Cracker Lake
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
This is prime grizzly bear country. Bear spray is non-negotiable, not optional. Make noise consistently through the forested sections and around blind corners — solo hikers are especially vulnerable on this trail.
Snow lingers on the upper trail well into July most years, and the final approach can be icy in early season. Microspikes are worth the weight if you're hiking before mid-July.
Afternoon thunderstorms roll into the cirque fast and without much warning. The exposed lakeshore offers zero shelter — if clouds are building by early afternoon, start heading back.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start by 7:30 AM to snag parking at Many Glacier — the lot fills completely by mid-morning in July and August, and there's no overflow option that won't add a mile to your day.
The trail crosses several streams that can run high through mid-July. Trekking poles make a real difference on the rocky creek crossings, and gaiters will save your socks if snowmelt is still pumping.
The most photographed angle of the lake is from the far shore near the old Cracker Mine site — add twenty minutes past the obvious stopping point at the near shore to get the full cirque reflected in that turquoise water, ideally before noon when the sun lights up the basin.