Feather Plume Cutoff

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Some of the trail is steep. Caution should be applied especially on this trail with the blind corners combined with moose and bear presence.

For those taking the Piegan Pass Trail from Siyeh Bend to Many Glacier, this cutoff trail connects you with the string of lakes including Grinnell Lake and Lake Josephine. This route is far more interesting than taking the Piegan Pass Trail out to the Many Glacier Hotel.

From Grinnell Lake, this signed trail takes off and steeply ascends through dense trees with limited views. This section is popular with moose and grizzlies and has limited line of sight, so make sure you are making noise. After a brief climb up onto the ridge, the trail goes to a more manageable grade and joins up with the lovely Cataract Creek. The forest opens up to occasional meadows. The steep walls off of Angel Wing and Mt. Gould become more visible.

As you continue along the trail, the trees give way to open alpine. The towering cathedral walls are inspiring. Feather Plume Falls is a tall, lacy waterfall that disappears with the breeze, only to reappear further down the wall. From here, you cross over Cataract Creek over a footbridge with wonderful views and connect with the Piegan Pass Trail.

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.

Wildflowers in this area are great from columbine to spiraea. Huckleberries and thimbleberries are among the variety of berries in the area. Bear and moose in addition to smaller mammals.