Running Eagle Falls, Glacier National Park, Montana

Running Eagle Falls, Glacier National Park, Montana

N 48° 29.853 W 113° 21.184 Located within Glacier National Park, take Two Medicine Road west about 4.5 miles from Highway 49. The trail is around .3 miles long. Running Eagle Falls is a highlight of a trip to Two Medicine. In the spring water rushes over the upper fall so thick that the lower fall is completely hidden. Later in summer, as flows decrease, the water seems to change course and flow almost exclusively out of the lower fall. It's easy to see why this waterfall used to be named Trick Falls. Allow at least an hour to enjoy the beauty of this area. Two trails lead to the falls. One begins in the parking area and is a paved trail. The other trail is unpaved and begins near the bridge over Two Medicine Creek. The trails merge into one before reaching Running Eagle Falls so if you wish you may take one trail in and return on the other. Sometimes referred to as Trick Falls, Running Eagle Falls is actually two falls when Two Medicine Creek is running high. The second falls flows behind and slightly to the right of the large falls, emerging from the rocks about two-thirds of the way down. This area holds great religious significance for local Blackfeet tribal members. The park is in the process of creating a nature trail here to highlight the cultural significance of this unique spot. Running Eagle Falls is a place of beauty and sacred spirituality in Glacier National Park. Nicknamed, Trick Falls, Running Eagle Falls actually appears to be two waterfalls. After the snow melts in the spring, the upper falls rages above the lower falls. Later in the summer, the upper falls dries up and only the lower falls continues to flow, hence the name, Trick Falls. Running Eagle Falls was named after a female Blackfeet warrior who used the area for vision quests. The legend tells of a brave indian girl named Weasel Woman whose parents died when she was young. Refusing to break up her siblings, and rejecting all of her suitors, Weasel Woman decided to take on the male role of the household. She provided for her brothers and sisters by hunting. To take care of the female chores, Weasel Woman brought in a widowed woman of her tribe to look after the children and cook. Weasel Woman had her first experience as a warrior when Crow Indians raided her Blackfeet village and stole several horses. In response, Weasel Woman broke into the Crow camp and returned 6 of the best horses to her village. She was also responsible for killing several enemy warriors who were trailing her party. When Weasel Woman returned, the men put up a Medicine Lodge and allowed Weasel Woman to tell her story. From then on, Weasel Woman, became known as Pita Omarkan, or Running Eagle, a named that once belonged to a great chief. She has been the only Blackfeet woman to bear a man's name. Running Eagle went on to participate in many successful raids and led many war parties. She became a member of the Braves Society of young warriors. However, Running Eagle met her match during a battle with the Flatheads, and was clubbed from the behind and killed. The area where Running Eagle received a vision that empowered her with the knowledge to become a successful warrior, now bears her name. Running Eagle Falls continues to fascinate and awe thousands of visitors a year.