Gunsight Pass Trail is an extremely popular backpacking route that ascends to the Continental Divide from the St. Mary valley and crosses rocky ledges and alpine meadows to Sperry Chalets before descending to Lake McDonald. The Trail begins at Jackson Overlook and follows the course of the St. Mary River. The trail then crosses Reynolds Creek below Deadwood Falls. At mile 6.2, the trail reaches the foot of Gunsight Lake. From the foot of Gunsight Lake, the trail begins a long climb up the open north slope of Mount Jackson to the pass almost 1,600 feet above. From the pass, the trail descends the steep headwall of the Lincoln Creek valley, winding around to the north of Lake Ellen Wilson, then approximately 1.5 miles beyond the pass, a spur trail of .3 mile descends to the lake and campground. From the Ellen Wilson spur, the trail nears Lincoln Pass (7,050 feet), and Lincoln Lake. The trail then descends from Lincoln Pass to Sperry campground and upon entering the Sperry Chalets, the trail then exits this complex in front of the dining hall, and descends .2 mile to the junction with the Sperry Glacier Overlook trail.

Length: 18.7 miles

Trail Begins: Going To The Sun Road

Trail Ends: Piegan Pass Trail

USGS Map1: Park Map

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