McDonald Peak (Mission Mountains) is most commonly climbed via the Glacier Lake Trail — Southwest Ridge. Rated 8/10 difficulty, the standard ascent typically takes 2 days, covering roughly 22 miles with 7,200 feet of vertical gain. The summit stands at 9,820 ft with 5,640 ft of clean prominence — among the most topographically significant peaks in the lower 48.
Recommended Route
Glacier Lake Trail — Southwest Ridge
Permits & Camping
Climbing Permits
No special climbing permit is required for McDonald Peak, though wilderness or park entry fees may apply. Peak season runs July-September.
Season & Access
Year-round (Confederated Salish & Kootenai tribal permit)
Safety Information
Technical Requirements
- Glacier Travel
- Alpine Start
- Snow Travel
- Exposed Scrambling
- Off-Trail Navigation
Known Hazards
- Crevasse Fall
- Avalanche
- Rockfall
- Hypothermia
- Whiteout Conditions
- Off-Trail Navigation
Getting There
location_on
McDonald Peak · MT
Coordinates
47.3958° N, 113.9897° W
Data source: PeakList.org (elevation, prominence); PeakBagger/SummitPost (route, class, hazards, permits)