Siyeh Pass [Suggest Edits]

Description

If you're looking for spectacular Glacier views without the crowds, a trip to Siyeh Pass won't disappoint. Approached by about 3 miles of moderate trail and a final 2 mile strenuous push, there aren't many visitors that undertake the journey to the pass, making this an excellent place to find solitude. From Going to the Sun Road, visitors will take a combination of the Siyeh Bend Trail, the Piegan Pass Trail, and the Siyeh Pass Trail to reach this incredible spot, and the scenery along the way will be varied and spectacular.

Visitors will pass through dense forests before ascending into the high alpine, and breaking out from under tree cover. At an elevation over 8,000 ft, temperatures can be quite cool, and vegetation will thin into high alpine meadows. If you happen to visit in late summer, you'll be greeted with a green carpet of well-adapted plants making the most of the brief growing season.

The real highlight of Siyeh Pass are the views. There are few viewpoints in the park that are quite so dramatic as the ones afforded here, and it's easy to understand why. Towering over much of the park, the unobstructed views in nearly all directions make this an incredible place to stop to take everything in. If you have especially sharp eyes, keep a look out for the spot where an old railroad bell once stood. Four such bells used to stand at several passes in the park, though the bells were donated in a metal drive during WWII. However, the base that the bell was mounted to is still visible today, and you can give an imaginary ring upon reaching the summit of the pass.

Once you've taken in the supreme beauty of the spot, head back to Going to the Sun Road via the same route that you followed up.

All-Day Hike: This gem can only be accessed via a strenuous hike from the Going to the Sun Road.

Gem Type: Viewpoint