing out of the scree onto more steady tundra terrain, the great south cliffs of Mount Sinopah will rise above you.

Climb straight up the slope, aiming for a wide couloir on the far right. Occasional red bench rocks along a minor trickling stream will be encountered and are easily climbed or bypassed. Approaching the wide couloir, the terrain may appear daunting and impassible, but forge onward because the fun is only beginning.

Ascend the couloir over Class 3 rock, staying left of center. Cairns may be encountered and they will generally lead you up the best route, but variations are many. Loose rubble and talus litter the shelves you scale through this section, so climb with care. Several steep pitches up rock walls must be executed, but careful route finding will keep the difficulty at Class 3. There are a couple spots that may involve some mild exposure and smaller holds and ledges. Proceed patiently and you�ll soon be above the climbing. Loose scree slopes must be ascended to gain the summit ridge. Climb straight up from your position. You will likely assume the ridge just west of the summit. Follow the ridge to the top.

Return the same route, exercising more caution during your descent not to dislodge rocks.

DISTANCE: 9 miles round trip
GAIN: 2,700 feet

SINOPAH BOAT RIDE ($5 one way - $10 round trip)

Hikers have the option to take a boat ride, saving their feet some mileage in the process. However, the sailing times of the boat may not be conducive to a desired early start. Check at the dock, located at the trailhead, for the schedule, or consult the park's website.

It makes sense to consider a boat ride on your return, if you can manage to adjust to the boat's schedule. If so, once back at the second junction, you have the option of hiking a mile to the boat dock at the west end of Two Medicine Lake and catch the boat back to the trailhead, or turning right and following your route back the way you came.

ESSENTIAL GEAR

During the summer and fall, standard day hike provisions will do, but be sure to have layered clothing and expect all types of weather and temperatures in Glacier at any time of the year. Don't forget your camera!

Assuming access is possible, a late spring ascent would involve steep snow and ice, requiring the appropriate gear. Ice axe, crampons and rope, rack and screws are likely required to execute this route safely in such conditions.

The park roads are not maintained in the winter and easy access is unlikely. The route ascends dangerous terrain prone to avalanche activity anyway, so a winter ascent is not recommended.

(This excellent Route description was written by Aaron Johnson. After Aaron, Ellen, Fred, Moni, and I climbed Sinopah, Aaron was invited to be the page maintainer, which option he declined because of his thoughts that in this case the mountain would be better served by someone living in the area. The same held true for the Route page; Aaron wrote the description you've just read, then made the decision to turn it over to a "local" (me). However, his description is so good I've left it exactly as written!

The reasoning behind incorporating the route into the main page is that there is basically only one way up Sinopah (a technical ascent would probably be possible, but given Glacier's rotten, sedimentary rock, most assuredly would not be recommended except to the foolhardy!), and combining the Route and Main pages provides a more logical and intuitive access to information. At any rate, Aaron, you wrote an exceptional route description. Many thanks!)

The Red Tape, Wildlife, & Cautions Section

No permits required, but you must pay a park entry fee, which is $25 for one week, or $35 for an annual pass. Registration for day climbs in Glacier National Park is recommended, but not mandatory. Probably anyone prone to climbing in this part of the country already knows this, but the Northern Rockies are full of wildlife. Always be aware, and don't do anything stupid, like—for example—feed the bears, think that a mountain lion is even remotely related to your pet cat, or run up to a moose (moose are quite unpredictable, irritable, and very dangerous). And never, ever, EVER forget you're in grizzly country; they insist on being left alone—disagreement on that point is not an argument you'll win! Bear spray and noise should be part of every GNP foray you make into the back country. Black bears will be found in the forests, grizzlies commonly venture onto the above-timberline tundra, sometimes, when in pursuit of such delicacies as ladybugs or cutworm moth larva, even to the peaks! Also note that improperly stored food in park campgrounds (i.e., scraps left around the table or campfire, or edibles in your tent rather than your car) will subject you to a $50 fine. If you wander off, leaving your pack unattended, and there is food in it which attracts the attention of, for example, a bear, it is also a fine. Folks, the Park Service is serious about not providing human food access to the critters!

When To Climb, & Climbing Considerations

From late June/early July (during this time frame expect LOTS of snow in the high elevations) to early fall, depending on snow conditions. Traditional climbing season in the Northern Rockies is July, August, and September—with September weather becoming progressively colder and more unstable (sometimes dramatically so: PAY ATTENTION!) as the month progresses—but does of course vary from year to year. There are occasional winter climbs in the park, but not often, and then only by well-equipped, area-wise, extremely competent individuals. Basically, most of GNP is inaccessable through the winter, and avalanche danger, to put it mildly, is extreme almost everywhere.

CLIMBING 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 by both J. Gordon Edwards and the Glacier Mountaineering Society. Anyone doing more than just "trail" hiking in this part of the Rockies should read the excellent and important information put together by Fred and Moni Spicker. Much—if not most—of the rock in GNP is sedimentary and rotten, and you need to know about it: Glacier National Park Rock & Grading Systems.

Camping

The Two Medicine Campground ($20 per day—no reservations, first come first served basis) is close to the area trailheads, as well as the ferry. There are numerous campgrounds available within Glacier National Park, of which only Fish Creek and Saint Mary take reservations (not required, but probably a good idea during the peak summer tourist period). There are also many campgrounds, as well as motels, just outside the park on both the west and east sides.

Click here for General Camping Information, and click here for Current Site Availability in specific campgrounds.

In addition, there is a great deal available in the way of accomodations and camping on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

The community of East Glacier Park is within easy driving of Two Medicine Lake (approximately 15 minutes), and has several restaurants and motels, as well as an RV park which also caters to tenters. And if your credit card is gathering dust, East Glacier Park is also home to the (really nice) Glacier Park Lodge.

Also, and for those so inclined...GNP does have Backcountry Campsites throughout the park, including the Two Medicine area. Some of these sites can be reserved; others are on a first come basis. Anyone doing extensive, several day, remote hiking/climbing would be well advised to check this out.

Mountain Conditions

National Park Service What's New page with weather report link and web cams.

External Links

Glacier Mountaineering Society

Images



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