Siyeh Pass Trail Hiking Guide
Siyeh Pass is the big east-side day on Going-to-the-Sun Road: up through Preston Park to an exposed pass, then a long descent of more than 3,000 feet to Sunrift Gorge. AllTrails reviewers mention goats and grizzlies along the way. The main planning problem is that it starts and ends at different trailheads.
Permit: To drive Going-to-the-Sun Road you need a Glacier entrance pass: $35 per private vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, or $20 for each person 16 or older on foot or bike, valid 7 days; November 1 through April 30 the prices drop to $25, $20 and $15. The park annual pass ($70) and America the Beautiful passes count. Non-US residents 16 and older pay an additional $100 per person unless on one of those passes. Cashless. No vehicle reservation was needed for the road in 2026.
Point to Point
AllTrails maps the through-hike from the Siyeh Bend trailhead to Sunrift Gorge at 10.1 miles with 2,263 feet of climbing, which it reckons takes a little over six hours. The park's figures show why most people go this direction: the pass is 4.6 miles and 2,240 feet up from the Piegan Pass trailhead at Siyeh Bend, but 5.5 miles and 3,440 feet from Sunrift Gorge. Starting high means you descend the steep side instead of climbing it.
The Route
From Siyeh Bend the route follows the Piegan Pass trail 2.7 miles to Preston Park, per the park's trail database, where the Siyeh Pass trail branches off and climbs about two more miles to the pass. The far side switchbacks down to Going-to-the-Sun Road at Sunrift Gorge. The park asks hikers not to cut the switchbacks, which speeds erosion. The Siyeh Bend to Preston Park stretch is often posted for bear frequenting, and in fall 2026 the park also flagged a cracked bridge stringer near Preston Park.
Getting Back to Your Car
AllTrails still suggests the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle for the return, but that advice is out of date. The park's 2026 shuttle was an express to Logan Pass that didn't stop at Siyeh Bend or Sunrift Gorge, and it ended on September 7. Plan on two cars, one parked at each end along the road. Otherwise hike out and back to the pass from Siyeh Bend.
Weather on the East Side
The pass is exposed and the east side of the park is known for wind; downslope winds there regularly gust past 50 mph, according to the park. Fall adds snow: from September on, sizable storms become more likely, the park says, and fresh snow can linger and bury the tread, and high passes are among the last places to melt out in summer, typically by late July. Carry layers, gloves and a map you can read without a phone signal.
Road Season
Both trailheads sit on Going-to-the-Sun Road between St. Mary and Logan Pass. Cars can usually cross the pass until the third Monday in October. After that date the east-side winter gate goes wherever the weather dictates. Once the alpine section closes, this hike is effectively off the table until the next summer's plowing is done.
Hiking tips for Siyeh Pass Trail
- Hike from Siyeh Bend to Sunrift Gorge so the 3,440-foot side is your descent, not your climb.
- Stage a car at Sunrift Gorge first; no shuttle serves these trailheads.
- Keep to the switchbacks on the descent; shortcuts tear up the slope.
- Expect strong wind on the pass and carry gloves and a shell.
- Download your map beforehand; the park says there is no cell coverage outside Apgar and St. Mary.
Nearby trails to explore
- St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
- Hidden Lake Overlook
- Highline Trail (Glacier)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Siyeh Pass works best with a partner and a car at each end. Use TrailMates to find Glacier hikers to split the car shuttle along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Download the TrailMates app to connect.