Hike Firebrand Pass for aspen parklands and mountain views
9.5 hours
Hike through aspen parklands below the Continental Divide on a full-day guided outing that reaches open views of surrounding valleys and mountains. Move at a steady pace as your guide interprets the ecosystem and you scan for wildlife along the way.
Shoulder season turnaround points may vary due to weather and conditions. Non-US residents age 16+ must pay an additional $100 per person unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. Gratuity is not included unless added at checkout.
Full refund if you cancel 7 days prior to the program.
Buy a Glacier National Park Entrance Pass before the hike. You do not need a separate Vehicle Reservation—your participation in the Glacier Institute hike acts as your Vehicle Reservation.
Plan for park entrance fees. If you are a non-US resident age 16 or older, you must pay an additional $100 per person unless you are admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. Gratuity is not included unless you added it at checkout.
Bring a trail lunch (unless you added a Glacier Institute-provided lunch at checkout), plenty of water and snacks, lightweight hiking boots or sturdy hiking shoes, a day pack (with a liner or cover), and rain gear. Pack sun protection and insect repellant, and bring warm layers since conditions can change quickly.
Glacier Institute - 7450 Highway 2 East Columbia Falls, MT 59912 US
Travelers rave about the knowledgeable guides who make every tour exceptional. Names like Megan, Carrie, Wyatt, Anna, and Mark come up repeatedly, with guests praising their deep understanding of the park's geology, wildlife, and flora. The guides strike that perfect balance of being educational without feeling like a lecture, and they're skilled at adapting to different group needs, whether that means hiking at a slower pace or rerouting due to weather closures. The packed lunch option gets consistent praise for being surprisingly good, complete with homemade trail mix. The Going-to-the-Sun Road tours are hugely popular, offering a stress-free way to experience the iconic drive without navigating it yourself. A major perk is the exclusive parking access at popular trailheads, which means less hassle during peak season. Guests appreciate the professional operation, from helpful office staff to the way they handle unexpected situations (one review mentions how quickly the team solved a seating mix-up). The experience consistently delivers stunning scenery, wildlife sightings including bighorn sheep and bears, and that deeper connection to the park that comes from learning its stories. First-time visitors and longtime park lovers alike find value in these educational adventures.
I visited Glacier National Park in September of 2024. I had never been and was not familiar with the layout of the park. My sister had suggested doing a guided hike. Glacier Institute was better than I could have expected, as I had never participated in a guided hike excursion. Due to flight delays, I arrived in MT super late and called to reschedule or refund. They were so accommodating due to my travel issues and were able to put me on the following day. I did the Highline Trail Educational Day Hike. My tour guide was Clara, and she was very nice. Our group was smaller, which was nice to keep up the pace. It was cloudy for most of the day and rained some, but it was overall an amazing experience. The website said the time would be 8:00am - 4:00pm. We ended early, which I was okay with, so I could explore other parts of the park. I would recommend Glacier Institute and do another hike with them in the future!
Melea Butler
February 10, 2026
I visited Glacier National Park in September of 2024. I had never been and was not familiar with the layout of the park. My sister had suggested doing a guided hike. Glacier Institute was better than I could have expected, as I had never participated in a guided hike excursion. Due to flight delays, I arrived in MT super late and called to reschedule or refund. They were so accommodating due to my travel issues and were able to put me on the following day. I did the Highline Trail Educational Day Hike. My tour guide was Clara, and she was very nice. Our group was smaller, which was nice to keep up the pace. It was cloudy for most of the day and rained some, but it was overall an amazing experience. The website said the time would be 8:00am - 4:00pm. We ended early, which I was okay with, so I could explore other parts of the park. I would recommend Glacier Institute and do another hike with them in the future!
Melea Butler
February 10, 2026