St. Mary’s Glacier Trail is Amazing
St. Mary’s Glacier has an easy to moderate hike that will offer views that are up there with some of the best alpine spots in the world. It’s a fairly easy trail (1.5 hr round trip) but it will require some climbing through boulders. The elevation gain is approximately 350 ft.
As you can see by these photo’s, St. Mary’s Glacier Trail is a very popular hike that will lead you to some of the most breathtaking scenery around!
From the parking lot you will hike about ½ mile up a gentle slope. This trail is heavily used and it is rugged because it follows a boulder field. You will wind your way in and around these rocks for about 20 minutes until you reach the glacial lake and the ice field itself (St. Mary’s glacier is actually not a glacier, but an ice field).
Spectacular views! The trail ends here, but there are many little trails that will take you around the water, and/or up to the snow itself. You could easily spend a weekend exploring, and really delve into the nooks and crannies.
Plan to take your camera, your picnic and maybe even a sled if you are daring enough to try out the snow. Also plan to spend a good 30 minutes wandering around the area just enjoying the valley, the water, and the beauty.
Picnic Site Recommendations:
Take your lunch and eat at the lake. There are many places to spread your meal and enjoy the crisp cool air.
Note: There is now ample parking, with two parking lots close to the trail head. Porta potties are there as well as dog waste bag dispenser, trash & recycle cans, and the only year round maintained legal parking for the area.
DON’T PARK ON THE ROAD! You will get a $62.50 ticket so $5 parking is worth it! The charge is $5 per vehicle, per day. No change given and no ATm’s. Cash and checks only (they no longer accept credit cards).
Directions
From the Junction of C-470 and I-70, take I-70 west about 25 miles past Idaho Springs to Exit #238 (Fall River Rd. or Rd 275). Follow Fall River Rd. for approximately 9 miles until you see the trail to St Mary’s Glacier on your left. The parking area is past the trailhead on the left. You will see cars parked in a big open, dirt lot.
Attractions
Idaho Springs has a lot of little coffee shops (including drive-thru Starbucks) and cafe’s to eat at. One of our favorites is Beau Joe’s Pizza. (1517 Miner Street). There is also the famous Tommyknocker Brewery (famous beer, soda, and food are served in the Resturant, Pub & Brewery 1401 Miner St.) We also recommend the Georgetown Valley Candy Company ice cream shop.
Thehumps3 says
July 31, 2010 at 8:38 pm7/31/10 I hike this trail with my family this morning. We arrived at around 9:30 and there were very few people hiking at that time. The trail is pretty rocky and sandy and I slipped a couple of times. I would suggest a hiking stick or poles (especially if you are hiking up the “glacier”). The trail itself to the lake is very short and once at the lake, the glacier trail is directly opposite. I sat on a boulder taking pictures & enjoying the views while my son and husband hiked up and down the glacier. The views are to die for!
Thanks so much for you site. Lots of great info that I regularly use.
Mary Norton says
August 2, 2010 at 9:42 amSo glad you left your comments! St Mary’s Glacier Hike IS very special and very beautiful especially early in the day when there is nobody around! Thanks again and Happy Hiking!
ian myers says
March 16, 2011 at 9:09 amMy girlfriend and I live in Aurora and would love to hike this. Is it open to hike in March?
Mary Norton says
March 16, 2011 at 10:33 pmIt is open in March, but it will still be covered in snow making it a tough climb unless you are experienced winter hikers with the appropriate gear. We would usually wait until late May to hike this one with our family. It’s a beautiful hike, good luck!
Carl says
March 5, 2012 at 7:22 amJust a little tip to all who aren’t familiar with the parking situation : the parking lots are $5 cash or check and there isn’t an ATM or a place to make change anywhere near them. Stop at Idaho Springs and grab some cash. I learned the hard way 🙁
Mom2818 says
April 26, 2012 at 7:11 pmThis is one of my favorite hikes, it is so beautiful.Â
Sarah says
August 9, 2012 at 1:41 amI have a one-year-old. Would you recommend hiking this trail with her in a backpack carrier?
marynorton says
August 9, 2012 at 6:51 amYes. It’s not a difficult hike; not too steep and not very long either.
-Mary
Josh says
August 16, 2012 at 2:50 pmis there still snow????
marynorton says
August 16, 2012 at 5:59 pmYes. I’ve seen recent pictures with the snow field intact.
-Mary
Ann says
August 20, 2012 at 5:00 pmI don’t understand how everyone says this is an “easy” hike. It’s uphill the entire way at 10,000 feet, very rocky and the rocks get slippery as you get closer to the glacier. I think of an easy hike as one you could take your grandma on, such as Fowler Trail in El Dorado Canyon. This may be short but it is more of a moderate hike.
Debra Krueger Kubiak says
March 12, 2013 at 9:38 amHas anyone been up this week? Hoping to do this trail with our cub scouts and wondering if we should wait until May.
Debra Krueger Kubiak says
March 12, 2013 at 9:40 amHi Mary – Your hiking descriptions are great and I use them often as our Pack Hikemiester for Cub Scouts. Any thoughts on St. Mary’s Glacier Trail and if it is a good choice to bring our boys to this Saturday?
marynorton says
March 12, 2013 at 11:23 amHi! We haven’t been up there this week but I’m assuming there’s a lot of snow on the trail. Go check out fourteeners.com. They have a very active forum and you may get an answer from those die-hard hikers who go in all types of weather. Someone there probably knows what the trail is like. Good luck!
-Mary
dennis says
July 3, 2013 at 7:22 pmI would like to bring m girls. They are 5 and 6. Tough and walked/hiked 3 miles round trup with me before. I wonder if i can bring them here.
Marynorton says
July 4, 2013 at 11:02 amIf they can hike 3 mi round trip, they should do just fine at St Mary’s trail!
sfelt says
August 27, 2013 at 2:58 amI hiked this one on Sunday Aug 25, 2013 and it was awesome. I just need to know what the total elevation gain is to the top. Not the lake, the top of the mountain past the snow fields looking out at the mountains of the West about an hour or so past the snow fields. Anyone know what the elevation is up there?
lula says
November 17, 2013 at 3:22 pmhow cold do you think it is in this season?
Candi says
March 11, 2014 at 10:01 pmCan you camp there?