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Views from the Summits:
Triple Divide Peak
This is a view of Triple Divide Peak from the trail heading towards Triple Divide Pass. Triple Divide Peak is at the head of the Atlantic Creek Valley in the Cut Bank Area of Glacier National Park.
Triple Divide Peak (8,020 feet) is one of the most unique peaks in the world. This is because two Continental Divides meet on its summit! If you poured a bucket of water on the summit of Triple Divide Peak, a third of the water would flow into the Pacific Ocean, a third would flow into the Atlantic Ocean, and a third of the water would flow into the Arctic Ocean. There is no other peak in the world where this happens, so it's really a thrill to stand on this summit knowing how unique and rare this peak truly is!
Triple Divide Peak is located about 8 miles from the Cut Bank Ranger Station and Campground. The Cut Bank Area is in between St. Mary and the Two Medicine Area. To get to the Cut Bank Area, you take a 5 mile long gravel road westward off Highway 89.
The views from Triple Divide Peak are great- especially the view of the monstrous Mount Stimson, which is one of the six peaks over ten thousand feet in the park. From the summit, you really get a feel for just how primitive and remote the Nyack and Coal Creek Valleys are that surround Mount Stimson. Also, you really develop an understanding on just how low in elevation these valleys are- because no matter where you approach Mount Stimson, it's well over 6,000 vertical feet from it's base and the summit. Now that's what we call "Vertical Expression!"
As Shannon gets closer to Triple Divide Pass in Glacier National Park, Triple Divide Peak begins to dominate the skyline to the west.
Shannon standing on Triple Divide Pass, with Triple Divide Peak behind her.
Triple Divide Peak, 8,020 feet (left) and Norris Mountain, 8,882 feet (right) as seen from Triple Divide Pass.
A view of Triple Divide Pass from the south ridge of Triple Divide Peak (facing north).
Views from the Summit
Triple Divide Peak provides a great view of the Hudson Bay Creek Valley (facing north). This valley is home to the trail that takes hikers from Red Eagle Lake to Triple Divide Pass.
The summit of Triple Divide Peak provides a great view of the great Mount Stimson and the Nyack Creek Valley to the west.
This is a view from Triple Divide Peak of the sheer east face of Norris Mountain. Split Mountain is the sharp peak in the distance. We are facing north.
This is a view of the Hudson Bay Creek Valley from the summit of Triple Divide Peak in Glacier National Park. Far in the distance is Red Eagle Lake and St. Mary Lake. The camera is facing north.
Triple Divide Peak in Glacier Park provides a great view of Split Mountain from its summit.
Triple Divide Peak summit cairn with Mount James in the distance.
Here we are, standing on one of the most unique summits in the world!
This photo was taken on the west ridge of Mount James. We are facing southwest. Triple Divide Peak is front and center. The HUGE peak behind it (to the west) is the famous Mount Stimson, which is one of the six peaks over 10,000 feet in the park. The sharp peak to the left of Stimson is Mount Pinchot. Triple Divide Pass is directly below us on the lower saddle, between us and Triple Divide Peak.
This view is from the ridge between Triple Divide Peak and Norris Mountain (facing southeast). Triple Divide Peak is to the right, and Mount James is to the left. Triple Divide Pass lies between these two mountains.
Another view of the Hudson Bay Creek Valley as viewed from the summit of Triple Divide Peak in Glacier National Park. The mountain to the left in this photo is Split Mountain. You can see Red Eagle Lake far in the distance.
Shannon enjoying the view from Triple Divide Peak. The peak towering above her to the left is Norris Mountain. To climb Norris you must first climb Triple Divide Peak. The peak to the far right is Split Mountain.
This is a classic view of Mount Stimson (right) and Mount Pinchot (left) from the summit of Triple Divide Peak in Glacier National Park. The deep valley below these huge mountains are part of the Nyack Creek Valley- one of the most remote regions of Glacier Park.
A view of the Atlantic Creek Valley from the summit of Triple Divide Peak. The lake far below is Medicine Grizzly Lake. At the far left, beyond the end of this valley, is the Cut Bank Trailhead. We are facing straight east.
Mount Stimson is surrounded by extremely remote valleys. Very few people ever enter these areas, which are the Nyack and Coal Creek Drainages. They act as a huge mote, protecting the mighty Mount Stimson.
We truly enjoy our time on Triple Divide Peak no matter how many times we've climbed it. It's always a thrill to actually "touch" such a unique place where two continental divides meet.
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