Montana (Copy) — Artistry&Aprons

MONTANA

Montana has become a place very near and dear to my heart. I visited for the first time in 2024 and completely fell in love with it, the scale of the mountains, the quiet, the endless wilderness, and the feeling that life somehow slows down out there. It’s one of the few places that has ever made me feel both incredibly small and incredibly alive at the same time.

When I returned in 2025, it felt even more special because I got to share it with my best friend on her very first backcountry backpacking trip. Together, we took on the legendary North Circle Loop through Glacier National Park, spending days crossing alpine passes, camping beneath endless mountain ranges, and learning what it means to truly disconnect from the world for a little while. There’s something incredibly meaningful about getting to experience a place you love through someone else’s eyes for the first time, especially somewhere as wild and unforgettable as Montana.

  The North Circle Loop

  Day 1 | Many Glacier to Elizabeth Lake Foot (ELF)Distance: roughly 12 to 14 miles
Elevation Gain: approximately 2,300 to 3,000 feet
Elevation Loss: approximately 2,500 feet
Highest Elevation: around 7,200 feet near Ptarmigan Tunnel

        Notes
        Day one felt like stepping straight into the adventure we had spent months dreaming about. The climb toward Ptarmigan Tunnel was long but stunning the entire way, with alpine lakes, waterfalls, mountain goats, and endless views constantly distracting us from how heavy our packs actually were. By the time we descended into the Belly River Valley and reached camp at Elizabeth Lake Foot, we were exhausted, dusty, and already fully invested in trail life. Rice Krispie Treats quickly emerged as the undisputed MVP snack of the trip.
      


  Day 2 | Elizabeth Lake Foot (ELF) to Stoney Indian Lake (STO)Distance: roughly 15 to 16 miles
Elevation Gain: approximately 3,000 to 3,500 feet
Elevation Loss: approximately 1,500 to 2,000 feet
Highest Elevation: around 6,800 feet near Stoney Indian Pass

        Notes
        Day two humbled us almost immediately. The deeper we pushed into the northern wilderness, the more remote everything felt. Signage became sparse, the passes seemed endless, and every ridge tricked us into thinking we had finally reached the top. Somewhere along the way we spotted our first black bear across a river, dealt with blisters thanks to Dr. E’s trail side care, and briefly regained morale after learning Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce had gotten engaged. We finally stumbled into Stoney Indian just before nightfall completely exhausted but feeling like we had truly earned our place out there.
      


  Day 3 | Stoney Indian Lake (STO) to Fifty Mountain (FIF)Distance: roughly 7.5 to 8.5 miles
Elevation Gain: approximately 1,700 feet
Elevation Loss: approximately 2,300 feet
Highest Elevation: around 6,800 feet at Stoney Indian Pass

        Notes
        Crossing Stoney Indian Pass into Fifty Mountain felt like walking through the most dramatic version of Glacier imaginable. Waterfalls poured down every mountainside while endless peaks stretched out in every direction. Compared to the previous day, the mileage felt mercifully shorter, giving us time to actually slow down and appreciate where we were. Arriving at Fifty Mountain felt surreal, a sprawling alpine meadow tucked high above the valleys below and one of the most beautiful campsites I have ever experienced.
      


  Day 4 | Fifty Mountain (FIF) to Granite Park Chalet (GRT)Distance: roughly 9 to 10 miles including the Elizabeth Lake overlook side trail
Elevation Gain: approximately 2,000 to 2,400 feet
Elevation Loss: approximately 1,800 feet
Highest Elevation: around 7,000 feet near the Ptarmigan Pass overlook and Highline area

        Notes
        Day four somehow managed to be both peaceful and completely chaotic. We spent the morning weaving along ridgelines beneath dramatic skies, snacking on huckleberries until our hands turned purple and stopping constantly for marmot sightings and views over Elizabeth Lake. Then came the grizzly bear. What started as an exciting wildlife sighting eventually spiraled into a foggy evening filled with ranger escorts, mama bear warnings, emergency chalet bookings, and one very emotional speed run packing up camp in Tevas and socks. By the end of the night, completely drained and locked out of our chalet room in dense fog, all we could do was laugh.
      


  Day 5 | Granite Park Chalet (GRT) to Many Glacier HotelDistance: roughly 7.5 to 8 miles
Elevation Gain: approximately 500 to 800 feet
Elevation Loss: approximately 3,500 to 4,000 feet
Highest Elevation: around 7,200 feet at Swiftcurrent Pass

        Notes
        The final day back to Many Glacier felt bittersweet from the very beginning. After nearly a week immersed in the wilderness, civilization slowly started creeping back in through forest switchbacks, distant lodge chatter, and the sight of cars far below in the valley. Our legs were completely shot, our packs somehow still felt heavy, and none of us were emotionally ready for the trip to end. Finishing the North Circle Loop brought the strange mix of exhaustion, pride, and sadness that only comes after an adventure you already know will stay with you forever.
      

DOWNLOAD TRIP ITINERARY

PACKING LIST

DOWNLOAD TRIP ITINERARY

PACKING LIST

  3 Days, 2 Nights on the CDT to Logan Pass

  Day 1 | St. Mary to Red Eagle Lake Head (REH)Distance: roughly 14 to 16 miles
Elevation Gain: approximately 1,800 to 2,200 feet
Elevation Loss: approximately 800 to 1,000 feet
Highest Elevation: around 5,600 feet

        Notes
        Shortly after lunch, while hiking through sprawling alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers, the landscape abruptly shifted into one of the most hauntingly beautiful areas of the park. We entered terrain heavily impacted by the 2010 Red Eagle Fire, where dead trees stretched endlessly across the mountainsides in every direction. The devastation was impossible to ignore, but so was the resilience. Bright green regrowth pushed through the burn scar everywhere we looked, creating a strange and beautiful reminder of how the park continues to recover and rebuild itself over time.
      


  Day 2 | Red Eagle Lake Head (REH) to Atlantic Creek (ATL)Distance: roughly 13 to 15 miles
Elevation Gain: approximately 2,800 to 3,500 feet
Elevation Loss: approximately 2,000 to 2,500 feet
Highest Elevation: around 7,600 feet at Pitamakan Pass

        Notes
        The morning began back in the burned forest, where miles of dead trees and exposed terrain made for a mentally exhausting start to the day. Morale was low for a while, but eventually the trail transitioned into dense forest and the energy slowly returned. Somewhere along the way we encountered a massive bull moose that appeared to be stalking a solo hiker ahead of us before we accidentally scared it off while approaching. The real challenge of the day came later at Pitamakan Pass, where lingering snowfields still covered sections of trail. Carefully crossing the steep unmelted snow while surrounded by massive alpine views made for one of the most exhilarating stretches of the trip.
      


  Day 3 | Atlantic Creek (ATL) to Two MedicineDistance: roughly 7 to 9 miles
Elevation Gain: approximately 800 to 1,000 feet
Elevation Loss: approximately 2,000 to 2,500 feet
Highest Elevation: around 6,200 feet

        Notes
        After several days immersed in the backcountry, arriving into Two Medicine felt like slowly reentering civilization. The final miles carried us through sweeping mountain views and quieter forest before eventually reaching camp for one last night beneath the peaks. Exhausted, dirty, and completely content, it felt like the perfect ending to one of the most rewarding backpacking trips we had taken through Glacier.
      

Montana Prints

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Flower Meadow | Glacier NP 2025

from $40.00

All prints are professionally printed on high quality photo paper with a matte finish, designed to provide rich color, sharp detail, and long lasting quality for years to come.

Please note that pricing does not include matting or framing. Prints arrive unframed, allowing you to customize the final presentation to best suit your space and style.

Please allow approximately 2 to 3 weeks for printing, processing, and delivery.

Size:

Fog on the Mountains | Glacier NP 2025

from $40.00

All prints are professionally printed on high quality photo paper with a matte finish, designed to provide rich color, sharp detail, and long lasting quality for years to come.

Please note that pricing does not include matting or framing. Prints arrive unframed, allowing you to customize the final presentation to best suit your space and style.

Please allow approximately 2 to 3 weeks for printing, processing, and delivery.

Size:

Shooting Star | Glacier NP2024

from $40.00

All prints are professionally printed on high quality photo paper with a matte finish, designed to provide rich color, sharp detail, and long lasting quality for years to come.

Please note that pricing does not include matting or framing. Prints arrive unframed, allowing you to customize the final presentation to best suit your space and style.

Please allow approximately 2 to 3 weeks for printing, processing, and delivery.

Size:

The North Circle Loop | Glacier NP 2025

from $40.00

All prints are professionally printed on high quality photo paper with a matte finish, designed to provide rich color, sharp detail, and long lasting quality for years to come.

Please note that pricing does not include matting or framing. Prints arrive unframed, allowing you to customize the final presentation to best suit your space and style.

Please allow approximately 2 to 3 weeks for printing, processing, and delivery.

Size:

King Grizzly | Glacier NP 2025

from $40.00

All prints are professionally printed on high quality photo paper with a matte finish, designed to provide rich color, sharp detail, and long lasting quality for years to come.

Please note that pricing does not include matting or framing. Prints arrive unframed, allowing you to customize the final presentation to best suit your space and style.

Please allow approximately 2 to 3 weeks for printing, processing, and delivery.

Size:

Bear On the Mountain | Glacier NP 2025

from $40.00

All prints are professionally printed on high quality photo paper with a matte finish, designed to provide rich color, sharp detail, and long lasting quality for years to come.

Please note that pricing does not include matting or framing. Prints arrive unframed, allowing you to customize the final presentation to best suit your space and style.

Please allow approximately 2 to 3 weeks for printing, processing, and delivery.

Size: