Glacier National Park Trip

“MAYP? I;m afraid ro ask...

Spinndle, I never really got involved over on white blaze with the not clinbing rainier thread.. What eve happened with that gang..

Is there anyone going to be out there?

'32oz”

“I may ask you if I can at least leave a bunch of gear at your place.. I really don't want to have my Rainier gear in a car for a week... I don't know how secure things are out there..

'32oz”

“32oz the economy took it's toll on that group and it's dissolved, unfortunately.”

“How about the PNW locals? I only know them by name...

'32oz”

“I'm not sure what they are up to. I'll ask.”

“No problem about leaving gear at our place.

I don't know about hiking...I'm back to work the first of August and a whirlwind ensues with school starting up. At most, we'd be able to do a dayhike on the weekend (our little one will be 11 months around that time - she dictates our hiking schedule right now. lol)

So...32oz is MAYP. I guess I'll need more beer, carb-loaded food and plenty of wood. Got it. :)”

“Thanks lmg.. Now about those acronyms...

is there a guide book somewhere?

'32ozMAYP
last edited: 6/04/09 6:41:12 AM”

“Oh wow (sniff).. I just googled MAYP.. I am humbled...

...anyone ready for a beer?

'32oz”

“Are we ever not? ;)

There are MAYP standards to uphold Mr.! Catch up!

I just pinged the Seattle girl-Posse primaries for you on facebook.”

“I need to get a better picture then...

'32oz”

“There's a couple in my webshots from T-day weekend, if you want them.”

“Is that the one with CP ENS Pennsy's and my butts?

'32oz”

“Yeah. *sigh* Good times.”

“Hey 32oz I'm definitely out on this trip. I've joined a trip to Evolution Basin in the Sierras. I hope y'all take a lot of pictures and look forward to a trip report.”

“Hey 32, I work in Hopewell twice per month, maybe we can get together and talk over the GNP trip. Send me a note at noshootin@yahoo.com”

“you have mail...

'32oz”

“OK.. we are getting close to that time...

Who is definately going? I know noshootin' is pretty much in, but who else out of the originals...

I have a couple other people expressing interest..

Here is my itinary...

I will already be out there, so I will be able to get bear spray and fuel and all that.. I will be dropping HM off at the Seattle Airport on Saturday morning and then heading back to Glacier, so I can either pick you up at Glacier or pick you up in MT.

I will alreaady have a two man tent, stove, etc out there, so you all can travel pretty light..

I am heading out on to the smokies today and will be back next Friday... At that time we need to sit down and really hash things out..

Fullmoon and Scubadore are you still in?

LMG (since I know you will be reading this).. I'm sorry I cant get up to PA while you are there.. I will actually be up there late on the 12th.. so if you fall in love with God's Country and decide to stay, I will be around on the 13th)

'32oz”

“No worries - we're outta here tomorrow!

I'll email you my cell number later in the month so you can let me know when you're in town. You're still welcome to leave gear at our place if you need to! :)”

“WOOHOO!!!!

My glacier extravaganza begins on teh 11th with a loooooong road trip and I can't freakin WAIT!”

“LOL.. See I just knew you would read this!!!
get my cell # from one of the PA boneheads, I would like to talk to you the week of the July 13th...

I have a few questions yet before I get out there...

Thanks a ton!!!

'32oz”

“I will be expecting a full trip report when you get back.. have a blast (as if THAT won't be hard to do)..

'32oz”

“sniff....

Have a great time everyone.”

“I shall trade with spindle. A beer for your number. lol”

“He's a cheaper date than that.

We'll talk. ;)”

“I am not cheap.. just frugal....


'32oz”

“You're in luck...there's a Frugals in Kalispell!

http://www.frugalburger.com/locations.php

I don't recommend it though...better food & fun at Moose's. :D

http://www.moosessaloon.com/”

“email sent, sounds like you will not be in town next week”

“had a great trip, took a ton of pics. I'll do a TR and post the pics later, haven't had a chance to look at them yet.

Got rained on a lot the first day, but then the weather cleared and we had a spectacular time.

Saw black bear, mountain goat and a whole host of the usual mountain critters.”

“Left Seattle on Saturday after dropping Highmaintance off at the Seatac Airport, and began the 550 mile drive to Glacier and the Apgar Visitor Center.

Took a half an hour break near Spokane WA to climb up and take a few shots of the Wild Horse Monument off of I 90.

Arrived in Apgar around 11:00 so I just crashed in my car. On Sunday I met Lightfoot at the Permit Station. After showing the lady my permit and asking if there was anything we could do to eliminate the long shuttle, we we allowed to change the permit to this.

I

Start at Packers Roost.

Monday 20.3 miles 3585 elevation gain 2845 elevation loss Kootenai Lake CG

Tuesday 9.1 miles 1055 feet elevation gain 200 ft loss Lake Francis Campground

Wednesday 7.9 miles 2215 gain 19 loss Boulder Pass CG

Thurs 10.9 o gain 3280 loss Kintla Lake CG

Fri 6.3 miles flat

ADVISORIES Itinerary not recommended; Distance/Elevation


Since we now had Sunday off we took the shuttle to Logan Pass. what befell my eyes was awe inspiring. Mist even more gorgeous then that at Carver's Gap seem to just pour out of the sky... Lightfoot and i started to hike the high line trail, walked about 15 minutes, looked at each other, said this is BS, and took the shuttle back to the CG.. After setting up my tent and eating lunch, we did what any backpacker would do..... headed into town for some beers..

We arrived at the Glacier Grill in some town that starts with a C, and proceeded to down two pitchers”

“Can't wait to see pics!”

“Sorry I missed you while you were here!! Did you have a safe place to stash your gear?!

(the town you were in is Coram)

GNP doesn't suck, eh? :)”

“Left Seattle on Saturday after dropping Highmaintance off at the Seatac Airport, and began the 550 mile drive to Glacier and the Apgar Visitor Center.

Took a half an hour break near Spokane WA to climb up and take a few shots of the Wild Horse Monument off of I 90.

Arrived in Apgar around 11:00 so I just crashed in my car. On Sunday I met Lightfoot at the Permit Station. After showing the lady my permit and asking if there was anything we could do to eliminate the long shuttle, we we allowed to change the permit to this.

Start at Packers Roost.

Monday 20.3 miles 3585 elevation gain 2845 elevation loss Kootenai Lake CG

Tuesday 9.1 miles 1055 feet elevation gain 200 ft loss Lake Francis Campground

Wednesday 7.9 miles 2215 gain 19 loss Boulder Pass CG

Thurs 10.9 o gain 3280 loss Kintla Lake CG

Fri 6.3 miles flat

ADVISORIES Itinerary not recommended; Distance/Elevation

3 times the woman said that she wouldn't advise us to do the first day, but since she could get us up to the Boulder Pass Trail anyother way, she finally relented.

Since we now had Sunday off we took the shuttle to Logan Pass. what befell my eyes was awe inspiring. Mist even more gorgeous then that at Carver's Gap seem to just pour out of the sky... Lightfoot and i started to hike the high line trail, walked about 15 minutes, looked at each other, said this is BS, and took the shuttle back to the CG.. After setting up my tent and eating lunch, we did what any backpacker would do..... headed into town for some beers..

We arrived at the Glacier Grill in some town that starts with a C, and proceeded to down two pitchers of the best scottish ale I have ever had (I need to google to find the name).

On Monday we awoke and drove to Packers Roost. We hit the trail about 7:15 and started up the Flat Top Mountain Range. We walked through a huge burn area, and I noticed that the flowers looked exactly like those at Rainier. The clouds quickly cleared up and the hike was beautiful. We went past Flattop CG and met a few hikers, who informed us that the CG wasn't full the night before as the ranger had told us (we were to find out that many of the 'full' camp grounds weren't.

We continued to climb up to 50 Mountain CG, the sights becoming even better.. Here we rested, looking out over the view and talking with a couple from Germany.

Then it was time for the decent to Kooteni CG.. I will let the pictures tell the story, but oh was it gorgeous. We were met at the CG by several hikers and 5 moose... it was now about 5, so we set up camp, ate dinner and sat down and watched the moose.


Arrising early Tuesday we continued our hike down to Waterton Lake. Given the short mileage we took an extended break here, enjoying the view and looking at the nature exhibit. Then it was on to Lake Francis. On our way we took another break at Lake Janet about 1.5 miles west of Lake Francis. Arriving at Lake Francis we noticed the wind starting to pick up. We pitched our tents with mine being set up so i could enjoy the gorgeous waterfall accross the lake. We could feel the wind getting stronger and stronger and it continued all through the night.

On Wednesday we awoke to rain. I was dissapointed as this was the day we were to go past hole in the wall and boulder pass... It rained most of the morning, the clouds breaking once in a while, and while we could still see the sights, [icture taking was pretty much shot... We took a break to get out of the rain at hole in the wall and continued on to Boulder Pass. We could feel the temperature starting to drop.

I would do this whole trip over again just for these 8 miles. Boulder pass was incredible. Probably my favorite part of the trip. As you hike up to it it is like you are on this giant runway.. the trail is all rock marked with cairns. It was raining, but I did manage to get a few pictures on the west side of the pass (the east was actually better).

We arrived at camp at 12:00. I was hoping that giving a cleaing in the weather I could hike back up to the pass, but the clearing never came.

We spent the rest of the day in tents when it was raining, and drying our clothes when it wasn't. I also spent time planning my next trip out there...

On thrusday we awoke to more rain... While we didn't say anything right away, both of us new that we would be combining the last 2 days into one.. Once down to teh lake elevation, there wouldn't be thatt hard a hike, and with only 6.3 miles scheduled for the next day, we both figured we might as well just get them done...

8 miles into the hike I told Lightfoot I was going to head to the Campgrond at the base of Kintla and he agreed.. it rained on and off for 17 miles, and by the time we hit Kintla we both just wanted to get out of the rain.

We arrived at 4:00pm. We were now 42 miles from are car, but as any well prepared hikers does, we had packed our thumbs.
There were few campers there, and the park ranger told us we might as well just set up our tents and relax. We wouldn't be getting anywhere until tomorrow..

Then Marianne (a camper from SF invited us to warm up by her campfire).. I just wanted to dry out so I eagerly accepted.. then fate smiled on us..

I couple from TX (the husbands name was Jack) had driven 45 miles up a dirt road so he could fish for an hour. He decided to give us a ride back to our car...

To give you a feeling for how bad this road was, it took 2 hours to do about 38 miles... At 7:30 we were back at our cars, and at 9:30 we were sitting in the Glacier Grill ordering a pitcher of scottish ale...

While the weater sucked, the hike and sites were amazing...

Pictures coming tonight....

'32oz”

“I was trying to get in touch with spindle to get your number... I never did get in touch with you before we left...

God it was beautiful... I stopped for a little at the town west of teh park.. I don't have the map.. It was really cool, if I had to do it again i would have stayed there for a night.. The weather was bad though and it got worse on Friday...

'32oz”

“That road is most likely the inside (or outside) N. Fork road. I made that drive a few weeks ago to stay in a fire lookout and I thought my jeep was going to fall apart.”

“We drove up to Hornet Lookout last weekend for the night - they were working on grading the North Fork up to the Camas Road but from Camas to Polebridge was like driving on a mega-washboard. We were *hoping* our Jeep would fall apart so we'd have an excuse to buy a new one. lol From Polebridge to Whale Creek wasn't bad.

That stretch to Kintla is brutal though - we drove it when I was 8 1/2 months preggo last year and I thought the baby was going to fall out. :D

Sorry you had crap weather, 32oz ~ I was actually thinking about you and wondering how it was going. Can't wait to see your pics - 5 moose! Did you see any sheep, goats or grizzlies? Usually the goats and big horns are out en masse at Logan Pass. :)”

“That stretch to Kintla is brutal though - we drove it when I was 8 1/2 months preggo last year and I thought the baby was going to fall out. :D




Lol! What a quote!”

“Oops. Sorry 32oz. I thought everyone knew my cell phone revulsion. :-(

I don't have LMG's # anymore, anyway. My last phone gave up the ghost and took my contact list with it.”

“Yeah, that road to Kintla Lake is a bone jarring ride for sure. But it's worth it - that sectoin of the park is spectacular.

The Kootenai area and Waterton to Boulder Pass may be the best scenery on the planet - its certainly up there.

Another couple of years and I'd like to go back (again) and go east to west across the northern section of the whole park.

sucks that you had so much rain man. We got pretty damp the first two days we were there, but then rest of our trip was super nice.”

“Great trip report and sounds like a great trip in spite of the weather. Looking forward to the pictures. Thanks for sharing.”

“We drove south on the inside fork road. Jack had taken the outside fork road north to pole ridge and then figured that the inside road couldn't be any worse...

I forgot to mention, we woke up to 2 mountain goats 3 feet from the tents at boulder pass... I got two shots, but i was pretty much just sticking my arm out of the tent and shootinf under the fly.. It was raining at that time...

Roam it really was amazing.... I am thinking a ruturn trip in 2012... (need to do the Wonderland Trail and JMT first)..

'32oz”

“lilmountaingirl - We stayed at Hornet Lookout a few weeks ago. The bear grass was amazing and the sunset was awesome. That hike up to the lookout is a VERY long mile.

We just got back from hiking to Grinnel Glacier today and we came across 4 griz, 2 moose, and numerous sheep and goats. That hike was great.”

“A friend of mine just got back from a 6 day (Aug 13-19) and had to deal with all the rain/sleet annd snow in the back country. Is the Scottish Ale as good as it sounds?

Hope the weather holds up!”