Sun Point, and Three Falls Trail - located right along Going To The Sun Road in Glacier National Park. I was a fan of this stop and hike that here I am writing about it to let everyone know I believe they should take some time to explore this area....if for only briefly though. It didn't take me long to navigate around. I'll explain why......
Sun Point, more specifically sits just past Jackson Glacier Overlook and Sunrift Gorge when heading east from Logan Pass. If you've arrived at Wild Goose Island, you've gone too far. But this....the Sun Point stop....has signs for it on the road and pretty much can't be missed. When I visited Glacier back in the peak travel season of August, I was surprised that this area was quite deserted. No cars were parked in the lot....I had the place to myself....at least that's what it seemed.
Yeah....there are plenty of more beautiful attractions in Glacier to visit....I guess since I afforded myself plenty of exploring time, I had researched that Sun Point was a recommended stop.
Though...I understand why this section was quiet. Because....the Three Falls Trail that starts here - allows for access to 3 different waterfalls. But...for 2 of the waterfalls along this trail - St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls.....they can be more easily accessed through the St. Mary Falls Trailhead further down the road continuing east.
So I get why Sun Point was empty. Yet....the other hikeable waterfall here - Baring Falls - had a real easy pathway from this - Sun Point and the Three Falls Trail. For me, I absolutely hiked to Baring Falls, simply, and I really enjoyed the surroundings when I arrived.
So...getting out of my car at the parking lot....there was a sign saying Sun Point - 0.1 mile....but, I couldn't figure out exactly what the attraction was. What that meant? It could have been an overlook or panorama because this area was nestled around a lake with beautiful views of the majestic Glacier landscape in the distance. For all purposes....I'd say Sun Point was just a scenic vista spot along Three Falls Trail.
From the Three Falls Trailhead - Baring Falls was easy to traverse to. It was only 0.6 mile - one way. Also from the trailhead, St. Mary Falls was 2.2 miles - one way. And Virginia Falls - even further away.
So....doing the math, lol.....from Three Falls Trailhead here at Sun Point.....if you wanted to hike to all 3 waterfalls I just mentioned....it would be at least a 6 mile round trip hike.
Hmmm....maybe that's why tourists were accessing the St. Mary Falls Trailhead instead....a much shorter trek to St. Mary and Virginia Falls - which I must mention are an ABSOLUTE MUST - some of the prettiest waterfalls in Glacier....at least for me, hehehe.
Wrapping up. I walked the 0.6 mile path to Baring Falls. And....Baring Falls did not disappoint! It was a real scenic, picturesque and tranquil waterfall set among a little hidden, rocky portion of the trail. I was pleasantly surprised.
Also, since I stopped by this Sun Point section in late morning and had the light from the sun reflecting against my back, it afforded me some pretty nice photo opportunities.
At this Baring Falls, I casually sat down on a couple of rocks, appreciated the views and soaked up the backdrop. It humbled me and at the same time motivated my curiosity to keep exploring the wondrous setting of Glacier NP.
And instead of continuing along the path....I turned around and headed back to the trailhead and the Sun Point parking lot.
For those who are interested. I wrote a very specific review about the other 2 waterfalls (St. Mary and Virginia Falls) under the research topic -St. Mary Falls Trailhead - here at Glacier.
Although I only hiked to Baring Falls....it was still a worthwhile walk and I'm glad I had the chance to discover what this Sun Point area of Glacier was all about. read more