Glacier is repeatedly described as a hiker’s paradise with a rugged beauty all its own. More than 200,000 hikers explore its trails each year, enjoying what Backpacker Magazine has described as one of the nation’s top hiking experiences. Whether enjoying a 30 minute stroll along McDonald Creek or a multi-day backpack trip deep in the wilderness, visitors tap into the restorative energy of the surroundings.

Wear and tear - courtesy of both Mother Nature and mankind - has taken a heavy toll on Glacier’s system of trails. Record snowfalls, avalanches, floods and forest fires wreak havoc on trails, as do the footfalls of millions of visitors. In spite of the dedication to regular trail maintenance, the park staff has been unable to keep pace with rampant erosion because of irregular funding. If deteriorating trails cannot be repaired, safety concerns prompt their closure - an insidious trend that undermines the public’s ability to access all areas of the park. Of the 1000 miles of trails 20 years ago, only a little more than 700 miles remain open today.

“Glacier’s trails are among its greatest assets,” says Mark Foust, Glacier Chief Ranger “so we want to do everything possible to ensure that our visitors have a safe, enjoyable experience while hiking.” Much work needs to be done on an on-going basis to meet this goal. Both immediate repairs and long-term preservation efforts are necessary, including clearing trails of heavy brush, repairing broken walkways, rehabilitating erosion and fire damaged areas, and in some cases, rerouting or rebuilding entire segments. When we talk about keeping trails open, we means all trails – front-country trails, back-country trails, bridges and walkways along with increasing the number of accessible trails in Glacier for all to enjoy.

People from around the world are drawn to the over 700 miles of trails for different reasons and for the same reasons - enjoyment, rejuvenation and balance. From short to long trails, they all exert and equally compelling tug on our souls. This vast trail experience will only continue through a private/public partnership. To this end, the Glacier National Park Fund is committed to raising a $1,000,000 endowment for this purpose.