Fishercap Lake Trail: An Easy Hike in Glacier National Park

22 Sep Fishercap Lake Trail: An Easy Hike in Glacier National Park

Posted at 17:25h in Montana, U.S.A., West by Alaina Thomas 0 Comments

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If you are looking for one of the best short as well as easy hikes in Glacier National Park, then look no further than the Fishercap Lake Trail. This trail is perfect for hikers of all experience levels, from beginner to intermediate to advanced. Why is that? Fishercap Lake Trail is only 0.8 miles (~1.3 kilometers) long with approximately 20 feet (~six meters) in elevation gain. An average hiker can complete the trail in 15 minutes.

However, do not let the short distance and minimal elevation gain of the trail fool you; there is still a beautiful payout at the end. The trail leads to Fishercap Lake, which has crystal clear waters as well as mountains just beyond the shore. Moreover, Fishercap Lake is one of the best places to spot moose in Many Glacier. Visit at dawn or dusk to increase your chances of spotting a moose!

Glacier National Park is home to so many other hikes that lead to lakes, including the Iceberg Lake Trail in Many Glacier, Hidden Lake Overlook Trail at Logan Pass, and Avalanche Lake Trail in West Glacier.

1) General Glacier National Park Information

Glacier National Park is referred to as the Crown of the Continent. Just take a glance at some of the photos throughout this post or do a quick google search of Glacier photos, and you are sure to understand why. The park has almost unbelievable scenery within its borders, for example lakes with crystal-clear waters, canyons with views of the rolling mountains, wildlife galore, and so much more.

After I visited Glacier for the first time, it easily became my favorite national park I have visited thus far. I am not alone in this either, for it seems to be quite a phenomenon. Whenever I see a friend post pictures of their visit to Glacier on their social media, they just about always mention in the caption that it has become their new favorite national park. That being said, add Glacier National Park to your travel bucket list today! Trust me, you will not regret it.

For a quick fun fact before we dive into some logistics – Glacier National Park in the United States and Waterton National Park in Canada came together to form the first international peace park. The countries recognized that the beauty of each park did not end at the border between them but instead transcended across countries. Moreover, the wildlife do not recognize human borders (unless there is a wall or fence blocking them), for they roam as they please.

Where is Glacier National Park Located?

Glacier National Park has its home in northwestern Montana. Moreover, it is just a quick 30-minute drive from the Canadian border. Why not extend your trip by a couple of days and head up to Canada?

However, the park does not rank well in terms of “ease of access”. There are no airports within an hour of the park, but instead you have to go a bit further out. For example, the two closest airports are the Kalispell City Airport and the Great Falls International Airport. Kalispell is located three hours southwest of the park and Great Falls is three hours southeast. The next closest airport is the Missoula Montana Airport, which is located four and a half hours southwest of the park.

As a note, I used the Many Glacier entrance station as the destination to calculate the driving time from each airport. Why? The Fishercap Lake Trail is located in the Many Glacier section of the park. If you have a different destination, please be aware that the driving time might vary anywhere from five minutes to an hour.

Light rays from sunrise just starting to hit the valley behind Hidden Lake

What are the Most Visited Sections of Glacier?

This is where it can get a bit complicated. You might see different sources online state that there are five, six, nine, etc. sections of the park. Honestly, it does not make that much of a difference how you split the park up. As long as you are aware of the park’s general structure, you should be good to go. I recommend you look at the park in five sections: (1) Two Medicine (2) Many Glacier (3) Going to the Sun Road (4) North Fork (5) Goat Haunt.

First, the section of Going to the Sun Road is just what you think it is – a road. The road runs from the eastern edge of Glacier to the western edge. The road holds a vast array of attractions, but it is also an attraction in and of itself due to the beautiful views it offers. Some of the main attractions along the road include the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, Highline Trail, and Avalanche Lake Trail. Additionally, some people split the Going to the Sun Road into more sections. For example, there is Lake McDonald and Apgar Village on the western side of the road, Logan Pass around the middle, Rising Sun closer to the eastern side, and St. Mary at the eastern entrance.

Second, Many Glacier is located closer to the northeastern area of Glacier. In other words, drive north from Two Medicine, and you will eventually arrive at Many Glacier. Many Glacier is one of the most popular sections of Glacier, right alongside Going to the Sun Road. Its popularity largely centers around one main trail: Grinnell Glacier. However, it is also home to a variety of other incredible trails. For example, there is the Iceberg Lake Trail and of course the Fishercap Lake Trail.

What are the Least Visited Sections of Glacier?

Third, Two Medicine will most likely be the first section of the park you see if you are driving from Wyoming. It is located in the southeastern area of Glacier National Park. However, one thing to note about Two Medicine is that it is not as popular as other sections of the park, for example Many Glacier or Going to the Sun Road. Some people do not even enter Two Medicine if they only have one to three days in the park. Nevertheless, I recommend you hike the Running Eagle Falls Trail as well as the South Shore Trail to Paradise Point if you plan to visit.

Fourth, head to the western side of Glacier to find the section of North Fork. Think about it this way – North Fork is just a bit north from the western edge of the Going to the Sun Road. Similar to Two Medicine, North Fork is not one of the most popular sections of the park. This is mainly due to its location and the fact it holds less attractions. If you do visit, I recommend hiking to Bowman Lake.

Fifth, Goat Haunt is located in northern Glacier. More specifically, it is just south of the Canadian border. On a positive note, this is the section of Glacier where you can experience the most peace and privacy. That is because most people do not venture here. You have two options to arrive in Goat Haunt. First, you can book a scenic cruise from Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada. Second, you can set out on an overnight backpacking trip from somewhere in Glacier that is more easily accessible.

This map was created with Wanderlog, the best trip planner app on iOS and Android

What are the Opening Hours of Glacier?

Glacier National Park is open to visitors all day, every day. However, do not celebrate yet. The vast majority of the park is inaccessible from the late fall through the late spring seasons. As I am sure you can imagine, northern Montana (where the park is located) receives a lot of snow in the winter. More specifically, the snow can begin around October or November and remain on the roads and trails until June or early July.

What does this mean? You cannot complete the Fishercap Lake Trail if you visit from late fall to late spring when the roads are closed.

However, one road within the park usually remains open all year round since it is plowed by park officials. This one road is the section of the Going to the Sun Road between Lake McDonald Lodge and West Glacier. Nevertheless, you will still not be able to do much if you visit here in the winter. Your main activities would likely include snowshoeing and cuddling up by the fireplace.

Do I Need an Entrance Pass for Glacier?

This is incredibly important – you are required to have a valid entrance pass to access Glacier National Park. This should not be a surprise, for most national parks within the United States require you to pay an entrance fee. The entrance fee for Glacier is $35 per private vehicle. However, the fee can be different for other vehicle types. I recommend you visit the nps.gov Glacier webpage for detailed and current information.

Even if you arrive at the park at 4am when there are no staff on duty at the entrance station, you still need to pay the entrance fee. There should be a sign at the station with information on how to pay the fee. For example, you can now also purchase a digital entrance pass for Glacier. This means you can purchase the pass at any time and in any place. Do not skip out on paying the entrance fee, for then you are skipping out on doing your part to help protect and preserve the park for years to come.

Sun shining on Bearhat mountain behind Hidden Lake

If you plan to visit multiple national parks within the span of a year, then I recommend you purchase an annual park pass for $80. The pass pays for itself after a visit to three national parks (where the entrance fee is $30+ per park). Why not purchase the pass and then plan a trip to hike Angels Landing in Zion National Park as well as to watch the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain at Acadia National Park. Buying an annual park pass is one of the best ways to visit national parks on a budget.

Do I Need a Vehicle Reservation for Glacier?

Another important note – you also are required to have a vehicle reservation for most of the sections of Glacier National Park. Vehicle reservations are required for the sections of Many Glacier, Going to the Sun Road, Two Medicine, and North Fork. Moreover, they are required between the hours of 6am to 3pm from the months of May through September. However, the dates required for vehicle reservations might differ slightly for each section of the park. I thus recommend you visit the nps.gov Glacier webpage for more detailed and current information.

Additionally, please note that separate vehicle reservations are required for each section of the park you plan to visit. For example, you need a Going to the Sun Road as well as a Many Glacier vehicle reservation if you plan to visit both sections on the same day. Thankfully a vehicle reservation is only $2, so it should not break the bank. For the Fishercap Lake Trail, plan to obtain a Many Glacier vehicle reservation.

I know you are probably thinking that an entrance pass + a vehicle reservation is a lot. However, the park is doing what they think is best in terms of park preservation. Too many people visiting Glacier at once could cause important vegetation to be harmed, for example. They are not just thinking about the visitors of tomorrow but also the visitors of 50 years from now.

Nevertheless, there is one way to avoid having to obtain and pay for a vehicle reservation. You can enter the park outside of the vehicle reservation hours. This generally means you need to enter before 6am or after 3pm.

Panoramic view from Hidden Lake Overlook

2) Location of Fishercap Lake Trail

Where is the Fishercap Trail located? In what section of Glacier National Park is the Fishercap Lake Trail?

The trailhead for Fishercap Lake is located at the Swiftcurrent Trailhead in Many Glacier. Please keep in mind that you will need to pay an entrance fee as well as obtain a vehicle reservation to enter Many Glacier and thus access the trailhead.

As mentioned above in section one, the Many Glacier section is located in northeastern Glacier National Park. If you are staying in St. Mary at the eastern edge of the Going to the Sun Road, then it is just a 30-minute drive up the road to Many Glacier. On the other hand, Many Glacier is a one-hour drive from Logan Pass, which is closer to the middle of the Going to the Sun Road. Logan Pass holds a variety of popular attractions, for example the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail.

One more important thing to note before we get to lodging. You should not rely on cell service anywhere inside of Glacier National Park, including on the trail to or along the shore of Fishercap Lake. Google Maps now offers you the ability to download offline versions of national parks. I recommend you take advantage of this and download an offline version of Glacier.

Camping and Lodging near the Fishercap Lake Trail

There is no overnight camping allowed on the Fishercap Lake Trail or at Fishercap Lake. Nevertheless, there are plenty of campground options nearby if you still want to stay in the park overnight.

The closest campground to the trailhead is the Many Glacier Campground. The campground is located just across the street from the trail. You truly cannot ask for a campground more convenient than that! Campsites at Many Glacier Campground become available six months in advance. That being said, you should try to book a campsite at the exact moment it becomes available. Trust me, the campsites are more competitive than you can imagine.

The second closest campground to the trailhead is the St. Mary Campground at 30 minutes southeast. This campground earned my personal recommendation after we stayed here for three nights during a trip to Glacier. It is not only within a 30-minute drive of various attractions, but it is also within a short drive of food options in the town of St. Mary. However, I recommend that you plan to shower early if you want a hot shower. We enjoyed hot showers around 5pm, but we had to endure cold showers at 8pm.

The third closest campground is the Rising Sun Campground at 45 minutes southeast. The campground itself is within a prime location. However, the sites are first-come, first-served. Rising Sun Campground is thus not the best option if you need to ensure you have someplace to stay for the night.

On the other hand, maybe you do not want to camp at all. There are still options out there for you! I recommend you check out Cozy Duck Lake Cabin or St. Mary Village.

Wilbur Creek running through the forest along the Fishercap Lake Trail

3) Best Time to Hike

When is the best time to hike to Fishercap Lake in Glacier National Park?

The best time to begin hiking the Fishercap Lake Trail is before 8am or after 4pm.

Parking can become difficult near the trailhead as early as mid-morning. There is one main parking lot for the Many Glacier area, which includes access to Swiftcurrent Lake Trail and Nell’s Restaurant as well as Fishercap Lake Trail. Many Glacier is also home to one of the park’s most popular trails: Iceberg Lake Trail. While there is a small lot specific for this trailhead, it often fills up quickly. Hikers headed to Iceberg Lake thus might park in the main parking lot near Fishercap Lake if the smaller lot is full.

All of that being said, you have to fight for parking against a lot of other people. The parking lot generally starts to fill up anytime between 9am and 11am and remains full until the late afternoon. If you arrive in between these times, you might have to circle the lot a couple of times to secure a spot.

Additionally, Fishercap Lake is known to be a great spot to view moose. Moose are known to be more active at dawn and dusk. Your chances of seeing a moose are thus better in the early morning or the late evening. However, we hiked around 5pm and saw no moose. Honestly, our experience of seeing wildlife in Glacier was quite random and unexpected.

When is the Best Season to Hike the Fishercap Lake Trail?

I mentioned above in section one that the road through Many Glacier closes in mid November and does not reopen until June. You therefore cannot hike to Fishercap Lake during those months.

That being said, the best seasons to hike to Fishercap Lake are the summer and fall. More specifically, the best months are from July through September. Snow can sometimes remain on the road into Many Glacier and/or the Fishercap Lake Trail until late June or sometimes even July. If you wait to hike until August or September, then you are likely to encounter a trail without any snow. We hiked in early August and did not encounter any snow on the trail.

Walking along the Fishercap Lake Trail

4) Trail Directions

As mentioned previously, the trailhead for Fishercap Lake is located in the Many Glacier section of the park. Arrive early to snag a parking spot so that you can begin hiking immediately.

One important thing to note about this trail is that it can be a bit difficult to find. When we visited, we did not see any signs for the Fishercap Lake Trail. Moreover, we did not even see the trail outlined on the large sign at the beginning of Swiftcurrent Pass. But do not worry – I will go over everything you need to know.

How Do I Reach the Trailhead for Fishercap Lake in Glacier National Park?

Please be aware that the Fishercap Lake Trailhead is located at the same location as the Swiftcurrent Trailhead. If you look on Google Maps, there is no separate location denoting the trailhead for Fishercap Lake. Moreover, there are no signs for the trailhead once you arrive. Instead, you need to look for signs of the Swiftcurrent Trailhead.

Once you arrive at the Fishercap Lake Trailhead (aka the Swiftcurrent Trailhead), there will be a large sign with a map denoting nearby trails. Unfortunately the trail to Fishercap Lake is not highlighted as a separate trail on this map. Instead, you just need to look for Fishercap Lake on the map and see what trails lead you there.

Keep reading for more specific trail directions.

Directions from the Trailhead to Fishercap Lake

While you can look on the map at the trailhead to see how to arrive at Fishercap Lake, I will also go over specific trail directions here. Moreover, take a look at the picture below to see the loop trail.

First, arrive at the Fishercap Lake Trailhead (aka the Swiftcurrent Trailhead). Second, hike along the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail for one minute or 180 feet (~55 meters). Third, turn left to hike along Waterton Vly (the trail is also still called Swiftcurrent Pass Trail) for six minutes or 0.2 miles (~0.3 kilometers). The trail passes over Wilbur Creek before it then passes a trail on the right side. Do not turn just yet. Turning here leads you back around the loop before you even reach the lake. Fourth, turn left on the side trail that leads to the lake. Hike for two minutes or 240 feet (~73 meters) to reach the lakeshore.

Outline of the Fishercap Lake Trail on Google Maps

Directions from Fishercap Lake to the Trailhead

When you have finished taking in the beauty of the lake (which hopefully includes a few moose), then it is time to hike back to the trailhead.

First, hike straight back along the trail from the lake for two minutes or 240 feet (~73 meters). Second, turn right to hike along Waterton Vly (also called Swiftcurrent Pass Trail) for three minutes or 400 feet (~122 meters). The next step is where you deviate from the route you took to reach the lake. The hike is a loop after all! Third, bear left to continue along the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail for five minutes or 0.2 miles (~0.3 kilometers). The trail passes over Wilbur Creek once again. Additionally, there is a fork in the path along this section of the trail – make sure you bear right.

Fourth, the trail then intersects with the road that loops around the Swiftcurrent Cabins for one minute or 250 feet (~76 meters). Fifth, the trail then goes back to an actual trail – Swiftcurrent Pass Trail – for two minutes or 440 feet (~134 meters). Hike straight along this final portion of the trail to then find yourself back at the trailhead.

Fishercap Lake is truly one of the best short as well as easy hikes in all of Glacier National Park.

Alternative Fishercap Lake Trail Options

You might look at the picture of the trail above and think – can I just hike out and back? Do I have to hike the loop? Honestly, there are a few different ways you can hike to Fishercap Lake.

The loop I outlined above tends to be the most popular. Moreover, it is the trail featured on All Trails. Nevertheless, you can adjust this loop trail slightly if you wish.

For example, you can choose to do the hike as an out and back trail from the trailhead to the lake. This just means you skip the loop on the way back (aka the northern portion of the trail). Additionally, you can choose to do the hike as an out and back trail from the Iceberg Ptarmigan Trailhead or the road around the Swiftcurrent Cabins.

You can even add Fishercap Lake as an additional stop on your longer hike, for example if you plan to hike along the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail to Redrock Lake, Redrock Falls, or Bullhead Lake.

Map of the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail, part of which leads to Fishercap Lake

5) Trail Scenery

What scenery is on the trail to Fishercap Lake?

The trail to Fishercap Lake winds through a forest and over a small creek before reaching the lakeshore. That being said, you can enjoy shade for a vast majority of the trail. However, please note that the lakeshore is in the full sun. While Glacier National Park does not usually endure too hot of temperatures in the summers, you can still get sunburn from being in direct sunlight for too long. That is especially true if you have fair and sensitive skin, like me.

Crossing a bridge over Wilbur Creek along the Fishercap Lake Trail

6) Trail Length, Distance, and Difficulty

How challenging is the Fishercap Lake Trail? Is the Fishercap Lake Trail family friendly?

The Fishercap Lake Trail in Glacier National Park is a 0.8 mile (~1.3 kilometer) loop trail with approximately 20 feet (~six meters) in elevation gain. An average hiker can complete the trail in 15 minutes.

It is considered to be an easy trail. Moreover, I would say that it is one of (if not the) most family-friendly trails in all of Glacier National Park due to the fact it is less than one mile (~1.6 kilometers) long and has almost no elevation gain. If you are looking for an easy hike and/or a short hike in Glacier, then add Fishercap Lake to your list!

How Long is the Trail to Fishercap Lake?

I recommend you plan between 30 minutes to one hour in your itinerary to hike Fishercap Lake. The hike itself only takes around 15 minutes or so to complete. However, Fishercap Lake is known to be a great location to spot moose. I thus recommend you relax for a bit at the lakeshore to give the moose a chance to make an appearance.

When we hiked to Fishercap Lake, we sat down on some rocks along the shore for approximately 30 minutes. We had hoped to see moose, but unfortunately we did not. Maybe next time!

View from the shore of Fishercap Lake

7) When You Reach Fishercap Lake

What are the views like at Fishercap Lake? Is hiking to Fishercap Lake worth it?

To put it simply – yes, hiking to Fishercap Lake is worth it! The hike itself is pretty short with almost zero elevation gain. Moreover, the views at the end are quite beautiful.

Once you reach the lakeshore, you are met by a uniquely-colored lake with mountains in the background. The lake ranges in color from orange and yellow near the shore to blue and green in the deeper sections. Moreover, the water is clear enough along the shore for you to see right through it. If you are lucky enough to visit at the right time and on a clear day, then you might even see a bit of the mountain reflecting in the water.

There is one mountain looming over the backside of the lake, but there are additional mountains further out, no matter where you turn. While we did not see much snow on the mountains in early August, you are more likely to see snow in June or early July.

Moreover, you can walk along the shore around the lake once you arrive at the end of the trail. We definitely appreciated the fact that there is plenty of space along the shoreline when we visited. There were already 30+ people there when we arrived at the lake, so we walked for a bit down the shore to find a more quiet and private spot. While there are no benches for seating, there are some rocks large enough to act as a seat.

Can I Swim or Fish at Fishercap Lake?

For those of you brave enough for a “polar plunge”, you can even go for a swim or dip your toes in the lake. I will not lie to you – the water is cold. Nevertheless, going for a swim in a lake in Glacier National Park might be a once in a lifetime experience. If you decide to go for a swim, make sure you have someone watching out for you. Your body can react negatively if you are hot and sweating and then jump into ice-cold water. Such a drastic change of temperature can make your body go into shock. While you might have jumped in lakes of similar temperatures before, it is always a good idea to make sure someone is around to help you if an emergency arises.

On the other hand, maybe you are more into fishing than swimming. Unfortunately Fishercap Lake is not known to be one of the best fishing spots in the park. The lake is pretty shallow and the ground is fairly silty, thus making for less than ideal fishing conditions. While you can catch some small brook trout in the lake, it is unlikely that you will catch any fish larger than that. Moreover, plan to bring a set of waders if you want to wander out into the lake. The area around the shore can tend to be a bit boggy.

View from the shore of Fishercap Lake

8) Where are the Moose?

Can you see moose at Fishercap Lake? Is Fishercap Lake a good spot to try and see wildlife, including moose?

Ready for some good news? Yes, you can see moose at Fishercap Lake!

Ready for some not-as-good news? There is no exact science to predict when moose will be at Fishercap Lake. A general rule of thumb is that moose are more active around dawn and dusk. However, that does not mean you are guaranteed to see moose at that time. My best piece of advice is to head to Fishercap Lake around dawn and/or dusk and plan to sit on the lakeshore for 30 minutes or more. Doing that gives you the best chance to spot a moose and make your dreams come true.

Unfortunately, we did not see any moose when we hiked to Fishercap Lake around 5pm in early August. Our entire experience of seeing wildlife in Glacier National Park was quite random – our best moose sighting was along the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail. Nevertheless, I would still hike to Fishercap Lake time and time again to take the chance of seeing a moose. I have heard some stories of people seeing moose eating or playing around in the lake. Fingers crossed you have a bit more luck than us and see a moose at Fishercap Lake.

Moose Safety

The National Park Service recommends that you keep a distance of at least 25 yards (~23 meters) away from moose at all times. Moreover, you want to be in a location where you can reach cover before the moose can reach you. For example, you need to be able to run behind a tree from where you are currently standing faster than the moose can run to you.

Remember, moose are wild animals and thus their behavior cannot be predicted. However, they are most likely to charge or attack when they feel threatened. Signs a moose might become aggressive include ears peeled back, grunting, and the stomping of feet. If you notice any of those signs of aggression, then back away slowly and speak softly. If the moose charges, your best bet is to run behind a tree as mentioned previously. In the event that you are unable to find cover, drop to the ground and curl up in a ball. Focus on protecting your neck.

Spotted two moose in the water from the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail

9) Bear Safety

Do I need bear spray in Glacier National Park?

Glacier National Park is in bear territory. More specifically, you can find both black bears as well as grizzly bears within the park’s borders. The Fishercap Lake Trail in Glacier National Park usually has a fair amount of people hiking along it. However, that does not mean bears do not wander along or around the trail.

While we did not see any bears as we hiked along the trail, it is always a possibility.

What Steps Should I Take to Prepare for a Bear Encounter?

The National Park Service (NPS) provides some basic bear safety tips for when you visit Glacier National Park. First, do not approach a bear under any circumstances. While bears may look fluffy and cute, they are wild animals and thus can be aggressive towards humans. Second, keep a distance of at least 100 yards (~90 meters) from a bear. Sometimes you cannot help this if a bear surprises you right along a trail, but do your best.

Third, make continuous noise while hiking to deter the bears. If a bear hears you, then they are most likely going to head in the opposite direction. Bears generally want nothing to do with humans. The NPS recommends talking loudly and clapping to make noise. On the other hand, bells attached to your backpack do not make enough noise. Fourth, hike with a group instead of hiking alone. If you happen to be in Glacier on a solo trip, then meet some people along the trail. Ask if you can tag along with them, for there is safety in numbers.

Fifth, never surprise a bear on purpose. To accomplish this, it is recommended to not hike in the dark nor to run on a trail. Sixth, always carry bear spray as a protective measure. Additionally, you might want to practice using bear spray if you have never had to use it before.

Visit the NPS webpage on bear safety if you want additional information.

What Do I Do if I Encounter a Bear While Hiking?

If you do encounter a bear while hiking to Fishercap Lake, then here are some tips on what to do.

Maybe you see a bear ahead of you, walking on the trail or in the nearby forest. You should then move away from the bear and out of its path. This might mean that you need to double back along the trail. If the bear notices you, then watch for signs of aggression.

Sitting along the shore at Fishercap Lake

Signs of aggression can include the bear swaying their head, clacking their teeth, lowering their head, laying back their ears, and/or huffing. On the other hand, the bear might just be curious when they see you. If they are curious, then they might approach you or stand on their hind legs. These two actions alone do not indicate aggression. Nevertheless, you should back away slowly while talking in a calm and quiet voice. Moreover, do not lock eyes with the bear.

The bear might still continue to approach you without any signs of aggression even if you take the measures mentioned above. If that is the case, huddle together with your group. I told you hiking with a group was a good safety measure! Once huddled together, make a bunch of noise to try and scare the bear off. If the bear continues to approach, prepare to deploy your bear spray.

Stop backing away slowly if the bear goes from being curious to showing one of the signs of aggression mentioned above. At this point, you should remain in place while continuing to speak in a calm and quiet voice. Additionally, prepare to deploy your bear spray, which most likely can shoot up to 30 feet (~nine meters) away.

What Do I Do During a Bear Attack Without Bear Spray?

You should always carry bear spray with you while hiking in Glacier National Park since it is in bear territory. However, here are some tips on how to protect yourself if you encounter a bear without bear spray.

The most important thing is to prepare your body for an attack. To accomplish this, lay with your stomach on the ground as you clasp your hands behind your neck. The bear might try to turn you over onto your back. As much as possible, do not let them do that.

Once the bear decides that you are not a threat, then they might leave you alone. On the other hand, it is now time to fight back if the bear continues to attack.

Admiring the view at Fishercap Lake

10) Recommended Items to Bring

What should I pack for a trip to Glacier National Park? What should I bring on the Fishercap Lake Trail in Glacier National Park?

1. Water bottle: Even though the Fishercap Lake Trail is fairly easy, I still recommend you bring a bottle of water. I recommend a reusable water bottle since they are more environmentally-friendly and provide insulation.

2. Bathing suit + travel towel: A bathing suit? Really? Well, you never know! You might want to go for a swim once you arrive at Fishercap Lake. Think about it. When is the next time you will have the chance to swim in a lake within Glacier National Park? If you do swim, prepare yourself for some cold water.

Hygiene

3. Sunscreen: If you have somewhat fair and sensitive skin like me, then you can get sunburn within 30 minutes. While the Fishercap Lake Trail is generally shaded, the lakeshore offers no protection from the sun.

4. Bug spray: Do not let the bugs ruin your experience at Fishercap Lake. I want you to focus on enjoying the view rather than swatting bugs away. Therefore, be sure to pack a can of bug spray or wear a mosquito repellent bracelet.

Hiking Items for the Fishercap Lake Trail

5. Bear spray: Glacier National Park, including the Fishercap Lake Trail, is in grizzly territory. Carrying a can of bear spray is one of the best methods to ensure your safety if you encounter a bear. The National Park Service even recommends it as the best method to deter a bear.

6. Hiking shoes: I will be honest with you. Hiking shoes can cost a pretty penny. However, they are worth the money (in my opinion). I own a pair of Merrell hiking shoes, and they helped keep me safe as I explored all around Glacier.

7. Hiking poles: These are not a necessity on this trail since it is pretty short as well as flat. However, they can still offer some much needed support if you have chronic knee problems.

Amflip Pop-Up Camping Tent set up in Glacier National Park

8. Binoculars: Binoculars can definitely come in handy if you want to view wildlife from a distance. We did not have any binoculars, so we had to ask others if they could see anything. We just stood there and squinted.

9. Optional – crampons: Crampons are essentially spikes that you can attach to the bottom of your shoes. You only need to pack crampons if there is snow or ice along the Fishercap Lake Trail when you hike. For example, there might be snow on the trail in June or early July. I recommend you research current trail conditions before you head out.

Camping Items

10. Amflip Pop-Up Camping Tent: I cannot recommend this tent enough. To be honest, I do not think I have ever set up a tent with poles. I am sure I would spend some time fighting with the poles before everything finally aligned. Nevertheless, I do not have to worry about messing with poles since I have a pop-up tent. It is simple enough that I can set it up within five minutes. Moreover, the tent kept me dry for multiple downpours over many days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

11. AmazonBasics Waterproof Camping Tarp: You can use a tarp in a couple of ways. First, you can lay it on the ground to act as another layer between the bottom of your tent and the ground. Second, you can tie it up in the trees to act as an umbrella for your tent.

12. Elegear Double Sleeping Pad: This sleeping pad does it all. First, it is large enough for two people. Second, it has a foot pump. You thus do not have to worry about packing an extra pump for your trip. Third, it has a built-in pillow at the top.

13. Sleepingo Double Sleeping Bag: To accompany the double sleeping pad, I recommend buying a double sleeping bag. It is large enough for two people, or you can even separate it out so that each person has their own sleeping bag. Additionally, it comes with two pillows.

Elegear Double Sleeping Pad set up in our tent

11) Nearby Attractions

One thing to note about the Fishercap Lake Trail (and all trails within Glacier National Park) is that they can be closed due to bear activity at any time. However, it is worth noting that Fishercap Lake Trail is not often closed due to bears. I am hoping that is the case for when you arrive.

Nevertheless, you should have a back-up plan if the trail does happen to be closed. Bears wander where they want, when they want. It is hard to determine when a trail will be closed and for how long, but my best advice is to talk to park rangers.

All of the below attractions are located in the Many Glacier area. They are thus within a short walk or drive of the Fishercap Lake Trailhead (aka Swiftcurrent Trailhead). You can even do one or more of the attractions listed below before or after your hike to Fishercap Lake.

I also have to give a shoutout to Nell’s Restaurant in Many Glacier. We had a delicious dish of mac n cheese with pulled chicken, fried onions, and barbecue sauce.

View of Iceberg Lake from the trail

Additional Many Glacier Attractions

First, the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail is a 2.6 mile (~4.2 kilometer) trail with 130 feet (~40 meters) in elevation gain. An average hiker can complete the trail in 50 minutes, and it is an easy trail. The trail winds through a forest before reaching and then looping around Swiftcurrent Lake. Additionally, it runs right past the Many Glacier Lodge where you can buy a souvenir or grab something to eat. This is a great trail if you are looking for another short and easy hike in Glacier.

Second, the Iceberg Lake Trail is a 9.6 mile (~15.4 kilometer) trail with 1,460 feet (445 meters) in elevation gain. An average hiker can complete the trail in four hours and 15 minutes, and it is a moderate trail. The trail winds through a canyon as well as a forest before reaching the shore of Iceberg Lake. This was one of our favorite trails in Glacier due to the views at the end. The lake is a beautiful blue color and there is a large mountain looming behind the lake. It is hard to describe in words – I guess you are going to have to hike it for yourself!

Third, the Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail shares the same route as the Iceberg Lake Trail until it bears right at the 2.6 mile (~4.2 kilometer) marker. It is a 10.6 mile (~17 kilometer) trail with 2,360 feet (~720 meters) in elevation gain. An average hiker can hike it in five and a half hours, and it is a challenging route. A hiker we met along the Iceberg Trail told us that they had hiked Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail in the past. However, they said it was more difficult than Iceberg yet did not have as nice of a view.

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After your time in Glacier, head west to North Cascades: Day Trip from Seattle to North Cascades National Park.

Need some more convincing to plan a visit?: Reasons to Visit North Cascades National Park.

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National Parks, Road Trip, U.S.A