Running Eagle Falls Nature Trail
Running Eagle Falls Nature Trail at Glacier National Park near East Glacier Park, Montana is an easy 0.7-mile loop hike that leads to the unique cave-like waterfall, Running Eagle Falls, and follows a self-guided interpretive nature trail.Hiking to Running Eagle Falls
This hike begins at the main trailhead for Running Eagle Falls, located on the west side of Two Medicine Road. Hikers will follow the easy and flat path as it leads through the forest toward Two Medicine Creek. The main attraction for this hike is the waterfall, so this route leads directly to Running Eagle Falls before exploring the nature trail portion of this loop. The trail that leads to Running Eagle Falls becomes scenic fairly quickly -- around mile 0.2, the landscape opens up a bit where a tributary creek that flows into Two Medicine Creek presents itself with a small footbridge that spans it. During our hike here in mid-to-late September 2024, this tributary was dry, indicating that it might be run for a snow melt or heavy rainfall runoff. Located upstream, and visible around mile 0.2, is Running Eagle Falls as it cascades through a cave and down Two Medicine Creek. The trail continues westward to reach the base of the waterfall, located around 0.3-miles from the trailhead. Running Eagle Falls is by-far the most unique waterfall that I've hiked to. It has a nickname "Trick Falls" due to the upper portion of the cascade that flows over the upper-most cliff during periods of heavy rain or snowfall that cause the water upstream to split into two. The main flow of Running Eagle Falls slips into a "cave" in the bedrock where it flows down through the cave and out of the bedrock to continue flowing down Two Medicine Creek. This unique cave-like waterfall is not only a sight to behold but is also respected as a sacred place for Native Americans based on its history of a Native American woman named Running Eagle.After exploring the waterfall, hikers will head back to parking but can also explore and enjoy the nature trail portion of this hike by following the western portion of the loop on your way out. The nature trail provides hikers with signage to interpret the local flora to learn about what's edible (Thimbleberry) and what people used to use for medicine. There's also a couple of spots along this trail where you can hop off-trail and enjoy the scenery from Two Medicine Creek. The trail eventually ends back at parking for a short and easy 0.7-mile loop hike.
Vehicle Reservations
Depending on what time of year you visit, you may need to reserve a vehicle entrance pass to get into the park, in addition to a park entry fee (or annual National Parks pass). Before planning this hike, ensure you've checked the NPS website for when and where Glacier NP vehicle reservations are required.Parking
Hikers will find a medium-sized parking lot at the coordinates provided, located on the west side of Two Medicine Road. The lot is large enough to fit just over a dozen vehicles as of September 2024.Pets
Dogs are not allowed on any trails at Glacier National Park.Warning
Grizzly bears: This trail is frequented often by grizzly bears, especially in late Summer and early Fall as they scrounge for 20 hours/day bulking for the winter. Always give wild animals plenty of space, including several hundred feet for grizzlies. It's best to bring bear spray on this hike as a last defense just in case a grizzly were to charge at you. Always make plenty of noise while hiking to alert animals to your presence long before you see them. It's also smart to hike with another person.About Running Eagle
As transcribed from the park signage: "Running Eagle lived many years ago, long before European contact in the early 1700s. She was born here in the heartland of the Amskapi-Pikuni, next to the shining mountains. Running Eagle was a real mortal person, not mythical.Running Eagle's life story is an illustrious saga of leadership and many victories that are famous to this day. The story of her life was told by Pikuni elders in a true oral traditional manner. Running eagle is the only young woman of the Pikuni people to have gone on a four-day fast; to suffer, dream, pray, and find her medicine. High above the beautiful falls, her vision was successful. This is a most sacred and respected site, named in her honor by the Pikuni people. In those early days, only young men of certain societies had the special privilege to fast and receive their power.
Running Eagle became a true woman warrior for courage and bravery in all of her accomplishments and deeds. Running Eagle was a great horsewoman, a fast runner, and an excellent hunter. She was kind, thoughtful, and a generous person. With precise perfection, Running Eagle made everything, including her spear, quiver, bow and arrows, all of her horse accouterments of those days. She was outstanding in her warrior-woman attirement of white buckskin decorated with dyed quill work. She wore a splendid straight up eagle feather war bonnet and carried a shield.
The true, exciting stories of her prowess on war parties, raids, adventures, and counting coup unfolded many times in lodges throughout the land.
In the time of her teenage years, Running Eagle became the head of her father's painted lodge after his death. It was then she raised her brothers and sisters, and took care of the extended family in accordance with Pikuni laws and traditions.
Running Eagle was a tall and beautiful woman, with long black braids, and walked a straight religious path with grace, pride, and honor. Near her 30th year, Running Eagle went on her last raid across the Continental Divide, where she was killed by the Flathead in their territory.
The Pikuni warriors brought her back to Upper Two Medicine Lake and buried her in a tree on the mountain overlooking the falls. The Pikun: people hold Running Eagle in very high esteem for her knowledge and wisdom, and the inspiring person she became."
