Haystack Butte

This section of the Highline Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the park, owing to its spectacular vistas, excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, and low level of difficulty. The trail follows the west face of the Continental Divide, maintaining a relatively constant elevation. The Highline Trail crosses excellent habitat for many types of wildlife, and the open subalpine meadows of the Garden Wall allow easy viewing of wild creatures in their natural environments. Columbia ground squirrels abound in the alpine tundra, and hoary marmots and pikas live among the boulders of talus slopes. Look for mountain goats and bighorn sheep near the bases of the cliffs and among stands of fir. Raptors often soar on thermals high above the alpine meadows, hunting for rodents. Please do not feed the wildlife, in the interest of keeping it wild.