Glacier NP

“DOes anyone Know some great trails IN glacier NP. I am going for 8 days in late June. Lookng for a couple two or three day trips. Thank you.!”

“so youre going to what might be the greatest national park in the country in less than two months and you havent done the research yet?

buy a map and a guidebook and get to lookin

search the threads here for trip reports, because i know people here have done it

randall, for one. dub and chinmusic also. plenty others, im sure”

“There are tons of great spots. I would personally break the trip up into 3 segments.
1. back country (multiple days)
2. day hikes 2 listed below are a must
3. one day at least to just be a tourist

I will give you two dayhikes to look into:
1. Highline Trail http://www.bigskyfishing.com/National_parks/glacier/hiking-highline-trail.shtm There is a side trail well before you get to the Granite Park Chalet that take you STEEPLY up to the Garden Wall.....TAKE IT. You then can look DOWN at the Grinnell Glacier. There is another (unmarked) trail to the right as you get to the top of the Garden WALL.....TAKE IT but NOT if the footing is slippery. This last trail is kinda dangerous. The side trail will add a couple hours to your hike. I would suggest the Highline to the Side Trails to the Granite Park Chalet and then down to the Going to the Sun road. This makes it a point-to-point trail. If you need to loop just go to the Granite Park Chalet and head back or better yet, spend a night at the Granite Park Chalet.

2. Grinnell Glacier (out and back)”

“We have no good trails in GNP. It's all a big lie. This place is hideously ugly and boring.

Really.”

“THanks lilmountaingirl but I know your fibbing. I have been there a few times. All Fighting fires. twice in 03 and once in 05.tought it was a time to visit with out fire eing involved. And to the people I have done research I was just curious to see what others might have really enjoyed.”

“Moi? Fibbing? Never!

ok...we did a great dayhike last year from Logan Pass to Lake McDonald (1/2 trail, 1/2 off-trail). It's a rugged 21 miles. You could potentially do it in 2 days and cut the mileage in half if you stayed at Sperry Chalet overnight. I highly recommend the hike either way.

Here's my Trip Report if you are interested:
http://www.adventurematters.com/trmontana4.htm

There's also a link to the TR that my better half wrote in there - it has great logistical info if you are interested.”

“my tr from a few years back is on here (i think still) somewhere - search for "Glacier"

but check out the Garden Wall and I particularly enjoyed Lake Francis.”

“Packers Roost TH north to Goat Haunt is a good trip.

HighLine trail from Logans Pass to Goat Haunt would be even better.

You need to shuttle a car into Canada. (Waterton) taking the Ferry boat across into Canada.
last edited: 5/16/08 8:32:41 AM”

“we did the Highline from Logan to Goat Haunt - then turned west and finished at Bowman Lake - GREAT trip.

Spent a couple hours laying in the grass by Waterton Lake soaking up sunshine and watching eagles fish. Took a little nap too.

:)


hard to beat - for sure.”

“Late June - - you'll have a lot of snow on the Highline Trail - the rangers may say nay to giving you a permit for that. just a heads up. The central Rockies in CO had a PHENOMENAL snow year - still looks like Winter west of the Divide and the seasonal melt hasn't really gotten started much on the east either - had more snow fall this week in the CO Rockies. Not sure if MT had the same or not.”

“did the above Logan to Goat Haunt taking the boat Waterton Lakes(Canada) hike 2 years ago, You will need your passport to get back into the US”

““we did the Highline from Logan to Goat Haunt - then turned west and finished at Bowman Lake - GREAT trip.

Spent a couple hours laying in the grass by Waterton Lake soaking up sunshine and watching eagles fish. Took a little nap too.

:)


hard to beat - for sure.”
doof
1:37:47 PM

Yeah, sounds like an even better route for sure. Easier car shuttle too. Whats the trail distance from Goat Haunt to Bowmen Lake.

We drove to and camped at Bowmen lake. The dirt road leading back in there, seemed long, if my memory serves me correctly? (30 miles of dirt road?) Bowmen Lake is beautiful!
last edited: 5/16/08 12:58:24 PM”

“I second the Highline to Grinnell Overlook trail. The view from the top of the wall is amazing. The additional goat trail along the wall is, for lack of a better word, scary. However, if it is dry and not windy, I would suggest it. The view is even better.

Other great dayhikes are Iceberg Lake, Grinnell Glacier, and Swiftcurrent Lookout. You can make a nice trip if you spend a night at the GP Chalet. Hit the Grinnell overlook trails on the way, have a meal and a night at the chalet, then hit the lookout trail the next morning before heading back.

There are numerous pics on my webshots page:

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/554202048PBMpSm

If you want backcountry nights, though, you better get permits, ASAP.”

“ditto on the permits! i had to change routes because of available sites when I went. I also recommend the Highline. Watch out for grizzlies :) I got to see one up pretty close (too close for comfort)”

“Thanks for all the info. some reall great ideas to add to my own. I am from oregon so I am well aware of all the extra snow this year. I was hoping to maybe get into some snow while up there. I think camping by one of those high lakes would be great with snow. I love winter camping, I am bringing my touring skis for sure!!”

“GNP? I'm so jealous...but happy for ya. I've dreamed of going to Glacier but it hasn't worked out that I've made it that far west. Besides hiking and camping there, I've always wanted to drive the highway to the sun.”

“Many Glacier up thru the Ptarmigan Tunnel down to Eliz Lake. E Lake to Glenns Lake. G. Lake to Stoney Indian. Sto to Fifty Mt. Fifty to Granite. Back to Many. About 50 miles. Did this trip Aug 2006. (Except that due to bear activity, Ptarmigan was closed so we went in above and hiked to Eliz Lake). Pics on Webshots. Type "kareengas" in the Search box.
BTW, make sure you secure fuel somehow. You cannot fly fuel canisters and when were there, NO ONE had any. At least not for the Pocket Rckets. Not even the outfitter at St. Mary's. Had the stoves...no fuel. The folks at the inn at Many came up with a couple of partially full cans and we bought Sterno. On our 1st day in, we passed some folks on their way out. They traded us the Sterno for one brand new can of fuel.
Best trip I've ever done.
last edited: 5/20/08 10:13:20 AM”

“Ptarmigan Tunnel to Ahern Pass via the goat trail on Pinnacle Wall.

Don't look down.

muahahaha”

“Don't look down.

muahahaha”
lilmountaingirl
heh heh heh”

“If you I can help with your trip let me know. I live about 45 min. east of Glacier.

We did get a lot of snow this year but we have had a hot spell that has melted a good bit of the snow. Now is the time to come if you like rafting.”

“Ignore my poor typing...

If I can help you...”

“Took a couple hundred pics, these were the ones fit to share.

We spent two nights in the Avalanche Lake Campground and then three nights in the backcountry at Kintla Lake and Upper Kintla Lake.



Gonna need to go back up there in a couple more years. This was my second trip to Glacier NP. Don't think I'll ever get enough of that place.”

“British Columbia Vows Ban on Mining, Drilling Near Glacier National Park

British Columbia won't allow energy and mineral exploration in the headwaters of Glacier National Park, the province's top official promised yesterday.

At issue is the province's management plan for the Flathead River Valley, a million-acre watershed straddling the border of Montana and British Columbia.

In Montana, which controls nearly two-thirds of the watershed, the land is off limits to energy development to protect Glacier National Park and the Flathead National Forest. But British Columbia's plan allows companies to propose development.

British Columbia Lt. Gov. Steven Point pledged to change the provincial plan yesterday, saying the province would work with Montana on conservation guidelines. Under the new plan, "mining, oil and gas development and coalbed gas extraction will not be permitted in British Columbia's Flathead Valley," he said during the annual Throne Speech.

The valley is coveted by energy companies wanting access to coal, coalbed methane and hardrock minerals. But environmentalists say energy development in Glacier's headwaters would be disastrous for natural resources and wildlife.

The two sides collided last December after MAX Resource Corp. struck gold in the valley. The company insisted any extraction would occur through underground mines with no discharge into the Flathead, but environmentalists and U.S. Sens. Max Baucus (D) and Jon Tester (D) of Montana pressured the province to ban development (Land Letter, Dec. 17, 2009).

http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/02/10/10greenwire-british-columbia-vows-ban-on-mining-drilling-n-75895.html”

“"British Columbia won't allow energy and mineral exploration in the headwaters of Glacier National Park..."

Glacier is the headwaters. Triple Divide Peak is smack dab in the thick of the park. From there, water drains to the Pacific, Atlantic, and Hudson Bay.

Just a bit'o trivia...”

“Going to the Sun Road is set to open today at midday.

We (and probably 10,000 other people) will probably head up and over on Saturday. I love that first trip of the "season" when the snow is still 10' high at the pass.”

“I would have loved to take that drive last fall (a few days before it closed) but it wasn't in the cards. Bummer.”

“Nice! It's cool driveing thru the snow canyon! We have a similar situation on Trail Ridge Road thru Rocky Mtn. Drove it the weekend after it opened back first of the month. pics are on my facebook.”

“I've been to Glacier twice and still haven't taken the drive. Some day....”

“Roam ~ I'll have to check your pictures. I've driven Trail Ridge but only in the summer - I bet it's gorgeous right after it opens. I'm surprised it opens so early - although I guess plowing there might be less challenging than on GTTS?

NC & tarabull ~ if you are ever back out here - let me know. You are welcome to crash at our place on your way to/from GNP. We are about 30-40 minutes from the West Glacier entrance.”

“They plow it to have it open for Memorial Day weekend. Most years it closes a couple of times after that but only for a few hours usually.

tb - man you GOTTA drive Going to the Sun sometime. One of the most amazing rides in the country.”

“The Beartooth Highway is another amazing drive if you ever have the chance!”

“We drove up GTTS on Saturday - with about 20,000 other people. Gorgeous day - the run off from the snowmelt made for some fabulous falls and rushing streams. Weeping Wall was crazy wet!

There wasn't much snow at all until about 1/2 mile or so below Logan Pass. It was a gorgeous day & nice for the road to be open.

I don't have my pics here at work (other than the one below) but I'll try and post some tonight.

'Squeak (Lucy) & I on the sidewalk at the Logan Pass Visitor Center:



The snow was about that high on both sides ~ there is still plenty of melting left to come!”

“awesome!!! I love the 'snow canyon' effect. I bet weeping wall did look crazy! That drive is much more dramatic than Trail Ridge in RMNP.”

“Weeping Wall was sobbing like a baby. lol I have some pretty cool pictures of it ~ my husband thinks it's funny to lock the windows so I can't roll them up and then get as close as he can to the wall. #$*&@!!

Didn't see any wildlife except a young buck near Apgar Village.”

“we started our hike to Goat Haught from there”