Park Saddle Tour at Dawson Pass

News and Adventure from Glacier National Park

Sitting along the Continental Divide at an elevation of 7598 feet, Dawson Pass forms the saddle between 8538-foot Mt. Helen towards the south, and 9225-foot Flinsch Peak to the north. The pass is named for Thomas Dawson, the son of Andrew Dawson, who was an official for the American Fur Company at Fort Benton. His mother was Blackfoot Indian. Dawson’s Blackfoot name was Little Chief, or Inuxina. The pass, therefore, is called Inuxina ozitamisohpi in the Blackfeet language. Dawson also acted as a guide during the early days of Glacier National Park.

From its inception as a national park, Dawson Pass has been a popular destination in the Two Medicine area. This photo was taken from the pass in the 1930s, and is likely a group from a Park Saddle Horse tour:

The photo below is also likely that of a Park Saddle Horse tour near Dawson Pass from the 1920s or 30s:

Jeff
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ramble On (2nd edition book on the rich history of hiking)
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park