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 '°'" ' SOME LAKES OF 
 GLACIER NATIONAL PARK 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
 1912 
 
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 Tliis publication may be purchased from the Superintendent of 
 Documents, Government Printing Office, Wasliington, D. C, for 
 10 cents. 
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 SOME LAKES OF GLACIER NATIONAL PARK. 
 
 By Morton J. Elrod, University of Montana, 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 During the summers of 1009. 1010. and 1011 I spent considerable 
 time in the study of the L^kes of the Glacier Park. The object was 
 to make observations in regard to their depth, and, in the case of 
 those lakes which do not now contain fish, to make a study of the 
 microscopic life as a source of fish food, and, in addition, to make 
 soundings to determine the depth of the water, so as to arrive at a 
 fairly satisfactory conclusion of those lakes as producers of fish. 
 
 Most of the larger lakes are connected with rivers through creeks 
 which have no high falls, and which consequently admit fish from 
 the rivers to the lakes. Many of the lakes are small. Some, how- 
 ever, are of considerable size and appear to be capable of supplying 
 food for large numbers of fish. 
 
 The method of taking soundings was as follows: An ordinary 
 plumber's bob of lead or iron w^as used, with several hundred feet of 
 heavy cord of the kind ordinarily used for trolling. This cord was 
 passed through a piece of apparatus such as is used for measuring 
 wire in installing telephones and telegraphs. All that was neces- 
 sary was to adjust the apparatus on the edge of the boat and let the 
 cord run out until the bottom was struck, then read the depth on the 
 dial. The method of securing depth by this process is quite accu- 
 rate if the water is still, and there is no question whatever about 
 determining when the lead strikes the bottom of a lake. 
 
 The life of the lakes was determined by using a surface net made 
 of Xo. 20 silk bolting cloth of the finest mesh procurable, such as is 
 used in flour mills. Attached to this was a little brass bucket with 
 little windows, which were covered with the same kind of silk cloth. 
 The water was screened through the net and tiie specimens collected 
 in the little bucket at the end, the whole thing being shaped like a 
 funnel. The bucket is detachable, by this means making it p)OSsible 
 to collect the life from a large quantity of water into a small space 
 and preserve it for future study. A wooden plug was inserted in a 
 small hole in the bottom of the bucket, and on removal of this the 
 
 3 
 
SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 
 
 contents were easily transferred into a small vial or glass bottle. 
 This net was dragged behind the boat for an indefinite distance at 
 various places in the different lakes, and the contents in each case 
 preserved and properly labeled. A second net consisted of a rec- 
 tangular iron frame, with a silk cloth of larger mesh, intended to 
 collect larger material, both from the surface and from the bottom. 
 The mesh is sufficiently large to allow the passage through it of mud 
 and the small specimens, and was intended only for the collection 
 of the larger forms of life. By means of a rope this w\as allowed to 
 drop to the bottom, if the lake was not too deep, or along the surface, 
 or at a depth from the surface, as desired. This material also was 
 collected and preserved for future study. 
 
 Lake IMcDonald. 
 Photograph copyrighted by Kisor Photo. Co. for Great Northern Railway. 
 
 INIost of the field work was done from a canvas boat, carried from 
 place to place on a pack horse, as no other form of boat could be so 
 transported ; in some places wooded boats were available. 
 
 Owing to the large number of lakes in the park and of the diffi- 
 culty of reaching so many in the short space of time that could be 
 given, there are still many left to be studied. Some of these are 
 easily accessible to the tourist and are doubtless capable of supplying 
 food to an abundance of fish life. The park will be much more in- 
 teresting if most of these lakes are stocked Avith fish; but to do so 
 will require some knowledge of their depth, the quantity of life the 
 water contains, and general information as to their surroundings, 
 accessibility, insect life, and the like. 
 
SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 5 
 
 LAKE McDonald. 
 
 Lake McDonald (altitude 3,1J:J: feet), near Belton, is the lake seen 
 by tlie greatest number of tourists at the present time. The lower end 
 of this lake is about 2^ miles from Belton. on the Great Northern 
 Railroad, from ^Yhich place an excellent road has been constructed. 
 Launches make regular trips on this lake and roAvboats can be hired. 
 
 This lake is 0^ miles in length and has a width of about a mile. 
 Until recentl}' it has been considered bottomless, but a series of sound- 
 ings made across the lake, opposite Glacier Hotel at the upper end, 
 gave the following results: 
 
 DcptJis in Laic McDoiiald. 
 
 Pept. 
 
 About 300 yards offshore 271 
 
 About third way across 383 
 
 Halfway across 30S 
 
 Three-fourths distance across 3S7 
 
 300 yards from w^est shore 260 
 
 Deep hole repoi'tecl at upper end midway between the high mountains 359 
 
 AvAi.A.\( in: Lake. 
 riiotojiraph copyrif^litod l)y Kisor Photo. Co. for Groat Xortliorn Railway. 
 
 AVALANCHE LAKE. 
 
 This lake (altitude, 3,8G5 feet) lies in xVvalanche Basin, at the foot 
 of tremendous cliffs, over Avhich come the waters formed b}^ the melt- 
 ing of the snoAV and ice of Sperry Glacier, It is hemmed in on all 
 sides, except at the outlet, by high mountains. The forests come 
 down to the water's edge. At the upper end of the lake is an oj^en 
 space of a mile or so, kept free from timber, apparently, by avalanches 
 falling from the heights above. At this end there is an area that is 
 comparatively level and open. Stretches of dense brush extend to 
 the foot of the cliff and part of the way up the sides, Avherever footing 
 
6 
 
 SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 
 
 is afforded. The lake is fed almost entirely from the streams of the 
 glacier above. Its outlet is into McDonald Creek. This creek runs 
 through a beautiful gorge a greater portion of the way, making one 
 of the most beautiful Avalks in the entire park. 
 
 The lake is elliptical, about a mile long and half as wide. It has 
 a pebbly shore and is a favorite place for anglers. It is apparently 
 full of fish, notwithstanding the fact that it is fished to a greater 
 extent, perhaps, than any other lake of its size in the park. It is a 
 favorite place for tourists and is about 9 miles by trail from Lake 
 McDonald. At the upper end is a beautiful camp site. 
 
 The depth at the lower end, as taken xYugust 4, 1910, was but 4 
 feet. About halfway up the lake the depth was 54 feet; at two- 
 
 AvALANCHE Lake. 
 Photosrapli copyi-ighted by Riser Photo. Co. for Great Northern Railway. 
 
 thirds distance from the loAver end, GS feet ; and at the upper end 
 near the shore, 58 feet. The temperature of the water at 3 p. m. on 
 this date was 57° F. The temperature of the air was 70° F. 
 
 As will be seen from the.se figures, the lake is deepest at its upper 
 end. The outlet has been closed by a log jam for many years, as 
 shown by the condition of the logs forming the dam. 
 
 At the present time fish ascend the streams above the lake to the 
 foot of the high falls. The microscopic life in the lake is abundant, 
 notwithstanding the fact that the lake is apparently well stocked 
 with fish. The brush and woods adjacent fiuMiish an abundance of 
 insects durino- the summer months. There are large numbers of in- 
 
SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PAKK, 7 
 
 sects whose larvse are aquatic, furnishing food in this manner, and 
 the adult in the deposition of their eggs on the water are captured 
 by the fish, or taken as they fall upon the surface. 
 
 Avalanche Lake is typical in size and location of many other 
 lakes in the park that are without fish. Since they do so well in this 
 lake, there can be no doubt but they w^ould do fully as well in some 
 of the other lakes that have never been examined. If plans are made 
 for stocking the lakes, it would be well to consider the question of 
 planting more fish in this body of water. The young fish would 
 have plenty of opportunity to hide, have an abundance of micro- 
 scopic food, and have an outlet to the larger streams in the park when 
 
 they reach adult size. 
 
 BOWMAN LAKE. 
 
 Bowman Lake receives the waters from the high mountains on 
 either side of Brown Pass on the Pacific slope. From the Continental 
 Divide to the upper end of the lake the distance by trail is about 8 
 miles, through scenery that is wonderfully captivating. The trail 
 follows the lake for its entire length of about r4 miles. Its width is 
 a half mile or less, narrower next the mountains, wnder at the lower 
 end. The elevation of the lake above the sea is 4.020 feet. It is a 
 famous fishing resort, easily accessible, with a fairly good shore line, 
 and open at the lower end. It drains into the Flathead River through 
 Bowman Creek. There is a wagon road leading from the lower end of 
 the lake to Flathead Piver, along which there is a wagon road ex- 
 tending from Belton to the Kintla Lake region. At the lower end 
 of the lake are big meadows, supplying abundance of food for horses 
 and affording a well-known camping site. 
 
 The one sounding made in this lake, at a point about half a mile 
 above the lower end, gave a depth of 90 feet. The temperature of 
 the water at 5 p. m. on August 19, 1910, was 59.5° F. Collections 
 made with net and dredge showed that the lake is well supplied with 
 fish food. 
 
 WATERTON LAKE. 
 
 AVaterton Lake is at the northern end of the park, half in the 
 Ignited States and half in Canada. This lake has been given differ- 
 ent names. On the first maps of the district it is called Chief Moun- 
 tain Lake; on some of the later maps it is called Kootenai Lake, 
 which is also the name given by some of the residents. 
 
 This lake is easily approachable by road from the Canadian end. 
 From Lake McDonald it is reached by trail, the distance being about 
 r>3 miles. It is 10 or 12 miles long and has an average width of per- 
 haps half a mile. Its altitude is 4,10G feet. Soundings were made 
 on this lake on August 17, 1910. The temperature of the water at 
 1.30 p. m. was found to be 50° F., while the temperature of the air 
 at the same time was 02.5° F. Sounding was made 200 feet east of 
 llie rockv ledge on the west shore, about 2 miles from the upper end. 
 
General view of the lakes and mountains, Waterton Lake. Northern end 
 OF upper lake, which is crossed by the boundary. 
 
 Lake on Olson Creek, from the mountain side, looking toward Mount 
 Cleveland, which is on the right in the distance. 
 
SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 9 
 
 The depth was 210 feet. Another sounding, made approximately 
 the same distance from the upper end and about halfway across, 
 gave a depth of 317 feet. These were the only two soundings made 
 on this lake. The temperature of the water at 8.30 p. m. of August 
 9, 1911, was 52° F., the air temperature being then 47° F. 
 
 LAKE ON OLSON CREEK. 
 
 Most of the water from Waterton Lalce is received from Little 
 Kootenai Creek. Just before this creek enters the lake it receives 
 the waters of Olson Creek, which comes in from the west. The trail 
 leads up this creek and over Brown Pass to the lakes and streams of 
 the western slope, which drain into the Flathead Kiver. The trail 
 by Olson Creek and over Brown Pass traverses one of the pictur- 
 esque portions of the park, and will doubtless be visited by many 
 tourists. This will be especially true of those coming in from the 
 Canadian side. On Olson Creek, 3| miles above Waterton Lake, is 
 a small lake that is unnamed. It is in a beautiful location, in the 
 very heart of magnificent mountains. The altitude is about 5,000 
 feet. The shore is open and easily accessible. 
 
 This lake is fed by streams, heading in the snowbanks of near-by 
 mountains. It is without fish. On Olson Creek, between this lake 
 and Waterton Lake, are numerous falls, up which fish are not able 
 to ascend. The lake is not deep, being only 5 feet at the upper end 
 and 10 feet at the lower. It is situated in a mountain pocket, and 
 has been made by a mass of glacier bowlders. This mass extends for 
 a mile or more down the creek, forming a series of falls and cas- 
 cades, over which the water dashes witli great noise. 
 
 The temperature of this lake at 5 p. m. on August 11, 1911, was 
 52° F. in the center and 54° F. near the shore. The air temperature 
 at the same time was 59° F. This and other temperatures here given 
 were taken about 6 inches beloAv the surface. 
 
 From observations made by the use of the surface net and the 
 dredge and from the character of the shore line it would seem ap- 
 parent that fish could do well in this lake. "While it may freeze over, 
 and doubtless does freeze over in winter, it would surely not freeze 
 to the bottom, and fish should live during the winter as in any other 
 lake. 
 
 There is in it a considerable abundance and variety of microsco]:)ic 
 life. One species of Avater snail is found in considerable abundance. 
 The larvae of numbers of insects were abundant. The streams which 
 supply the water doubtless carry into it considerable quantities of 
 insect life. 
 
 As the northern shore of the lake is open, it is a favorite camping 
 site. Should the lake be stocked with fish it would make tlie region 
 doubly interesting to tourists. Furthermore, the fish couhl easily 
 ascend the streams to a distance of several mih\s. 
 36709°— 12 2 
 
Lake southeast of Brown Pass. 
 
 McDermott Lake, Mount Gould, Mount Pollock, and Allen Mountain. 
 
SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 11 
 
 LAKE SOUTHEAST OF BROWN PASS. 
 
 On Olson Creek, about 2 miles above the lake last described, is 
 another unnamed lake. 
 
 This lake is some 5 or G miles from Waterton Lake, and lies at the 
 foot of tremendous cliffs, in a charming spot, close to the trail. Its 
 altitude is about 5,250 feet. It is fed by two streams. One comes 
 from the glacier above, falls over the cliffs, 1,100 feet high, by seven 
 streams, and presents a most charming picture. The other brings 
 the water from the eastern slope of the Continental Divide at Brown 
 Pass, several miles farther up the trail. This lake is connected with 
 the lake last described by Olson Creek. Fish placed in either lake 
 could easily pass, in a short time, to the other. 
 
 Soundings show the lake to be 75 feet deep in the middle, with a 
 depth of 30 feet at the upper end. Apparently it is shaped like a big 
 bowl. It is oval, perhaps a mile in length and not quite as wide. Its 
 surface area is probably a little more than that of lake last described. 
 Its temperature at 2 p. m. on August 12, 1911, was 53° F., the air tem- 
 perature at the same time being 67° F. The lake contains consid- 
 erable quantities of microscopic life, and is a fine haven for fish in 
 winter. Without doubt they would do well if the lake were stocked. 
 Moreover, they could ascend the inlet of the lake that brings the water 
 from Brown Pass. i 
 
 The same remarks that were made concerning insect life for the 
 lake last described will apply for this lake. It would seem to me to 
 be highly desirable to have fish placed in either or both of these 
 beautiful bodies of water. If placed in one they would soon be in 
 the other. 
 
 McDERMOTT AND ALTYN LAKES. 
 
 These lakes lie between Grinnell Mountain on the west and Allen 
 Mountain on the east. They extend northeast and southwest for 
 a distance of 3 or 4 miles, and are connected by a creek less than a 
 quarter mile in length. The elevation of McDermott Lake is 4,861 
 feet; Altyn Lake is slightly higher. Whatever deductions or con- 
 clusions are made for one lake will apply to the other. 
 
 Observations were made on McDermott Lake only. The shore of 
 the lake is open, free, and easily accessible. The trail passes close 
 to the lake at the lower end. A logging camp and sawmill was 
 formerly located here, but are now abandoned. Fire has destroyed 
 the timber so that there is a good, ojien site for camping, 
 with splendid views of the lake and mountains. The outlet of this 
 lake is a series of cascades, with a total fall of about 90 feet in a. 
 quarter of a mile. To the foot of this cascade fish from the i^treams; 
 below make their way. but none have ascended to the waters of the 
 lake above. This cascade, with the mountains behind for a back- 
 
12 
 
 SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PAEK. 
 
 ground, is one of the beauty spots of the park, and the portion of 
 the hike here described is one where tourists will delight to linger. 
 At the upper portion of the lake the slopes are partl}^ wooded and 
 partly open. The outline is quite irregular, and there are many 
 little sheltered coves, where game birds may hide, and where young 
 fish may escajDe the larger ones. 
 
 A sounding, 330 feet from the shore opposite the cabins, showed 
 a depth of 16 feet. A second sounding, half way between the cabins 
 and the bare rock at the foot of the lake, showed 3G feet. One-third 
 of the way up the lake the depth was 32 feet. In the narrow and 
 
 Gkinnell Lake, Grinnell Glaciek and Ampiiitiieateu. 
 
 shallow places the depth was only 1 feet ; at the upper end it was 
 7 feet. No soundings were taken in Altyn Lake 
 
 The temperature of the water was 68° F., and the temperature 
 of the air G3° F. Collections with net and dredge produced a 
 greater quantity of fish food than has been found in any of the 
 lakes that have been studied in the park. Microscopic life upon 
 which the small fish must feed was in great abundance. Every- 
 where on the bottom, among the weeds, and close to the mud were 
 great numbers of fresh water shrimp, the adults being about 1 inch 
 in length. With such an abundance of fish food, there is every 
 
SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 13 
 
 reason -\vliv this lake should be stocked at an early date with a good 
 supply of 3^oung fish. 
 
 The lake lies in a depression at the edge of the mountains. Its 
 outlet is blocked by a layer of bedrock, which the waters of the lake 
 are slowly Avearing away from year to year. Immediately below 
 the lake the plains country begins. Transportation of fish to the 
 lake would be quite easy, as a good wagon road extends from Babb, 
 at the mouth of Swiftcurrent Creek, to the lake. 
 
 McDermott Lake receives its waters from the Grinnell Glacier 
 country, from Swiftcurrent Pass, including a glacier on either side 
 of the pass, and from Iceberg Lake. If fish were introduced into 
 McDermott Lake, they would be given access to the streams leading 
 up to the mountains in these three directions. Between McDermott 
 Lake and Swiftcurrent Pass is a series of smaller and shallow lakes, 
 which were not studied but which have a slightly greater elevation 
 than McDermott Lake. Whether there are falls between McDer- 
 mott Lake and these smaller lakes in the direction of Swiftcurrent 
 Pass the writer does not know. If there are none fish will, of course, 
 have several miles of creek and lakes where the_v could secure food. 
 It would be only a short distance to transport fish to the upper 
 lakes and stock them also. As they, too, are by the side of the trail, 
 and as large numbers of people will doubtles wish to go over Swift- 
 current Pass and see the beautiful country adjacent thereto, it is 
 highly desirable that fish be planted in these waters wherever they 
 may be able to live. 
 
 .GRINNELL LAKE. 
 
 Grinnell Lake lies about a mile above Altj-n Lake and has the same 
 general outline, location, and aj^pearance wuth respect to mountains 
 as Avalanche and Gunsiglit Lakes. It lies at the foot of the tre- 
 mendous cliffs of Gould Mountain, and receives the waters that come 
 from the melting ice from Grinnell Glacier and from a portion of the 
 slopes of Grinnell Mountain. Its elevation is about 5.050 feet. As 
 the trail to Grinnell Lake was not good and was difficult for pack 
 horses the canvas boat, by means of which the soundings were made, 
 was not taken to the lake. The surface net was thrown into the 
 water, and some observations of the life in the lake were made by 
 dragging the net around through the water from horseback, near the 
 lower end. Such observations are not conclusive, of course, and 
 are given merely for Avhat they are worth. They serve to show, 
 however, that the lake is well supplied with microscopic life, and 
 further observations, when the boat can be transported to the waters. 
 Avill doubtless show as much living material as in Gunsight and 
 Avalanche Lakes. ]Moreover, fish planted in McDermott or Altvn 
 
Grinnell Lake and Govld Mountain from Grinnell Mountain. 
 Photograph copyrighted by Kiser Photo. Co. for Great Northern Railway. 
 
SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 15 
 
 Lakes would doubtless have no difficulty whatever in reaching Grin- 
 nell Lake, as the distance is short. 
 
 The lower end of the lake is open and parklike, but marsh}", and 
 the lake at this portion appears to be quite shallow. It was possible 
 to ride out into the water a distance of a hundred feet or more before 
 the water reached the horse's belly. 
 
 From the contour of the country it would seem that this lake is 
 perhaps like some of the others mentioned in this report — deepest 
 at its upper end. The shore next to Gould INIountain is very pre- 
 cipitous and is nothing- but a mass of broken rock or talus slope that 
 has fallen from the mountain and is almost devoid of vegetation. 
 The opposite shore, on the Grinnell Mountain side, is a dense mass of 
 brush. 
 
 At the upper end the waters from Grinnell Glacier fall over the 
 high cliffs with a deafening noise, presenting a beautiful sight. The 
 vicAvs from the lower end of the lake are as beautiful and imposing 
 as any to be found in the park. With a good trail to the upper end 
 of the lake this would be a favorite place for tourists, perhaps as 
 attractive as Avalanche Lake, although more remote from the points 
 of entrance. Such a trail will doubtless be made in the near future, 
 and when the lake is opened up to the public it will be doubly attract- 
 ive if stocked with fish. 
 
 ICEBERG LAKE. 
 
 Iceberg Lake lies at the foot of the towering cliffs of AYilbur 
 Mountain, the Continental Divide, and the high cliffs at Ahern Pass. 
 The precipices above this lake are more tremendous and imposing 
 than any the writer has seen in the park. It lies on the north side of 
 "Wilbur, on the east side of the Continental Divide, and on the south 
 of the unnamed mountains of Ahern Pass. As a consequence the 
 sun shines in this pocket for only a short portion of the year, and the 
 accumulated snow has little chance to melt. The distance from the 
 lake surface to the top of the cliffs above is over 3.000 feet. The lake 
 is not large, covering, jierhaps, less than a square mile of surface. 
 Its elevation is 0,100 feet. At the outlet is a series of falls, wdiich 
 make it impossible for fish from below to ascend to the lake, and 
 which would lock in the lake any fish that might be planted therein. 
 
 "\Miile this lake has a location which given it great interest, and the 
 surroundings are considered by many to be the most impressive in the 
 park, it does not seem advisable to go to the trouble of planting it with 
 fish, since its surface is free from ice for only a short time in the 
 year, and fish planted there would be completely landlocked, and 
 could not travel from the lake proper a distance of more than a 
 quarter of a mile. If fish are jilanted in ISIcDermott Lake, as has 
 been suggested, they could migrate up the stream to within a com- 
 l^aratively short distance of Iceberg Lake. 
 
TRAVEL-GUIDE MAP 
 
 OF THE 
 
 GLACIER NATIONAL PARK 
 MONTANA 
 
 After Topographic Map of Glacier National 
 Park by the U. S. Geological Survey. 
 
 L.L.POATES ENG.CO.,N. 
 
 1U°20' 
 
 16 
 
Iceberg Lake. 
 Photoiiraph copyrighted by Kiser Photo. Co. for Groat Northern Railway. 
 
 Iceberg Lake (in August), looking toward the cliffs of Wilbur Mountain. 
 
SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 
 
 19 
 
 ST. MARY LAKES. 
 
 LoAver St. Mary Lake lies outside Glacier Park, in the Blackfeet 
 Indian Reservation. Xo soundings were made in this hike, nor was 
 work of any kind done on it. Upper St. Mary lies Avholly within 
 the park. The elevation of the lower lake is 4,400 feet; that of 
 the upper lake is 4,472 feet. Upper St. Mary Lake has a general 
 direction of northeast and southwest, separated from the lower lake 
 by a mile or more of river. This river is shallow and easily forded, 
 either with horses or vehicles. The old trail, now made into a wagon 
 road, crosses the stream at about the boundary line of the park, and 
 
 Upper Lake St. Mary from upi'er end; Keu Eagle Mountain on RKiHT; 
 Divide Mountain in distance. 
 
 Photograph copyrighted by Riser Photo. Co. for Great Northern Railway. 
 
 follows the northern shore of the lake from the lower end to the 
 upper, a distance of 12 miles by water and considerably more by 
 trail. The wagon road extends only to the narrows, which is about 
 half way up the lake. Above the narrows the trail climbs almost 
 to the foot of the rocks of Goat Mountain and later descends nearly 
 to the lake level. 
 
 The only work done on Upper St. Mary Lake was the taking of a 
 series of soundings, extending from the narrows to the upj)er end. 
 Through the courtesv of Mr. W. J. Hillegoss, of the Great Northern 
 
20 
 
 SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PAEK. 
 
 Railwa\^, I was enabled to make use of the boat, which had been 
 phiced upon the lake the day before. The record of the soundings 
 taken is as follows : A short distince below the narrows, in the middle 
 of the lake, 150 feet; in the narrows, opposite the rocks, which are 
 situated on the north side, 200 feet ; out from the rocks 80 feet ; 
 half way from the upper end to the upper narrows, 166 feet ; 100 
 yards off the rocks which are on the south side of the upper nar- 
 rows, 137 feet ; opj^osite the little creek on the south side of the lake, 
 just west of Red Eagle, 123 feet; about the middle of the lake, half 
 
 lli:.\i) OF L I'l'Ki; Lake St. Mary fkom the Upper Narrows. 
 Photograph copyrighted by Kiser Photo. Co. for Great Northern Railway. 
 
 way between the upper and middle narrows, 292 feet. The tempera- 
 ture of the water was 56° F. These soundings were taken August 
 22, 1911. 
 
 One of the gentlemen at the camp stated that a few days before 
 my arrival a Mackinaw Lake trout had been taken by a trolling line. 
 The weight of this fish was 18 pounds. He also stated that some time 
 prior one had been taken which weighed 30 pounds. Undoubtedly 
 the lake is full of fish, many of them of good size. These can migrate 
 only a short distance up the creek from the lake, as they are stopped 
 by the falls. The introduction of fish into Gunsight Lake above 
 would give the fish access to the streams at the foot of the Continental 
 Divide. 
 
SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 
 
 2.1 
 
 GUNSIGHT LAKE. 
 
 This lake lies on the northern side of Giinsight Pass, its upper end 
 reaching- almost to the foot of the cliffs of the pass. It trends north- 
 east and soiitlnvest. is about a mile in lengih and perhaps half as 
 Avide, and is oval or elliptical, as are most of the smaller lakes in the 
 park. Its elevation is 5.270 feet. Gunsight INIountain is on the west, 
 Jackson Mountain on the south. At the upper end of the lake is a 
 small, open stretch less than half a mile long between the lake and 
 the cliifs. On the Gunsight side of the lake the timber and brush 
 come down to the water's edge. On the Jackson Mountain side the 
 
 Gunsight Lake and pack train on east side of Gunsight Pass, Piegan 
 Mountain, and Going-to-Sun Mountain in distance. 
 
 rhotosrapli coiiyriirhtcd by Kisor riioto. Co. for Groat Xortliprn Railway. 
 
 shores along the lower half are quite dense with brush ; along the 
 upper half they are free. The remainder of the lake is open and 
 has a good, pebbh^ shore, making the waters easy of access. The out- 
 let is to the St. Mary River, by which the waters reach the Upper 
 St. Mary Lake, 8 or 9 miles by trail. In this distance there are 
 numerous waterfalls; how many has not been determined. There 
 are enough, however, to prevent the ascent of fish from Upper St, 
 Mary Lake to Gunsight Lake. 
 
 This lake is familiar to all those who have traveled over Gunsight 
 Pass, as the trail climbs the steep slope above the lake, and the lake 
 is constantly in view during the ascent of the traveler over the pass 
 
22 SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 
 
 or during the descent from the pass to the beautiful camp site at the 
 foot of the lake. 
 
 At the lower end of the lake the country opens out into a wide 
 park, thinly timbered with beautiful open stretches here and there 
 and with many dense masses of brush. 
 
 The lake is fed by numerous streams, probably 15 or 20 at different 
 times, which come from the snow banks and glaciers lying on the 
 slopes of the mountains far above. As a result they come abruptly 
 into the lake and afford no opportunity for the ascent of fish to any 
 distance. 
 
 St. Mary River, w^hich is the outlet of the lake, receives the streams 
 which come from the Blackfeet Glacier, making a network of small 
 streams through the large and open park country, which extends for 
 miles. 
 
 The water is usually turbid, due to the sediment brought down 
 from the glaciers. Sometimes it is of a deep pea-green color; at 
 other times the green color is much lighter. Sometimes streams of 
 milky-looking water may be seen extending out into the green, show- 
 ing where the glacier stream is floAving out into the lake and mixing 
 with the lake water. 
 
 Soundings of this lake and collections were made on August 23, 
 1911. One hundred yards from the shore at the upper end the 
 depth was 63 feet; one-third of the way down it was 42 feet ; halfway 
 down, 32 feet ; three-quarters of the way down, 16 feet. 
 
 The temperature of the water at 11.30 a. m, was 53° F. and the 
 temperature of the air at the same hour was 68° F. 
 
 From these figures it will be seen that Gunsight Lake, like Ava- 
 lanche, is deepest at its upper end. It has about the same location 
 with respect to mountains that Avalanche has, and apparently would 
 make as good a home for fish, although they would be prohibited by 
 the falls from migrating to the streams below and would be some- 
 Avhat landlocked. Still, they would have an abundance of room for 
 movement and would have miles and miles of streams which would 
 give a big supj)ly of insect food. 
 
 It would seem that this lake should, by all means, be stocked with 
 fish. Tourists will camp on its shore in great numbers. The mag- 
 nificent mountains, the glaciers, and fish in the stream and lake near 
 camp would make a fairyland for those who will \asit this region. 
 
 The net and dredge show that the lake is well supplied Avith the 
 microscopic life which is necessary for the growth of small fish, and 
 the streams coming into the lake will doubtless carry considerable 
 quantities of fish food. The wooded and brushy shores will give a 
 good supply of insect food, and this will be greatly increased by the 
 insects that will fall into the streams from the brushy sides of the 
 many creeks. 
 
GiJNSiGHT Lake northeast from Gunsigiit Pass. 
 rhotograph copyrighted by Kiser Photo. Co. for Great Northern Railway. 
 
24 SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PAEK. 
 
 LAKE SOUTHWEST OF GUNSIGHT PASS. 
 
 This lake lies at the foot of Gunsight Pass, on the Pacific side of 
 the mountains. It has an elevation of 5,914 feet, and is therefore 
 638 feet higher than Gunsight. 
 
 The traveler standing at the summit of Gunsight Pass can see 
 Ounsight Lake and this lake without changing his position, except 
 to face about from the northeast to the southwest. Gunsight 
 Lake has been described previously. The upper end of this lake 
 touches the precipitous sides of Gunsight Pass. The lake is fed 
 mainly by a stream of water coming down from the region of the 
 pass. The stream comes from melting glaciers on either side. The 
 stream makes a beautiful waterfall, unnamed. The trail passes the 
 foot of this waterfall, giving the traveler a commanding view. Tlie 
 view of the lake from the pass and from any portion of the trail 
 between the pass and the lake is exceptionally fine. The trail leads 
 down to the edge of the lake. There is an excellent camping place, 
 with plenty of wood and water and an abundance of feed for a 
 goodly number of horses. 
 
 On the eastern side or shore of the lake the cliffs of Jackson 
 Mountain come abruptly to the water, and on that side the water is 
 doubtless very deep. On the opposite shore is a level stretch which 
 has been mentioned as a camping place. Back of this rise the abrupt 
 red cliffs of Gunsight Mountain. Over these a small stream of 
 water, coming from a hidden glacier, falls over the precipitous rocks 
 and disappears in spray before reaching the bottom. At the lower 
 end there is a stream perhaps a quarter of a mile in length, winding 
 back and forth over the ledges of rock, and finally falling over the 
 cliffs 1,700 feet into a second lake below. This lake is therefore 
 without streams of any consequence, either as outlet or inlet. 
 
 Collections were made here on September 5, 1909, and on August 
 23, 1911. The results show that the lake is not only deep, but full 
 of microscopic life. The soundings were as follows : 200 yards from 
 shore, at the upper end, 88 feet ; halfway down in the middle of the 
 lake, 118 feet; a little less than two-thirds of the way down, 214 feet. 
 The temperature of the water was 49° F., temperature of the air 52° 
 F., at 7.30 p. m. 
 
 It thus appears that this lake is like an immense bowl, without 
 streams of any consequence as inlet or outlet, as before mentioned. 
 A single haul of the surface net in the middle of the lake, where the 
 water is deepest, produced an immense quantity of microscopic life. 
 The mass of material was colored blood red, owing to the great 
 quantities of red entomostraca. When we consider that the lake is 
 oval, a mile long and about half a mile wide, with a depth of 244 
 feet, possibly still deeper at the lower end, we may conclude that 
 
SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 
 
 25 
 
 the great amount of fish food in such a hirge body of water would 
 supply large numbers of fish with planty to eat. It is true that 
 fish would be landlocked, and would be confined to the waters of the 
 lake. It is also true that not so many insects would be supplied as 
 is the case with the other lakes mentioned, because of the absence of 
 streams at the inlet and outlet. As the prevailing direction of the 
 wind is from the south and southwest, considerable quantities of 
 insect food from the regions below and near by, would fall into the 
 water. Also considerable quantities of food would be carried down 
 from the heio-hts alcove bv the streams mentioned. 
 
 Lake southwest of GuNSiciiiT 1'ass. 
 
 It might be urged that the elevation of the lake would be too high 
 to support fish life, or that the lake might freeze early in the fall 
 and thaw out late in the spring, but the location of this body of 
 water is such that the reverse is the case. It lies on the southern 
 face of the Continental Divide, and receives the warm rays of the 
 sun every day in the year when the sun shines, which is not true of 
 most of the other lakes mentioned. With the high cliffs of Jackson 
 on the east and those of Gunsight on the west, the sun will not strike 
 the waters of the lake early in the morning and will cease to touch 
 it early in the afternoon; but, during the middle and warmer por- 
 tion of the day the surface of the lake will receive the full rays of 
 the sun, with no obstruction whatever. Moreover, owing to this 
 
26 SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PAEK. 
 
 location the snow which will accumulate on the cliffs on either side 
 of the lake will be melted early in the spring by the warm rays, very 
 much earlier than would be the case on the opposite side of the 
 divide, above Gunsight Lake. And again, as stated, the prevailing 
 winds are from the south or southwest. Consequently the warm 
 air from the lower regions will be carried upwards and assist in 
 melting the snow and in warming the waters. We know that this 
 is true in other places in the mountains that have a similar location, 
 and consequently it must be true for this lake. Therefore, although 
 this lake has an elevation of 638 feet above Gunsight Lake, it seems 
 quite certain that it will have as much open season as will the lake 
 at the opposite side of the range. IVIoreover, it has much greater 
 depth, and this gi'eater depth will give the fish gi'eater room for 
 activity, and will make possible the growth of much larger amount 
 of life for food. 
 
 The shore of this lake is certain to be an attractive place for tour- 
 ists. The scenery in every direction is very impressive, and if the 
 lake is supplied with fish, it will have an additional charm. When 
 the travel in the park becomes reasonably heavy, the number of fish 
 that will be taken from its waters, should it be stocked, will, no 
 doubt, be sufficient to keep down any excess of fish for the amount 
 of food necessary to maintain their existence. 
 
 Everything considered, it would appear that this lake should, 
 without question, be stocked with fish, and it is certain that they 
 would do well until they reach such numbers that the food supph^ of 
 the lake will be exhausted. It is hardly likely that this will be the 
 case for a long time, and before that time comes the number taken 
 from its waters by campers will be large. 
 
 The transportation of fish fry could be made from the St. Mary 
 Lake side or from the Lake McDonald direction. If the fish are 
 brought in from the eastern side of the mountains they could be 
 transported from the Great Northern Eailvray to Upper St. Mary 
 Lake by wagon or automobile, and up Upper St. Mary Lake by boat. 
 From the upper end of Upper St. IVIary Lake to Gunsight Lake is 
 three or four hours' travel by pack horse. At Gunsight Lake they 
 could be cared for and the water changed, ready for transportation 
 over the pass. A pack horse could be taken from Gunsight Lake 
 over the pass and down to the waters of this lake in four hours 
 or less. By this route the fish would be carried by pack horses for 
 not to exceed eight hours, with opportunity to change the water and 
 care for them at the end of four hours. 
 
 If fish are brought from Lake McDonald, they could be taken from 
 the Great Northern Railway at Belton, transported over the excellent 
 road from Belton to Lake McDonald, a distance of onlv a few miles, 
 
SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 27 
 
 then by boat to the upper end of the hike. From Glacier Hotel at 
 the upper end of the lake to Glacier Basin on the trail to Sperry 
 Glacier, the distance is about four hours or less. Here the fish may 
 be cared for and, if desired, a portion could be taken up the trail, 
 about an hour and a half farther, to the small lakes, which lie high 
 up along the trail most traveled at the present time by tourists. From 
 Glacier Basin to this lake is between three and four hours' travel. 
 So that whichever way the fish ma}' be brought in the difficulty of 
 transporting them is not great, and the chances of getting them into 
 the water safely are very good. A^Hien once placed in the water they 
 will have no enemies until they reach sufficient size to become enemies 
 to each other. 
 
 LAKES SOUTH OF SPERRY GLACIER. 
 
 Two beautiful little lakes lie high up on the mountain side at the 
 end of the Sperry Glacier trail. Thev are 8 or 9 miles distant by 
 trail from the Glacier Hotel at Lake McDonald. The elevation of 
 the one highest is about 7,800 feet; the other lake is about 75 feet 
 lower. Each lake has an area of from 10 to 20 acres. They are fed 
 by little streamlets coming from springs among the rocks on either 
 side or from snowbanks. A small stream pours over the rocks at 
 the edge of Sperry Glacier, the water from the stream really coming 
 from the snow and ice of Sperry, although the movement of the ice 
 and the general flow of the water is in the opposite direction. 
 
 The scenery at these lakes is very rugged and picturesque. On the 
 west lies the bare and rocky summit of Edwards Mountain. At the 
 foot of the cliffs of Edwards and close to both the lakes is the trail 
 leading to Sperry Glacier, The color of these two lakes mentioned 
 is generally a very deep blue. This changes as the light of the sun 
 becomes stronger or weaker or is obstructed by intervening clouds. 
 
 These two little lakes are very attractive to tourists, and the trail 
 past them is at present traveled more than any other one in the park. 
 It doubtless will always be the most public trail, especially for those 
 wdio come into the park by way of Belton. This is because the trail 
 opens up, with a minimum of time and travel, one of the glaciers of 
 the park and one of sufficient size to be of more than passing im- 
 portance. The magnificent scenery is very attractive and can be 
 reached in a few hours' walk from the hotel. On several occasions I 
 have visited these two little lakes. In the summer of 1911 it was 
 found possible to transport the canvas boat to their waters for the 
 purpose of determining more exactly the depth of the water and the 
 life it contains. The depth of the higher lake only was taken owing 
 to lack of time. It was found that its greatest depth was 32 feet. 
 Bv the use of the net and dredge the life of the lake was examined. 
 
28 
 
 SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 
 
 There are considerable quantities of fish food, and it is believed that 
 quite a number of fish could maintain existence here. Owing to the 
 high elevation of the lake and the lack of streams, either as inlets 
 or as outlets, which would give opportunity for the fish to travel, 
 the}" would be locked in the small lake itself. However, it would 
 seem to be an experiment worth trying to introduce a few fish into 
 each of these little lakes, as they undoubtedl}' could live, and as the 
 lakes undoubtedly would not freeze to the bottom in winter. It 
 would certainly add greatly to the interest and attractiveness of the 
 trail to tourists if they could climb to this place, which appears to 
 be impossible of ascent when viewed from below, and find at the 
 
 Lakes south of Sperry Glacier. A portion of each lake is hidden dy the 
 
 CLIFFS PETWEEN THE CAMERA AND LAKE. 
 
 very end of the trail and high up among the frightful rocks a body of 
 water from which they could clraAv fish with a hook and line for the 
 noonday meal. It is for this reason only that it is suggested as 
 worthy of a trial, because the lakes are certainly not of sufficient 
 size to maintain any great quantity of fish, and they never could 
 get out. 
 
 Owing to lack of time soundings of the lower lake were not taken, 
 but from its general appearance and the character of the rock it is 
 probably not very much unlike the upper one. Previous observa- 
 tions tended to show that it contained about as much food or life as 
 did the hioher lake. 
 
SOME LAKES OF GLACIER PARK. 29 
 
 SUMMARY. 
 
 There are many other lakes in the park, some of them Uirge, some 
 of them small, Avhich have not been studied. Many of these are 
 removed from the trails, while some of them are close to present 
 trails. Many of these lakes are already supplied with an abundance 
 of fish. Still others are, by their location, and by the presence of 
 falls between them and the lower waters, devoid of fish life. It is 
 highly desirable that further study of these lakes should be made. 
 Such study, doubtless, will be carried on in the near future. 
 
 With a pleasure ground of the area of this park, approximating, 
 as it does, 1,500 square miles, with so many streams of water leading 
 into the Atlantic, the Arctic, and the Pacific, and the wealth of 
 magnificent scenerj^ that the country affords, there will, doubtless, be 
 many more trails made in the years to come than there are at present. 
 Where hundreds of people now visit the park, thousands — perhaps 
 tens of thousands — will visit it in the years to come. The introduc- 
 tion of fish into the various streams and lakes that will support fish 
 life will make the park more attractive to tourists and render their 
 stay more pleasant. The introductory work of placing fish in the 
 streams and lakes is not ver}^ arduous and should be carried on now, 
 so as to give time for the fish to grow and reach maturity before the 
 heavy park traffic shall begin. 
 
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