Long Knife Peak

Most northerly contiguous U.S. peak above 9,000 ft; Belt Supergroup rock records Proterozoic history; the region is tied to the Blackfeet Nation lineage as the ‘Backbone of the World’

Proterozoic Belt Supergroup rocks; evidence of early life; tectonic uplift history

Navigate via park maps; plan backcountry route starting near Upper Kintla Lake; there is no official Long Knife Peak page.

Backcountry access via Upper Kintla Lake; no established Long Knife Peak trail

Backcountry routes linking to Clark Range; no formal Long Knife Peak trail

From Upper Kintla Lake shoreline; along the lake’s west shore toward the crest

Early light on the crest; alpine reflections in the lake; dramatic contrasts between rock and sky

Upper Kintla Lake foreground with the knife-edge crest framed by alpine scenery; early morning or late afternoon light

Mountain goats, pikas; bears may be present

Afternoon alpine storms possible; rapid shifts in temperature and wind

Upper Kintla Lake; Clark Range; West Glacier area

West Glacier, St. Mary; park visitor centers for information

Backcountry; not wheelchair accessible

Backcountry route with rugged, uneven terrain and exposure to mountain conditions; not suitable for young children.

Park visitor centers; nearby communities outside park boundaries