Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park, the Crown of the Continent, is a pristine ecosystem of mountains, lakes and the headwaters of streams to the west and east and contains many plant and animal species https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm. We will spend a week of world-class hiking with professional naturalists to see and learn much as possible about Glacier.

Day 1: All travelers should arrive to the Glacier Institute Field Camp between 3:00pm and 4:00pm. Those arriving to the Glacier Park International Airport can be picked up for transport to Field Camp with stop at grocery store. Over happy hour we will review the schedule for the week and risk management policies. After dinner we will go for evening walk to Quarter-Circle bridge.

Day 2: We will drive up to Logan Pass along the stunning Going to the Sun Road and hike the Highline Trail and to Hidden Lake Overlook, two of the Park’s most remarkable trails. Our local expert guides will give us an overview of the parks geology and the mile high glaciers that once carved these landscapes. Logan Pass is a wildlife-rich area, and we will keep an eye out for mountain goats, big horn sheep, and the gregarious hoary marmot.

Day 3: We will hike to the active fire lookout tower atop Huckleberry Peak and learn about fire ecology and adaptations of local flora and fauna. We will walk through mid-elevation montane forests into the subalpine zone and get a view of the Livingston range. There will be an evening presentation on glaciology and climate change.

Day 4: We will drive to the east side of the park to visit the Many Glacier Valley and hike past shining lakes and alpine meadows to Grinnell Lake, with stunning views of Grinnell Glacier.

Day 5: Options for today depend on group interest. Possibilities are ½ day rafting trip down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River (not included in trip fee), a short hike to Avalanche Lake to learn about the spectacular old growth cedar forests, visiting Apgar village, or enjoying some time at Lake McDonald.

Day 6: We will drive to the southern boundary of Glacier Park to the Two Medicine Valley. After hiking along Upper Two Medicine Lake, we will climb out of the glacially carved valley towards Cobalt Lake. We will learn about cultural history focusing on the Blackfeet people and their connection with Glacier National Park. Suspension bridges, moose ponds, and stunning peaks will keep us company on our journey to the frigid and beautiful alpine lake. 

Day 7: Our final day of hiking will lead us to the “Backbone of the Earth” where we will hike to Piegan Pass. A steady climb will lead us through talus fields and along meadows where we may see grizzly bears. Piegan Pass offers stunning views of the Many Glacier Valley thousands of feet below. We will learn about pikas, wolverines, ptarmigan, and other alpine habitants.

Day 8: The trip will end after breakfast. Transport is available to Glacier International Airport.

Trip Difficulty

Hikes will be 9 miles on average (range from 8-12 miles) with average elevation gain of 1,500 feet (range 400-2,700 feet) and at elevations of 5,000 to 8,100 feet. All hikers should have completed D4 and D5 hikes and expect speed of 2-2.5 mph for six to eight hours. Because of the real potential for grizzly bear encounters while hiking in Glacier National Park, it is not safe for people to become separated from the group. Therefore, it is imperative that you are able to maintain the hiking pace and be on time. Hikes are subject to change depending on trail and road closures.

Logistics

Getting There

We will be staying at the Glacier Institute Field Camp, located just inside the West Entrance to Glacier National Park. The nearest airport is in Kalispell, Montana, about 30 minutes from the Field Camp. Glacier Institute representative can help find the best time to book your flights. An alternative is to fly into Missoula, about three hours from the park, and rent a car. Southwest Airlines flies into Spokane, Washington, a six hour drive. Once hikers are signed up, we can discuss best options.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying at the Glacier Institute Field Camp which is rustic but comfortable. The camp is located on a bluff overlooking the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, and includes five sleeping cabins, a community bath house, classroom, library and kitchen. Each sleeping cabin has four or five twin beds, electricity and portable electric heater, but no running water, TV, or phone. A bottom sheet, blanket, and pillow are provided, but bringing a sleeping bag is recommended. The community bath house has flush toilets, sinks, and hot showers. All meals will be provided by the Glacier Institute staff. Breakfast is continental style and dinner is homemade; lunch fixings are provided for each participant to prepare their own lunch to eat on the trail. Vegetarians can be accommodated. Camp is shared with second hiker group. For more information see their website at www.glacierinstitute.org.

How to Sign Up

When signing up, you will be put on the waiting list. Trip leaders may contact you to determine your hiking ability. The TLs reserve the right to consider any registrant’s social and behavioral history within the AOC and to make the final determination as to whether the registrant is an appropriate candidate for this event.

Once you have been moved to the participant list, trip leader will send you information on how to register and pay. You will be asked to register and pay within a specified time frame. If you do not meet the deadline, you will be put back on the waiting list and another participant will be selected.

There will be a pre-trip planning meeting to discuss trip details and answer questions. Please feel free to contact Irene via email if you have any questions before then.

The trip fee is $1,025 and includes:

• Ground transportation to and from Kalispell/Glacier Park International Airport
• Rustic and comfortable shared lodging on bluff overlooking Wild and Scenic Middle Fork River
• Six outings led by professional naturalist guides trained in wilderness first aid and bear safety
• Twenty-one meals. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day with coffee, snacks, appetizers, and desserts included. Vegetarian options available
• Two evening lectures
• All transportation to and from trailheads
• Park entrance fees

Not included:

Airfare, rental car if not flying into Kalispell, and optional rafting trip

The Trip Leader(s) for this event has (have) elected either to personally collect the funds that event participants are required to pay, or to require participants to pay funds directly to a third party. No funds will be paid to the Atlanta Outdoor Club for this event. Therefore, by registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree to the following: (1) the monies paid by registrants will not be monitored, managed, or otherwise accounted for by the Atlanta Outdoor Club; (2) that the Atlanta Outdoor Club bears no financial responsibility for this event; and (3) you waive any and all claims against the Atlanta Outdoor Club, and hold the Atlanta Outdoor Club harmless for the loss of any monies you paid for this event.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any paying registrant may request directly from the Trip Leader, prior to the event, a breakdown of funds collected, estimated expenses, and deposits made in anticipation of the event. Following the event, the Trip Leader must complete his or her financial accounting for the event, with supporting documentation, within 30 days of the completion of the event, and a paid registrant may request a breakdown of funds collected, money spent and supporting documentation after that time. If you are unable to obtain requested documentation, please contact the Director of Paid Events.

Full payment is due at the time you are provided the registration link.

The cancellation policy is listed on the registration website: cancellations 30 days before the event receive full refund less a 25% administration fee. No refunds are made within 30 days of the event. If there are hikers on the waiting list, we may be able to make a substitution. You may want to consider accident and travel insurance.