No permits are currently required. The Great Northern Traverse begins on the far west side of Glacier National Park and skirts the Canada border, crossing truly magnificent Continental Divide terrain before exiting the park at its northeastern boundary. Part two takes you another 26 miles through Waterton Valley, up Stoney Indian Pass, and through the wild and beautiful Belly River Valley to the Chief Mountain customs station. The area between Boulder Pass and Brown Pass is under snow until August. Leave a second car at Chief Mountain customs station.
Permits are available one day in advance at any park ranger station.
The Many Glacier Hotel at Swiftcurrent Lake, with 211 rooms, is about 40 minutes from the finish line. Starting in a meadow full of blue lupine, the trail quickly climbs through a series of staircased valleys. The Rubies are checkerboarded with private property. Be careful to avoid trespassing if you go off the trail for any significant distance. Ruby Dome, Lamoille.