Ice-cold plunges in glacier-fed pools have become a bracing summer tradition in the high country. Montana rewards those who step off the pavement, and this pursuit is a case in point.

Alpine tarns stay frigid even at the height of summer.

What sets it apart

Hikers often earn a swim after long climbs to high basins. For those who know the region well, it is a point of quiet pride.

Sudden weather changes make timing a dip a careful business.

Why it matters

What ties it all together is a distinctly Montana balance between wildness and self-reliance. Go prepared, respect the conditions, and Montana's backcountry will give back in kind.