Highline Trail

While this one is not technically on the East side, it is technically half way between East and West depending on where you stay and how you get into Logan Pass to begin the hike. You can go in to the lookout and go back. Or you can drop off and have two car points and start at either the Loop or Logan's Pass, and go through to the opposite side. This is probably one of the most beautiful and well known hikes in glacier. You will not find parking if you don't go in to the park before 5/6 am. Expect it to be heavily trafficked the entire route. Start early. Prepare for all the layers. It is COLD in the morning. Bring trekking poles. The inversion cloud in the canyon on the way up was one of the most glorious views I have seen in my life. We hiked from Logans Pass, the garden wall and then up to the look out and back out(extremely steep) We had trekking poles and were fairly in-shape (group of 8) but we we all hurting to pay for those breath taking views. Don't hike alone! Just last year a female hiker fell off the top of the lookout alone and was not found till days later. It is steep and windy. We came back down from the look out, stumbled across the Granite Park Chalet(Very historical, which we had no idea at the time). I later was told to read "A Night of the Grizzlies" by Jack Olsen. Highly recommend. The book tells a chilling tale of multiple grizzly attacks on humans in the park. It was the first known grizzly attack on humans within park boundaries and it happened in two different locations (unrelated but both caused by humans and their poor interactions with wildlife) in the same evening. One of which was at the Granite Park Chalet. Maybe wait to read the book till after you experience the hike... Haha Anyways, we finished by coming out at the Loop trailhead. The last portion of the trail was heavily wooded area with overgrown berry bushes. Real Grizzly country. We were all hurting from the 15.6 or so miles that we did that day at serious inclines up and down. It was one of the most worthwhile hikes I have ever done. And yes.. there was a Grizzly sighting near the end of the trail in the last mile before the Loop trailhead. This hike isn't for the faint of heart but it is a once in lifetime experience. Have fun, just do a little Bear Aware training before you go!