April 20, 2008 The National Park Service is presently updating and generally messing around with the Glacier National Park web site.

Many of the links are changing and while they are working, many of the links do not work properly.

So, many of the links in this page do not work. We are waiting for the NPS to finalize their work before trying to update links.

Until then, try starting here at the webcam page which has been one of the more reliable recently GNP webcam page and try to navigate from there.

Or, try this non-government information site: Glacier National Park Information

Reynolds Mountain from the north.
Photo by gnpfreak

From the northeast.

Overview

From the east.

From the west.

Reynolds Mountain is a true horn located about 1.5 miles south of the Logan Pass Visitor Center in Glacier National Park. The short approach and relatively small elevation gain of about 2,500 feet make this an easy day climb by any of the four established routes. These factors also make Reynolds Mountain an excellent choice for climbers new to Glacier to become familiar with the somewhat unique rock and the grading system used in the local guidebook.

Reynolds Mountain was named for a member of the "Forest and Stream" staff by George Bird Grinnell who was one of the pioneers influential in the establishment of Glacier National Park.

Views East & North from Reynolds Mountain

View to the East.

View north across Logan Pass.

View north to Clements.

Getting There

Setting from the NE.

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 Reynolds Mountain. 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.

Detailed information about the road, including spring opening information: GTS Road Information

A map of the Logan Pass area: Logan Pass Area Map

Views Westerly from Reynolds Mountain

NW to Mount Cannon,Bearhat & Hidden Lake

West across Hidden Lake

Southwest

Red Tape

From the NW

National Park Entrance Fees apply in Glacier National Park: Current Park Entrance Fees

A complete set of Rules and Regulations governing Glacier National Park can be accessed on the What's New Page. It is a lengthy PDF file.

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

See Routes Overview regarding area closures in the Logan Pass area.

Routes Overview

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

The climbing guide to Glacier National Park (see BOOKS) describes four routes on Reynolds Mountain. See the discussion under Miscellaneous Info for a brief description of the grading system.

The climbing guide describes the approach to Reynolds Mountain as all cross country, going directly across the meadows to the mountain. After most of the snow is melted, the NPS closes the meadows and other areas near the pass to protect fragile vegetation. The Glacier Mountaineering Society (web site: GMS) along with the NPS established several acceptable approaches to the peaks accessed from Logan Pass. The information desk in the visitor center has a map showing these approaches.

The approach to the routes on Reynolds Mountain is to follow the Hidden Lake trail to near its high point, then go along the base of the cliffs to the mountain. This route is very obvious when viewed from the visitor center.

West / SW side from Bearhat

On the SW side of the peak.

1) Southwestern Talus Slope Route, Glacier Park Class 2 & 3, GMS II(3)MS

This is the easiest way to the summit, ascending the talus slopes and very short cliff bands on the SW side of the peak. There is very little exposure and much of the route is on primitive trail.

Crossing the North Face.

2) North Face & East Couloir Route, Glacier Park class 4, GMS III(4)SS

This route traverses the north face of the mountain on the diagonal ledge that is very obvious from Logan Pass. Once across the north face, the route traverses on a wide ledge to the base of the east couloir. Climbing in the east couloir is quite exposed. More detail and climbing photos on the route page.

3) North Face Direct The north face has been climbed directly several times. The first recorded ascent was during the summer of 1971 by Roy Harrison and Carl Sanders. The route was repeated by Jim Kanzler (solo) in 1976 and at a later date by Terry Kennedy.

East Face Traverse

4) Grand Tour Route, GMS III (3) SS

A combination of the North Face & East Couloir Route and the Southwestern Talus Slope Route that avoids climbing the east couloir. Instead of ascending the couloir, the route proceeds across the east face and all the way around the mountain to join the Talus Slope Route.

5) Southwest Ridge Route, Glacier Park class 4 with one possibly class 5 pitch, GMS III (4+) SS

The route is mostly class 3 and 4. The crux is described as a slightly overhanging narrow crack or chimney.

When to Climb

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

Mountain Conditions

Snow on North Face Traverse

The NPS What's New web page has several live cams and links to updates on local conditions, including a weather report link:

Glacier Park What's New Page

Camping

There is no camping at Logan Pass.

There are numerous campgrounds available within Glacier National Park:

GNP Campground Status and Information

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.

Accomodations and Campgrounds on the Blackfeet Reservation

External Links

Logan Pass Photo Gallery
National Park Service page showing pictures from the Logan Pass area.
Glacier Mountaineering Society

Images



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