Swiftcurrent Lake. It appears to tumble at least 200 feet down the cliff. Cracker Lake Hike, Glacier National Park: Address, Phone Number, Cracker Lake Hike Reviews: 4.5/5. The deep turquoise color of this glacially fed lake is a result of light refraction through its suspended load of glacial silt. The first few miles of the hike passes through a thick forest; however, at roughly one mile from the trailhead you'll reach an opening in the canopy that provides some outstanding views of the Cracker Flats area. Heading for the Cracker Mine (dark gray in the meadow are mine tailings) We arrived at the junction up the rock about mile 6.7, but instead of turning up onto the rock, we kept walking past the junction down to the campground (approx. USA. gcse.async = true; The Cracker Lake Mine was established in 1897 after copper was discovered on the south shore of the lake. In the spring and early summer runoff, Cracker Flats is flooded when the lake is full. As another interesting piece of history concerning the area, a BASE jumper leapt off of Mt. This town, named Altyn, after Dave Greenwood Altyn, one of the backers of the Cracker Jack, continued as the center of activity for the valley as long as the … It is a 6.2 mile hike each way - not difficult, but a … A town bearing his name was built near Cracker Flats, and was active from 1898 to 1902. There was not another color like this the park. Day Hikes of Glacier National Park Map-Guide. After continuing for another two-tenths of a mile you'll cross a footbridge over Allen Creek, and shortly thereafter, will reach the far end of the horse loop. The flats, prior to the creation of the lake, were the site of the mining town of Altyn, complete with saloon, to service Cracker Lake Mine being developed at the far end of Cracker Lake in the late 1800's. Depending on the season, this section of trail can be either extremely muddy, or it will be dusty and deeply rutted as a result of heavy horse traffic. The hike to Cracker Lake in Glacier National Park begins from the Piegan Pass / Cracker Lake Trailhead, located at the south end of the parking lot above the Many Glacier Hotel. Montana. According to legend the mine received its name when two prospectors, L. C. Emmonds and Hank Norris, had a lunch of cheese and crackers on the site after staking their claim. Although you won't actually be able to see the lake from this vantage point, you will be able to see the headwall between Mt. Cracker / Camper Van Beethoven : The Commonwealth Room: Salt Lake City, UT: Dec 27, 2019 Cracker / Camper Van Beethoven / The Maids of Honor : The Catalyst: Santa Cruz, CA: Aug 14, 2019 Cracker: Stevens Point, WI: Jul 14, 2019 Camper Van Beethoven / Cracker : Fine Line: Minneapolis, MN: Jul 13, 2019 Cracker / Camper … Make sure you make a lot of noise, travel in groups of three or more, and carry bear spray. Rocky Mountains. According to legend the mine received its name when two prospectors, L. C. Emmonds and Hank Norris, after staking their claim, had a lunch of cheese and crackers on the site. Water feature, 3½ miles north. However, after the mine went bust, so did the town. Prospect Development Status. At roughly 5.8 miles hikers will arrive at an overlook that provides outstanding views from the north end of Cracker Lake. There have been quite a few bear sightings on this trail, which is understandable considering it's grizzly territory. Siyeh. Copper Commodity. What impresses people most about this lake is the surreal turquoise color of the lake. The mountains across the upper reaches of Lake Sherburne create a magnificent scene during the early morning hours. Cracker Lake Lake, 750 feet north; Cracker Mine Mine, 770 feet south; Cracker Mountain, 3700 feet south; Siyeh Glacier Glacier, 4200 feet southwest; Mount Siyeh Mountain, 1 mile south; Preston Park Plain, 1 mile south; Other Places. You could stop at this point, but the views are even better from the red rock outcropping further up the trail. before using any information on this site. My favorite thing about the Cracker Lake Trail is I hardly saw another human being.. That’s right; I went to Glacier National Park and escaped the crowds. The Cracker Lake Mine is a copper mine located in Glacier county, Montana at an elevation of 6,079 feet. })(); Copyright © 2020 | Hikers should also take a look at the walls surrounding the lake where you'll likely notice some really interesting sedimentary layers of multi-colored rock. gcse.type = 'text/javascript'; s.parentNode.insertBefore(gcse, s); At roughly 3.25 miles from the trailhead you'll emerge from the forest. Directly across the basin from this perch is 9376-foot Allen Mountain. Many Glacier is probably my favorite section of the park for it’s intense stunning beauty … Please read this Disclaimer / Privacy Policy Crater Lake inspires awe. Make sure to plan accordingly and go the extra ~1 mile down to the lake shore. The 1,400 foot elevation gain may be less than half of what we experienced in Big Pine but is still considered “strenuous” by many hiking metrics. During this rush the boom town of Altyn near present-day Many Glacier flourished as a center of mining activity. It is possible!. Cracker Lake Mine (Cracker Mine), Glacier Co., Montana, USA Cracker Lake Mine (Cracker Mine), Glacier Co., Montana, USA This page is currently not sponsored. In addition to the tunnel the miners built a sawmill and erected a 16,000-pound steam driven concentrator to process the ore. Modern day explorers can still find mine tailings and some of the abandoned machinery around the old mine site today. One Dead Digger Mine Near Essex, Montana. Photo Credit to Howard Stone. Copyright var cx = 'partner-pub-9736755019159052:xpuzw9d2li5'; According to legend the mine received its name when two prospectors, L. C. Emmonds and Hank Norris, after staking their claim, had a lunch of cheese and crackers on the site. Siyeh. … The Cracker Lake Mine was established on the southern end of the lake at the foot of Mt. Cracker Lake is located in the Many Glacier region of the park, and it ranks among most people’s top 10 hikes to do in Glacier National Park. If hiking on a bright sunny day, you'll be immediately struck by the most amazing turquoise color you could ever imagine. Scientists marvel at its purity: fed by rain and snow, it’s the deepest lake in the USA and one of the most pristine on earth. Not only that, but this lake is one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen, and I live in Alaska. Towering above the south end of the lake is 10,014-foot Mt. Cracker Lake also was the site of mining activity in the past, and some of the ruins are still there today. Once the location of a mine, this lake is nestled in a basin with towering walls and an abundance of wildlife. Cracker Lake Campground ... Josephine Mine. From the outcropping hikers will stand roughly one hundred feet above the lake. This is still another half-mile away, but well worth the effort. For those that still have the energy to do some additional exploring you'll have the option of continuing on towards the old Cracker Lake Mine site. cestovatel25 / TripAdvisor The mine was established in 1897 after copper was discovered on the south shore of the lake. Please add your email address and specify your topics of interest. Eventually, you'll come to the Cracker Lake Mine remains. A little information about the mining: By 1910, when Glacier National Park was finally formed, only a small number of … At 4.75 miles the trail finally emerges from the forest for the last time. It travels through prime grizzly bear habitat, passes through a lot of tall vegetation, including many berry patches, and makes a lot of twists and turns, thus creating numerous blind spots along the route. The Cracker Lake Mine was established on the southern end of the lake at the foot of Mt. 2 Extension: Iron Titanium: Gravel Pit: Private: Sand and Gravel: Gravel Pit: Sand and Gravel: Gravel Pit: Sand and Gravel: Gravel … Posts about Cracker Lake written by Malcolm R. Campbell. (1,853 Meters). @ document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); HikinginGlacier.com. Mining Town Archive | The former townsite was buried under water after the Lake Sherburne reservoir filled the valley in 1921. The mine was established in 1897 after copper was discovered on the south shore of the lake. Cracker Lake Hike, Glacier National Park Picture: Cracker lake and an old mine site - Check out Tripadvisor members' 12,848 candid photos and videos of Cracker Lake … Regardless of the beautiful mountain cliffs and forests found along the trail, Cracker lake is definitely a must see. All rights reserved. var gcse = document.createElement('script'); (function() { The lake can be reached by a 6.1 mi (9.8 km) trail from the Piegan Pass with 1400 ft (427 … Over the course of the first 1.7 miles of this hike you'll be sharing the trail with horses from the concessioners corral at Many Glacier. gcse.src = 'https://cse.google.com/cse.js?cx=' + cx; After passing the horse loop the trail climbs a couple of switchbacks, and then begins ascending a ridge where you'll have the fairly unusual occurrence of being able to see two creeks flowing down valleys on either side of you: Allen on your right, and Canyon Creek on your left. function ml_webform_success_2150690(){var r=ml_jQuery||jQuery;r(".ml-subscribe-form-2150690 .row-success").show(),r(".ml-subscribe-form-2150690 .row-form").hide()}. But before beautiful vistas envelop you, you'll have to travel along a horse loop for 3.2 km, which may not produce the most pleasant smells in the world.Once you're past this initial part of the trail, it becomes incredibly scenic and … As a result, hikers should be extra vigilant on this trail. Cracker Lake in Glacier Park is nestled in a huge glacial cirque, and is surrounded by a natural cathedral of towering walls and peaks. Folks who hoped to profit from the mining operations built the town of Altyn near the mouth of Canyon Creek. Filter 73 mines by commodity, disposition, development status, and record type in Flathead County, Montana. Cracker Lake in Glacier Park is a beautiful glacial turquoise-colored lake that is absolutely awe-inspiring. Glacier, Elevation: Entering the mine, however, is strictly prohibited. ... Cracker Lake Mine Near Saint Mary, Montana. Siyeh, and sitting like a gem more than 4000 feet below is Cracker Lake. The Cracker Lake Mine was established in 1897 after copper was discovered on the shore of the lake. From this point forward you'll enjoy spectacular views of the deep canyon you entered a couple miles back, as well as fantastic views of your final destination. The Cracker Lake Mine was established on the southern end of the lake at the foot of Mt. Siyeh and Allen Mountain. According to legend the mine received its name when two prospectors, L. C. Emmonds and Hank Norris, had a lunch of cheese and crackers on the site after staking their claim. In the course of the hike, we encountered waterfalls, glaciers, a wide range of ecosystems, a bull … The former townsite was buried under water after the Lake Sherburne reservoir filled the valley in 1921. Cracker Lake Campground from Mapcarta, the free map. Apparently this is an old copper mine area and perhaps the copper oxide is responsible for the color. Cracker Lake is a surreal-colored lake in the Many Glacier valley. Native Americans witnessed its formation 7,700 years ago, when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of a tall peak. mile 6.75) and on to some of the old mine tailings about a tenth of a mile later, … According to the legend, the mine received it name when L.C.Emmonds and Hank Norris, had a lunch of cheese and crackers on the site after stalking their claim. If it were possible to ignore the magnificent scenery of the surrounding mountains, it would still be well worth the hike just to see this incredibly beautiful color. On this particular trip, I saw mountain goats, a moose and a bear in addition to many birds, flowers and small mammals such as marmots and Columbian ground squirrels. Montana, County: var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; The Cracker Mine at the head of Cracker Lake opened in the same year. Cracker Lake is famous for its beautiful turquoise water color thanks to rock flour (silt) elements from Siyeh Glacier. Flathead, MT County, Montana Location. The Cracker Lake Trail has a long reputation for bear sightings, and for obvious reasons. Coincident with and mainly due to the development of the Cracker Lake Mine, a small boom town sprang up at the mouth of Canyon Creek near the head of Sherburne Lake. Note: This somewhat lengthy post about Glacier National Park’s Swiftcurrent Valley first appeared in a now-out-of-print anthology called “Nature’s Gifts,” published in 2010 in paperback. Locations on Rose Creek, on Boulder Creek, at Cracker Lake, in the Swiftcurrent Valley, and above Slide Lake appeared especially valuable in this flurry of mining exploration. All mine locations were obtained from the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Located in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park, the trail is about 12.5 miles one way, though it is a good hike to … IBEX Mine Reports: Cracker Creek District: Lake Creek Prospect Claim: Lake Creek Prospect Report: Cracker Creek District: Mountain View Mine Claim: Mountain View Mine Reports: Cracker Creek District: North Pole-Columbia Lode Claim: North Pole Lode Letters: Cracker Creek District: North America. Hopes were so high for the Cracker Jack and Bullshead Mine on the shoulder of Mt. At just over 1.4 miles hikers will arrive at the Cracker Flats Horse Loop. The 6.1 mile (12.2 roundtrip), hike to Cracker Lake includes wooded forests, grand views of lakes and mountains, creek crossings, distant waterfalls, mining ruins, possible wildflowers and wildlife, and a swim in turquoise water. Siyeh in 1997, intending to land near Cracker Lake. Mine Owner Land Status Work Type Minerals; Badger Creek Deposits: Iron Titanium: Borrow Pit: Sand and Gravel: Bufflo Lake Deposit: Iron Titanium: Cracker Lake Mine: National Park: Copper: East Kiowa No. Click here to sponsor this page. State: A lesson in the industrial age may seem farfetched in such a remote location, but at the end of the lake, visitors will find the leftovers of the Cracker Lake Mine. According to legend the mine received its name when two prospectors, L. C. Emmonds and Hank Norris, after staking their claim, had a lunch of cheese and crackers on the site. To continue on towards Cracker Lake hikers should turn left at this junction. You truly get to experience everything from crossing creeks on log bridges, trekking through the woods and then the final approach to cracker lake is a breeze. At roughly 2.3 miles you may catch a glimpse of an impressive waterfall flowing off the cliff straight ahead of you. Cracker Lake Campground with an interactive map and directions. One of the financial backers of the Cracker Lake Mine was Dave Greenwood Altyn. The locations and other information in this database have not been verified for accuracy. Many Glacier Lodge. One of the financial backers of the Cracker Lake Mine was Dave Greenwood Altyn. Babb, MT Copper mines, mine companies, mine owners and mine information. This break in the canopy offers the first views of the canyon, formed in part by the steep slopes of Allen Mountain. My book on the history of hiking has much more information about trail development in Glacier, as well as the early years of the park. Unfortunately you won't have a real clear view as the waterfall is partially hidden by trees, and the trail never gets any closer. Almost immediately after jumping the man hit a wall and his parachute became caught on a rock roughly 400 feet below the summit. However, after the mine went bust, so did the town. Siyeh. An email has been sent to the address you entered, please click the link in that email to confirm your address. Privacy. The Cracker Lake Mine is a copper mine located in Glacier county, Montana at an elevation of 6,079 feet. Almost immediately after starting your hike you'll reach a split in the trail. It should be assumed that all mines are on private property. Although miners dug a thirteen hundred foot tunnel into the mountain, and the vein looked fairly promising, a mining expert from Helena eventually determined that the site wouldn't be profitable, and discouraged further development. Cracker Lake Trail is a 12 mile hike deep into Glacier National Park through grizzly territory. At 1400ft elevation gain, the trail never gets too taxing. Beyond the mine the trail finally reaches the shoreline at the far end of the lake. It doesn't quite go all the way to the bottom, but you could make it to the shore with a little bit of off-trail bushwhacking. Cracker Lake's hike reveals stunning views of the canyon while leading you to the magical alpine lake. 6,079 Feet A little more than a half-mile from this spot you’ll cross over Canyon Creek, at which point the trail heads back into the forest for another long stretch. Siyeh Pass Gap, 1½ miles southeast; Siyeh Pass Trail Trail, 2 miles southeast; Cracker Lake … Wilbur that the exploration activity for the two combined under the “Michigan and Montana Company” and … A stalwart hiker poses at Cracker Lake, very near the location of the Cracker Jack Mine. This onetime robust little settlement got its name from Dave Altyn, one of the mine’s financial backers. Quarry, 3½ miles northwest. US-Mining provides information on mines, operators, and minerals mined in Babb, MT Cracker Lake is a surreal-colored lake in the Many Glacier valley. A town bearing his name was built near Cracker Flats, and was active from 1898 to 1902. 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