Difficulty: Medium
Trailhead: Sperry Trailhead
Distance: 9.5 miles
Vertical Gain: 2,000’
When a slow start to winter occurs, this basin is a great place to get some astounding vistas in the National Park without a lot of gear. With some shoe spikes or snowshoes, this is a great hike! The starting point is at Sperry Trailhead near Lake McDonald Lodge. Follow the trail (steeper sections at the start!) for about 1.75 miles until you get to the second left turn on the trail, which is just past the Mount Brown Trail. There are great views of Lake McDonald along the beginning sections of the trail. While the trail does go uphill the entire way to the basin, it is more subtle and obtainable after you make it past the first mile.
“The marks of fire blanketed by the cold of snow and frost nip- a little darkness with the light.”
Once you turn onto the Snyder Basin Trail section, the views open up due to lack of trails from a wildfire offering beautiful vistas. There are many points to stop and take in the dramatic rock formations, blue ice waterfalls, and animal tracks winding on and off the trail. You know you’re getting close when you start to see the back of the basin, essentially a giant rock wall in all directions. An easy bridge crossing at the foot of the lower lake will take you into the backcountry campground and to a great resting spot along the shore, or on the lake in our case since it was frozen!
The trail back is perfect downhill to keep up a fast speed as you climb back down to Lake McDonald, enjoying a different perspective on the way back.