Watching over the pristine wilderness of Glacier National Park, Heaven’s Peak stands as a majestic sentinel, silently guarding the treasures of this breathtaking landscape. As one of the park’s most iconic peaks, Heaven’s Peak is a natural wonder that captures the attention of all who visit Glacier National Park. 

Although it is easily viewed from Going-to-the-Sun Road, it is often veiled in mystery because of its difficulty to access, and therefore is not included on many visitors guides for the park. However, a peak of this magnitude deserves to be known, so here are 6 facts about Heaven’s Peak in Glacier National Park that you may not have been aware of.

1. How tall is Heaven’s Peak?

You will find Heaven’s Peak in Glacier National Park standing tall at 8,991’ and nestled into the Livingston Range. Although it’s not the highest peak in the park, it’s one worth stopping at to take in the viewpoint.

2. Can you summit Heaven’s Peak?

Heaven’s Peak isn’t for the faint at heart for any of the routes you can use to make it to the top. All routes are strenuous with elevation gains of about 5,000’ elevation or more. The North route is considered to be a class 2&3 hike, with 1 spot at stage 4. Both the South and East routes are classified as class 3 for experienced mountaineers only with steep snow. The final route to the summit has not been given a grade but steep snow and ice. Make sure you study up on your routes and keep your physical limitations in mind when planning.

3. When was it first summited?

Heaven’s Peak first record of a successful summit dates back to July 15, 1924. This was accomplished by famous mountaineer Norman Clyde alongside Fred Herz and Lee Stopple. They conquered this peak via the Northern Ridge route.

4. Did you know there is a lookout on the top of Heaven’s Peak?

Glacier at one point manned 17 fire lookouts, today just 9 of those remain. Heaven’s Peak Fire Lookout is one of them. It has seen better days but it still remains standing. 3 miles North of the summit is where you can find this lookout,  construction started in 1940 but wasn’t completed until 1945. Sitting nearly on the edge of a 1,000 cliff the views are incredible from here.

5. What’s behind the name for Heaven’s Peak?

“Where God lives” marked Heaven’s Peak for the Blackfeet Tribe, “ Red Bird” for the Kootenai Tribe but neither of those names stuck. Heaven’s Peak was coined by Dutch prospector Louie Meyer during the 1890 expedition.  This expedition was led by Lieutenant George Patrick Ahem as they set out to extensively explore the Glacier Park Country. Everyone was taken away with the variety of features Heaven’s Peak exhibited. With the Garden Wall being its most dominant feature, to the beautiful snow capped peak, Heaven’s Peak was breathtaking by the mysterious and mystical features it brought to the area. It was like nothing they had been seeing during their travels and trust me, they named it correctly.

6. Best place to view Heaven’s Peak?

You will be able to see parts of Heaven’s Peak along parts of Going To The Sun Road but the main viewing point will be right at The Loop while you are headed up to Logan Pass.

Heaven’s Peak, the proof is in the name. Another one of Glacier’s beautiful landmarks that you must see in person. One of the many wonders you will see while you come and explore Glacier. The views from the summit are breathtaking but if you can’t make the hike or choose to save your steps in Glacier for different peaks, marveling in its beauty from afar will be just as well.