Glacier National Park Trip

“'Trip' is now posted...

'32oz”

“Hope we get in, if not I do have some info on the Wind River Range”

“I agreed that if we don't end up with a good draw, that we have a plan B (and maybe a plan C) in place somewhere else out west.”

“When I did it I just walked in and got a permit for the next morning...didn't cost 30 bucks, no forms...just watch the bear video and go.”

“I have also heard stories about people getting there and not getting permits. Those of use goingwant to do some hi country hikes. I am hearing that those permits are hard to get. Where did you hike? Any info you can give would be greatly appreciated..

'32oz”

“I talked to a Ranger at GNP today. While it is true that each 'campsite' in the back country only has room for 4 campers, each 'camp ground' has more then 1 'campsite'. I am looking at an itinery where we may be able to get a group of 8 going...

Sign up if you are interested... I can't promise anythhing, but I'll try my best if I get 8 signed up..

'32oz

'32oz”

“Full Moon said he was in too last time we talked.”

“How many days is this trip? I am assuming that it isn't two whole weeks long.”

“Mocs, we are looking at about 5-6 days of hiking... I will probably be out there longer doing either a series of day hikes, or hiking in another area/state... Hmmm maybe I'll just post a second trip.. LOL


'32oz

ps I have posted links and threads on the actual trip page if anyone is interested.. My ADD has kicked in and I am determined to plan the perfect hike..LOL”

“So long as I only have to take 5 days off of work, I should be in.

Thanks for working so hard on this 32oz.

BTW: any of the hikes and locations you mentioned would be fine with me!”

“Mocs, I'm thinking we will be hiking Aug 3-7, or 10-14 to make use of the weekends.

Depending on the hike we chose/get we may have to stretch it a half a day on either end.

From talking with the several of the hikers in my club who have done this, 10 miles a day is 'daoable' and this leaves time for dayhikes/exploring around the campsites..

'32oz”

“I thought we were doing the last week of July??????”

“We pushed it back due to the possiblilty of trail closings... It really doesn't matter to me, I just don't want to get out there and have trails snowed in...

And while a week may not matter, we missed some trail openings by 1 freakin' day at Crater National Park this summer...

'32oz”

“GNP: Dub, Troy, and I did a trip like you posted in 2007.

Yes, there is a lottery for campsites. It can be difficult to nail down EXACTLY what you want thru the lottery system. In other words, BE FLEXIBLE. Even if you go to GNP with no plans at all, you won't be left out.

My suggestion is to go thru the lottery system and try.....you might "win", but don't count on it. If the itinerary fails, just go any way. Plan on going to a ranger station at 7am(ish) at your first chance. Half of the back country sites are left open on a first come - first serve policy. You will def find a trip you will like even if the lottery thing goes belly-up.

After meeting with the ranger you will be set for the NEXT day and forward (prob NOT that first day). Plan on a day hike like Highline or Grinnell Glacier for your first day as a dayhike.

GNP is amazing.”

“Thanks for the info..

So if I show up early and am going into the backcountry, they will give me permits for 5 or 6 days?

The more I look into this the more it looks like I can piece together a pretty d@mn good hike even using the 'regular' first come first served campsgrounds..


Without getting too detailed, what hikes/trails/sights did you do/see.

Thanks again..

'32oz”

“What chin sez is correct. They hold some back and also some people don't show. I got to the Apgar backcountry office at 730 and was first in line. This was July 3 for the next morning.

I did Red Gap Pass from Many Glacier to Standing Indian out through Ptarmigan Pass back to Many Glacier.

Some trails were closed due to snow but on the way out I talked to some people and was told all trails opened up on the 5th.

Be flexable and work with the ranger on duty and they will do their best to help you get what you want.

I say just go and do it...personally I wouldn't pay the bucks. Plan two or three routes and have them wrote down and hand them to the Ranger that is what I did. They love the KISS method.”

“by all means go thru the lottery - come up with at least two alternate itineraries and submit them on the earliest possible date - you'll most likely get something close to what you want - be sure and read the instructions very carefully on the nps website and follow it to the letter. when we did our trip a couple years ago we didn't get exactly what we wanted but we got really close and had a great trip.”

“32oz: Here is one of the threads from our trip. See if those pics make you drool......heheh http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/49135.php

About the lottery. Keep your group to 4 people. DO NOT have 5 people on your list as the sites you are competing for are for 4. If you have 5 or more then you need two sites.

The designated sites are small. They are designed for two tents with two campers in each tent. 4 solo tents would be problematic. 3 tents is doable.

Plan a full day for the Highline Trail. There is a MUST side trail to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook and even a side trail (again a must) once you get up to the overlook. Do not take this secondary side trail if you fear heights or the winds are real high.

Here is a pic of Troy coming back down from the side trail (no name, not marked, off to the right). One bad step would lead to a bad day.....


last edited: 10/07/08 1:29:31 PM”

“Thanks for the advice/links/photos.. I appreciate it..

I am going to go ahead and apply for the permit. While I am probably pissing away $30 (hopefully the NPS will make good use of it) it would be awesome to go out there knowing that we have a definate plan.

As for keeping it under 4, yeah, it makes it a little harder to plan with a bigger group. Some of the camping areas only have 1 site that is reservable, so I may have to work around it.

Thanks again, for the input..

'32oz”

“Let me know if I can help with anything. I live about 50 min east of Glacier.”

“THANK YOU!!! I appreciate the offer... I will keep that in mind moving forward... Heck depending how things work out you might be able to join us for a day or two (or however many you like.)

'32oz”

“Yeah...what he said!!!”

“Is Full Moon in?

'32oz”

“I think he is!!! Last I heard from him he said that he was in!

HOW WOULD YOU ALL FEEL ABOUT DRIVING????? I have a Suburban and if we all rode together we would save a bundle.Think about it if we split gas 4 ways it would surely be cheaper that 600-700 bucks airfare and we wouldn't have to rent a vehicle once we got there!

We could make it in 2 days switching off drivers...well except for eagleJ LOL!
last edited: 10/08/08 10:36:15 AM”

“I don't mind driving except, I am hoping to take as little time as possible off from work.”

“If you drive I might be interested.”

“Be sure to check out Ptarmigan tunnel (lots of bears!). I did that hike last weekend and it is really cool. Depending on what my schedule is I might try to catch up with you guys at some point along the hike. At least one of you needs to bring a pack rod because some of the more obscure alpine lakes have great fishing.”

“One of the hikes that I am looking at includes heading out from the campground ar Many Glacier and heading nort up to Ptarmigan tunnel..

I believe that wethen continue Norththen west to The CDT and follow it back south..

My map is at home.. there is another hike that I would like to ask you about.. I'll have to get back to you on it though as I can't remember all of the names..

thanks for your input..

'32oz”

“We could make it in 2 days switching off drivers...well except for eagleJ LOL!
ouch!!!”

“LOL! You scare me man!!!”

“I didn't see a bear going through the tunnel but I did watch a pair of coyotes trying to catch pikas for the litter by Ptarmigan Lake.

The climb up from Helen Lake is a mutha! Good fishing there too.”

“I meant Elizabeth lake”

“Spent a couple hours this weekend in the Rock Spring Shelter looking at GNP books and Maps... Came up with a couple good hikes..



Glacier Nation Park
Revamped Hike Options

Part 1 (Days 1-3) Highland Trail

Day 1 The Garden Wall (Hike 17)
Logan Pass to Granite Park
Mileage 7.6 miles
Elevation Gain 830 ft
Elevation Loss 3,026 ft
Maximum elevation 7,280 ft
Difficulty easy
Campground used Granite Park


Day 2 The Northern Highline (Hike 18)
Granite Park to Fifty Mountain Campground
Mileage 11.9 miles
Elevation Gain 1,910 ft
Elevation Loss 1,780 ft
Maximum elevation 7,440 ft
Difficulty Moderate
Campground used 50 Mountain Campground


Day 3 The Northern Highline (Hike 19)
Fifty Mountain Campground to Goat Haunt Ranger Station
We will be level for the first 5 miles before descending to the ranger station.
Mileage 10.5
Elevation Gain
Elevation Loss 2,600 ft
Maximum elevation 7,000 ft
Difficulty Moderate
Campground used Goat Haunt Campground (?)



Part 2 Option 1 (Days 4-6) Boulder Pass (Hike 1 Reversed)

Day 4 Goat Haunt Campground to Hole in the Wall Campground
Mileage 10.2 miles
Elevation Gain (next 3 days) 3,470 ft
Elevation Loss (next 3 days) 2,510 ft
Maximum elevation 7,478 ft
Difficulty Moderately Difficult
Campground used Hole in the Wall


Day 5 Hole in the Wall Campground to Upper Kintla Campground
Mileage 9.6 miles
Elevation Gain
Elevation Loss
Maximum elevation
Difficulty
Campground used Upper Kintla Campground


Day 6 Upper Kintla Campground to Kintla Lake
Mileage 12
Elevation Gain
Elevation Loss
Maximum elevation
Difficulty
Campground used Kintla Lake (unless people have to leave)”

“Alternate trip for those of you who plan to drive and need to get back..

All hike numbers are based on the AFALCONGUIDE book previously referenced..


Glacier National Park
Revamped Hike Options (2)

Part 1 (Days 1-3) Highland Trail

Day 1 The Garden Wall (Hike 17)
Logan Pass to Granite Park
Mileage 7.6 miles
Elevation Gain 830 ft
Elevation Loss 3,026 ft
Maximum elevation 7,280 ft
Difficulty easy
Campground used Granite Park


Day 2 The Northern Highline (Hike 18)
Granite Park to Fifty Mountain Campground
Mileage 11.9 miles
Elevation Gain 1,910 ft
Elevation Loss 1,780 ft
Maximum elevation 7,440 ft
Difficulty Moderate
Campground used 50 Mountain Campground


Day 3 The Northern Highline (Hike 19)
Fifty Mountain Campground to Goat Haunt Ranger Station
We will be level for the first 5 miles before descending to the ranger station.
Mileage 10.5
Elevation Gain
Elevation Loss 2,600 ft
Maximum elevation 7,000 ft
Difficulty Moderate
Campground used Goat Haunt Campground (?)



Part 2 Option 2 (Days 4-5) Bowman Lake (Hike 2 Reversed)

Day 4 Goat Haunt Campground to Brown Pass Campground
Mileage 8.7 miles
Elevation Gain (next 2 days) 2,700 ft
Elevation Loss (next 2 days) 2,510 ft
Maximum elevation 6,255 ft
Difficulty Moderately Difficult
Campground used Hole in the Wall


Day 5 Brown Pass Campground to Bowman Lake Campground
Mileage 13..6 miles
Elevation Gain
Elevation Loss 2,200 ft
Maximum elevation 6,255
Difficulty Moderate
Campground used Bowman Lake Campground”

“Just remember when planning that there is no shuttle service for the roads on the west side of the park, the one that runs from the entrance up to Canada. They are rough unpaved roads that take hours to drive, I know that put a big dent in our trip, we had to reroute just because of that.”

“that part 1 plan is awfully similar to our trip - except we went from 50 mtn to Kootnai Lake and then to Lake Francis, with a rest break at Goat Haunt.

You'll absolutely LOVE the hike along the HIghline Trail.

We finished up our trip at Bowman Lake. It does take some time to drive from there to Logan Pass, we spent a day on the front end of the trip to drive up to Bowman Lake and spent the night at the car campground there before driving car #2 back to Logan Pass to start the hike.
last edited: 10/12/08 4:26:18 PM”

“I postd this on the wrong thread, but now i'm glad i did..

Looks like we are going to need a littl emore time then I though to shuttle...

Thanks for the advice, i appreciate it..

'32oz”

“why can't I post a picture......grrrrrrrr
last edited: 10/12/08 6:07:49 PM”

“sorry sorry sorry... i've been so busy with work lately. YES I AM IN!!! And I DEFINITELY would be up for driving. I don't mind driving long distances at all... especially drivin' that nice suburban :)”

“TT'ers going: 32ozgatorade noshootin Spam
eagleJ Mocs123 Creek Dancer Full Moon Scubadore..

I won't make it private yet, and will start a stand by list...

For the 8 that are in, I will start using the boards on the trip page for info..

We will work out the details on the trip page..

I will probably be flying out and driving to GNP, I am still hoping to get some additional hiking done at GNP or on and around Mount Rainier...

'32oz”

“Thanks for putting this together 32oz. If you need me to do anything let me know.”

“same here 32... any needed help you ask!”

“about Canada,you will need your passport,we were there a couple years ago ( Logan Pass to Goat Haunt)”

“I have a passport if needed”

“If this is your first time to Glacier, don't bother with the Canadian side.....WAY too commercial.”

“Isn't the trail form Logan's Pass to Goat Haunt entirely in the US?

We are on teh southern end of Goat Haunt which should pose a problem as far as a passport...


We will then head west, so the entire trip eould be in the US.. I don't have my map with me so I'm going of the top of my head but I don't think that we re ever in Canada..

'32oz”

“on our trip we shuttled one of our cars to the Canada boarder (Waterton town site) we ended at Goat Haunt but had to take the boat from there to Waterton Lakes which is in Canada”

“I had a feeling you might have done something with Waterton Lakes.. We will opefully be heading west from Goat Haunt so we won't be ventruring into Cannuck Country.

'32oz”

“we had a great trip, saw (4) griz, did the the Dawson/Pittamanican loop for a day hike and the above mentioned 3 day trip
I saw that you mention the Sawtooths as an alternate site I just got back (1st of Sept)from there very-very-very beautiful
anyway ,have a great trip”

“I wasn't impressed with Waterton Lakes and the border guards gave me a rough time coming back to the US because of all the backpacking gear in the car.


Fav pic of waterton that I took:

”