Glacier NP Veterans

“Okay, this year for my big summer trip I want to go to Glacier National Park. There is a ton of information on TrailTalk which I have yet to sort through (as I haven't been around much). My question to you veterans of the park...I can take vacation between late June to late Sept...of those months, which is the best to visit? Not too cold (colder than 26F) and few bugs?

Three of my non-TT backpacking friends who have been on several TT backpacking trips will be coming as well: Troy, Myron and Sherie. They all went to Dolly Sods with TT, Troy and Sherie have been to several Indiana trips and Troy goes to TrailDays every year. Anyone else interested in going...join the trip, we'd love to have you. Thanks in advance!

Past big summer trips:
Yosemite 2006
Yellowstone 2006”

“August.
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/prosecutor104/album/576460762345163077”

“Early August.”

“I've been in early June Mid July, Early August and Late August. Late August when I was there was dry so the water falls were not running their highest volumes. I myself didn't like that. If I have my preference which I do it would be late June Early July which is the time my wife and I are heading to the park to backpack.

All times of the summer should be prepared for the best and worst weather. Even in August when it was drier it was great and sunny in the morning and raining on us in the afternoon. So even having visit the park 4 times I still asked the weather question to the park rangers and here is the response I got.


James,

I've included a link to a weather site for Glacier National Park. These
temperatures are probably from West Glacier. The park elevations range
from 3,000 feet to over 10,000 feet mean sea level. In addition, an
average temperature doesn't mean too much because temperatures vary widely
depending on your location and the current weather. May and June are two
of our most variable months for weather. Be prepared for possible good
weather to snow.

http://www.glacier.national-park.com/weather.htm


Fred Vanhorn
Branch Chief, Wilderness Management
Glacier National Park
406-888-7822
FAX 406-888-7946
Fred_Vanhorn@nps.gov


Hope this helps

Oh and the reason I'm picking late June early July to go on our trip this summer is the weather is better than early June but there still is alot of winter melt that all the awesome waterfalls should be flowing near their best.
last edited: 1/26/07 11:33:51 PM”

“I've been to Yellowstone in June and July. In June it was cold and snowy, no bugs, and comfortable during the sunlight hours. In July it was horrible, bugs everywhere. I've never been out west to a park in Aug so maybe I'll try Aug. Any suggestions on trails? Usually I like to do a 4 day trip around 30-35 miles. Then explore the touristy stuff the other 2-3 days.”

“Speak of the devil... hi Dub!

Somebody was just asking if anybody had heard from you lately.”

“Hey, Dub. We would love to come along on this trip. I am going to put us down as maybe, however, since there is no firm date. My girlfriend needs to turn in her vacation dates on Monday - if she does not... then we run the risk of not getting the time she wants. So - we won't know if we can go until you chose a date.... Hopefully this works out... I reallly want to go back to GNP.”

“Hey Tilt, yeah I'm still around but I started going back to school and I'm working full time so I'm pretty busy lately. Backpacking is my escape!

Mountainrunner...I apologize but I'm the holdup. We're doing our vacation scheduling next week and I'm the young new guy so I'm last to pick. Most guys I work with shoot for June/July so Aug should be fine. I'm gonna aim for Aug 6-10 and the 13-17 will be my second choice. Most likely I'll get the 6-10 so if you guys wanna go take that week off. We'll fly in and out on the Sundays around those dates.”

“August for Glacier -

http://travel.webshots.com/album/422166805NCPaCE

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/423774061BIbRvz

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/423857890QOiBcu

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/423918869BIYxyZ

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/423936104xHipTZ

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/423957675GBefrT”

“Hey guys, I'm really new to this site, and actually to backpacking. Been camping my entire life, so I'm pretty sure I'll be able to trim down to lighten the load. I'm very interested in this trip Dub, but have you chosen a trail? Just to get a general idea of what alt and temps we might be looking at? From what I have seen of Glacier its rather variable?”

“In August 2005 I went from shorts and a T shirt to long underwear, coat, ski hat and ski gloves in less than 24 hours.
The advice above is good. Pack for any weather.
Bugs will vary by location. Bring lots of 100% deet because you never know when you'll need it BAD.
Everyone wants to go to Glacier in August because that's when the probability of good weather is highest. For that reason the one thing you are guaranteed in August is crowds. The biggest problem this presents is trip planning since getting your choice of backcountry campsites is tough.
August can have 100 degree days isn't much fun with a loaded pack on.
Right after Labor Day is a good time to consider.
Put me down. I'll go.”

“Paul,
I've been to Glacier in parts of June, July, and August and have never really noticed the bugs getting to bad. Maybe I'm just lucky.

And this also might have been lucky but the best weather I ever encountered at Glacier was July.

Any everyone and there mother is correct about the weather. If you head to the park thinking your going to stay dry well better hope you have thick skin as I've been in the park as long as 5 days and as short as 2 and always had rain fall on me at some point.”

“You gotta go up the Highline Trail - at least for a dayhike on your tourist day.

If you want to see a beautiful lake, go stay a night at Lake Francis - it could be your second night out, so I don't know if it fits your intenerary, but if you can do it - Lake Francis was my favorite spot.”

“If my comments need clarification, I'll try.
The 8/05 experience was in Glacier. It was rain driven by high winds.
Last time I weighed my clothes before a trip, they were 6 pounds. Even on a summertime day hike in Glacier with no bad weather expected, I take most of those six pounds in case of an emergency.
Flasher, you're right about the bugs, mostly. Last year I was finishing about a 10 hour day hike, in Glacier, was stopped for some reason, and suddenly swarmed by about 100 flies who went straight for my head and my eyes. That was a time I was glad I always take 100% deet like I said.
I didn't say don't go in August or July. Glacier's great anytime of year but always be prepared for the worst. It's a highly variable environment.”

“It looks like we'll be going the second week of August, I'm bringing 3-5 (self included) and capping the trip off at 8 people. We haven't chosen a trail yet but will as soon as everyone gets their vacation approved.”

“Count me in.. Just let me know where we are all meeting, either within the park or outside, and I'll be there.. :)”

“Hey, Dub. We are going to have to bow out of this trip - the dates do not match up with vacation time that was available. We're still heading out there.... but with sort of a flex schedule. I wish I could have slipped into this group :(”