My wife and I are reasonably fit, slightly overweight, middle-aged hikers who cherish our adventures in the great outdoors – and our visit to Glacier National Park in Montana was a highlight in our hiking history.
Knowing we were in for a memorable mountain trek, we decided to shoot a video account of our journey on the trail to Sperry Chalet. (See video above.)
The trail to Sperry Chalet rises 3,360 feet over slightly more than six miles from the Sperry Trailhead, located across the road from the Lake McDonald Lodge.
The guidebooks call this hike “strenuous” – but, despite the July heat, the bugs, and the challenging elevation, we call it doable: provided you take your time, bring plenty of water, and start off early in the morning to beat the heat.
Sperry Trail hikers will be rewarded for their climb to the chalet by fast-flowing mountain streams, a variety of dramatic waterfalls, magnificent trees, verdant foliage, carpets of wildflowers and air that’s as fresh as it gets.
When you reach your destination, Sperry Chalet does not disappoint. It was originally built by the Great Northern Railway in 1913, and is now listed as a Historic Landmark.
Many visitors to the chalet push on the nearby Sperry Glacier – but we opted to hang out at the chalet, enjoy the homey dining room, and take in the dramatic views.
The Sperry Trail was built in 1902 and 1903 by college boys from Minnesota, and was likely the first organized trail-building effort in the park. These two reasonably fit, slightly overweight middle-aged hikers wish to thank those industrious, visionary college boys.
Onward and upward!
Paul's Voyage of Discovery & Etc. 
This was glorious! Lynna, Jim and I visited Glacier Park about eight(?) years ago, but I must confess we did not hike the trail. But what fun (from my armchair!) to do it vicariously with you! And how flattering that they named that gorgeous creek for our family! (Don’t argue; they absolutely did.) You proved yourselves to be intrepid hikers and wonderful travel videographers. Fare forward, voyagers!–Diana
Hi, Diana! What I forgot to say is that Snyder Creek flows into the Bosso Basin. 🙂
Oh, if only! And I forgot to say that after seeing the frothy rush of water in Snyder Creek, I’m sure it was named in honor of our exuberant personalities! (Or maybe just our tendency to babble over other people?)
Sorry–that was me!
This video is inspiring to other reasonably fit, slightly overweight, middle aged hikers. My husband and I are going to Glacier in July. I consider this video good trip prep. Lol