Home
Blog
Search Site
Sitemap

Special Topics
Books
Equipment
Movies & TV
Photography Tips
FAQ
Waterfalls 101
Featured Articles

World's Best Waterfalls
Top 10 Waterfalls
Regional Top 10 Lists
The SoCal Top 10
Tallest Waterfalls
Iguazu Falls
Victoria Falls
Niagara Falls
Plitvice Waterfalls
Angel Falls

Waterfalls
In The USA

Regions
American Southwest
Pacific Northwest
Eastern US
Special States California
Hawaii
New York
Oregon
Special Parks Yosemite
Yellowstone

Waterfalls
Around The World

The Americas
Canada
Caribbean
Latin America

Asia
Asia
China
Japan
Thailand
India

Oceania
Australia
New Zealand
South Pacific

Europe and Africa
Europe
Iceland
Norway
Africa

Waterfall Community
Travel Stories
Contributions
Submit A Waterfall
About Us
Contact Us
Advertise Here
Links
Updates
 

Apikuni Falls

Apikuni Falls


Apikuni Falls was perhaps the most striking waterfall that I was able to get close to during our visit to Glacier National Park. Not bad considering that I actually hadn't planned on seeing this waterfall prior to the trip. Moreover, it turned out that this waterfall was not visible from the Many Glacier Road because it was facing away from the valley. It wasn't until I noticed it upon examining a map sign at the trailhead for Grinnell Glacier and realized that its trail was short enough to do without dramatically increasing the chances of a grizzly bear encounter (from a longer hike) did it even begin to cross my mind that I should do this hike.

In any case, this waterfall seemed to have two parts close together comprising its overall vertical drop, which I'm guessing is 150ft tall or so. There were also cascades continuing to tumble further downstream so depending on who you talk to, its overall height might be even taller.

From the trailhead shared with the trail to Poia Lake, the hike was said to be one mile each way. However, it was a pretty steep uphill mile for almost the entire hike so it was definitely a little tiring for such a relatively short day hike. The path started off out in the open facing some interesting cliffs rising high above the trees, but soon enough, the trail went straight into those trees (and it was here that I was concerned about surprising a grizzly, especially given how windy it was at the time).

Looking towards the head of Many Glacier ValleyIt probably wasn't until around 3/4-mile into the hike did I finally start to see the hidden Apikuni Falls. Just a short distance further, the trail climbed above most of the treeline, and from this position, I took a few breathers looking back in the other direction towards the valley. That was where I got some very scenic views of the rest of Many Glacier Valley with majestic snow-capped mountains, remnants of what's left of the glaciers here, and colorful lakes.

Eventually, the trail was side-by-side with the creek just downstream of the falls, but some additional scrambling was required to get even closer to the falls. The closer I got to the falls, the steeper the scramble became. I'll leave it up to you to decide how close to the falls you want to get depending on your comfort level. It's definitely not for everyone.

Directions: From Babb, drive west on Many Glacier Road for about 10.25 miles to the Poia Lake car park and trailhead. From the trailhead, the trail to the lake forks to the right while the trail to the falls forks to the left. There are signposts there to help you pick the right path.

[Back to top]

At the trailhead for the fallsAt the trailhead for the falls

First glimpse of Apikuni FallsFirst glimpse of Apikuni Falls

Looking back across the valley once I was above the treelineLooking back across the valley once I was above the treeline

View of the falls once the trail was right next to the creekView of the falls once the trail was right next to the creek

Looking downstream from the cascades beneath Apikuni Falls towards the panorama of Many Glacier ValleyLooking downstream from the cascades beneath Apikuni Falls towards the panorama of Many Glacier Valley

This was as close to the falls as I could getThis was as close to the falls as I could get

[Back to top]


Bottom up sweep of the falls on the approach


Comprehensive counterclockwise circular sweep encompassing the falls and the gorgeous mountains across the valley


Fixated on the falls from a distance


View Larger Map



TRIP REPORTS
For more information about our experiences with this waterfall, check out the following travel stories.

GUIDEBOOKS / OTHER RESOURCES


NEARBY WATERFALLS




Have You Been To This Waterfall?

Share your experience!

Click here to see visitor comments for this waterfall

Click here to see visitor comments for other waterfalls that we've visited in this region

Click here to go to the Comments Main Page

Enter Your Title



[Back to top]

[Go to the Montana Waterfalls Page]

[Go to the Pacific Northwest Page]


[Return from Apikuni Falls to the World of Waterfalls Home Page]






FOLLOW US ON:   Facebook   Twitter

There's lots to say about the Pacific Northwest and its waterfalls. Click on one of the following links to jump to the section you're interested in...


If you like this page,
you might also like...

Montana Waterfalls
Montana Waterfalls

Pacific Northwest Waterfalls
Pacific Northwest
Waterfalls

Yellowstone Waterfalls
Yellowstone Waterfalls

America's Top 10
America's Top 10

Other Pacific Northwest Attractions
Other Pacific
Northwest Attractions

Pacific Northwest Travel Stories
Pacific Northwest
Travel Stories

A Waterfalling Adventure
Tell YOUR Story!


Featured Visitor Stories
or Comments


Swimming Hole
My cousins and I lived on State Hwy. 216, just a mile or so east of the park entrance in 1978 and 1979. We frequently went to the falls during the hot summer...[more]


Northwest Waterfall Survey
Curly Creek Falls appears to have been partially channeled into a sink between the bridge on FR 90 and the falls. It flows well during the spring and early melt season, but...[more]


Shoshone Falls
Shoshone Falls on the Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho is truly spectacular during the mid-April to mid-May high season. The river plunges...[more]


Two Spectacular Falls
Diamond falls is a bit of a hike in. I didn't measure it but it felt like 2 miles. There were several nice view points on the walk in showing the surrounding hills...[more]


Further on the Eagle Creek Trail
Next time you are in Oregon and have a day to devote to Eagle Creek, I would highly recommend making the trek to Tunnel Falls...[more]


Loowit Falls, Mt St Helens, Washington
Picture of Loowit Falls, Mt St. Helens, Washington...[more]


Explore the
World of Waterfalls

World of Waterfalls Map
See Where We've Been!

Top 10 Waterfalls
The World's Top 10

Waterfalls FAQ
Waterfalls FAQ

Waterfalls 101
Waterfalls 101

World of Waterfalls: An Emotive Journey
Take an Emotive Journey!


Waterfalls Blog


Weather