The Sperry Chalet Hike: Everything You Need to Know
The Sperry Chalet hike is one of my favorite hikes in Glacier National Park, and I’ve done about 50% of the day hikes in Glacier! This article will cover everything you need to know about the hike to the Sperry Chalet – including the total distance and elevation, what it felt like to hike, what to pack, and more frequently asked questions.
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How Long is the Hike to the Sperry Chalet?
Total Distance: 12.4 miles (round trip)
Total Elevation: 3500 ft
Difficulty: Hard
How hard is the hike to the Sperry Chalet? I suppose that depends on how experienced of a hiker you are. I do a LOT of hiking with my kids, but they are short hikes. I’m absolutely not climbing 14ers every weekend and I didn’t think it was too bad.
I did this hike with my mom (who was 57 at the time) and sister and it was easier than expected for all of us. That being said, we did have excellent weather, and we started hiking before the sun even came up so we didn’t have to hike in the heat. Our excitement carried us through and gave us all the energy we needed.
You can do it! I would recommend getting a few hikes under your belt before taking on this challenge. But it’s absolutely doable. I saw several people who were older on this hike and they were thriving.
How Long Does it Take to Hike to the Sperry Chalet?
Depending on your experience level and what time of day you start, it’ll probably take you between 3-4 hours to get to the chalet and another 2-3 hours getting down.
The Sperry Chalet Trailhead
The trailhead to the Sperry Chalet is located across the road from the Lake McDonald Lodge. There is a lot of parking available at the lodge if you show up early. You may have issues finding parking if you wait until later in the day because the Lake McDonald Lodge can get packed. There are also pit toilets right across the road from the trailhead as well. Cross the road, safely, and you’ll be on your way!
Can you Hike to the Sperry Chalet as a Day Hike?
Yes, 100% this hike can be done as a day hike. The other option is to stay overnight in the Sperry Chalet (you need to book reservations like WAY ahead of time) or camp in one of the backcountry sites at the Sperry Chalet. It’s a long day hike, but absolutely doable, especially if you get an early start.
What is it Like to Stay at the Sperry Chalet?
Staying at the Sperry Chalet is nothing less than magical! With the incredible mountain views, dark night sky, delicious food, and friendly staff/guests – it’s something you’ll remember for the rest of your life. In order to stay here you have to make a reservation and it’s tough to get in. If you don’t get in the first time, check for cancellations or keep trying – it’s worth the extra effort.
Here is our Full Guide to the Sperry Chalet – you will definitely want to check out this post if you’re staying overnight!
What to Pack for a Day Hike to the Sperry Chalet?
The hike to the Sperry Chalet is going to take you just about all day, especially if you allow time to hang out at the top (which you should). So you’ll need to bring lunch, OR you can bring cash and buy lunch at the Sperry Chalet. They have a chef there, and you absolutely should try lunch. It’s really affordable and delicious.
How many times do you get to hike to one of the most beautiful places on earth AND get a grilled cheese at the top?? They have a menu that changes daily but generally they have sandwich options, soup, lemonade and some cookies.
Other things you’ll want to bring on your day hike include snacks for the way up, bear spray, extra water (especially on a hot day), binoculars if you want, an exra pair of socks – you might want to soak your feet in the creek, and a pair of sandals if you want to give your feet a break from the hiking boots while at the top.
Tip: Make sure you bring cash! And if you’re looking for a more comprehensive packing list for staying at the Sperry Chalet – make sure to check out this full Sperry Chalet packing list.
Other Day Hikes From the Sperry Chalet
If you’re really ambitious, you might want to explore further from the Sperry Chalet. Since we stayed the night there, we were able to do a few other hikes from the chalet without making our total mileage insane. Below are two other hikes from the Sperry Chalet that you can do!
Lincoln Peak
The hike to Lincoln Peak was just over 2 miles round trip from the Sperry Chalet with about 800 feet of elevation gain. There is a bit of scrambling here, but it didn’t feel too sketchy to us because we had really great weather. I would recommend speaking to the Chalet staff if you need directions.
From the top, there are 360 degree mountain views and you’ll be able to see Lake Ellen Wilson and a waterfall that connects to another lake below!
Comeau Pass/Sperry Glacier
Comeau Pass is the best hike I’ve ever done. I have always had love for Glacier National Park, but my love for the park doubled after this hike. From the Sperry Chalet, the hike will be about 3.5 miles one way, with another 0.75 miles if you want to hike to the Sperry Glacier. It also gains about 2000 feet of elevation so it’s not easy. However, the views are incredible for the entire hike. When you get to the end of what feels like endless switchbacks, there will be a small opening in the rock wall that has a staircase with a chain to hold on to. Don’t turn around early because the best views are on the other side! There’s also a good chance you’ll see some mountain goats.
Other Sperry Chalet Tips & Frequently Asked Questions:
What Animals Can I see on the Sperry Chalet Hike?
There’s a very high likelihood that you will see mountain goats at the Sperry Chalet. We saw a ton of goats and even some babies. It’s not as common to see bears, but they do occasionally show up near the chalet or on the Sperry Chalet hike – bring bear spray! Another animal that frequents this trail is marmots.
Huckleberries
Huckleberries are plentiful along the trail to the Sperry Chalet and around the chalet. If you want to pick them and don’t know how to identify them, check out this article before you hike!
Snow
The Sperry Chalet is only open for a short window during the summer from July through September (not necessarily the full month of each). During the early and late seasons here, there is a chance you could encounter snow on the trail. If you are visiting during those times, you’ll want to prepare accordingly.
We hope you enjoy one of our favorite hikes in Glacier National Park – please let us know if you have any questions in the comments!
Looking for other Glacier National Park guidance? Check out some of our posts below to help you plan your vacation.
I grew up visiting Glacier National Park every summer and continue to visit every year. It’s my favorite national park and I just keep discovering incredible places all over the park.
