McDonald Creek Cutoff

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · River/Creek · Spring

Great trail run, but yield for horses.

This trail breaks off from the Avalanche Trail and continues the theme of old growth trees and a pleasant forest run. It gently works its way down to the Going-to-the-Sun Road where it crosses under in a beautiful underpass with great rock work. On the other side, the trail parallels the bubbling creek where it crosses the creek on a fantastic bridge and meets up with the Upper McDonald Creek Trail. This bridge has great views of Sacred Dancing Cascade.

This trail is used by the horse concessionaire, so can get a little smelly in summer. Be aware of them and yield to horses as they pass.

This content was created by Jake Bramante of Hike 734. Visit hike734.com for more expert Glacier content and maps that help you decide which trail to run.

Older stands of trees feature cedar and hemlock with some younger stands that have more birds. Harlequin ducks, mergansers, and goldeneyes as well as American Dippers are frequently found in the creek.