2022-08-20 Glacier-002 Glacier National Park

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REGISTRATION & PAYMENT REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page. This is a paid event with payment managed through the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for details; you will be given payment instructions after you sign up. Late payments are NOT accepted for this event, in any circumstance.

2022-08-20 Glacier-002 Glacier National Park

The Basics:

Event Type:

Adventure

Event Location:

Glacier National Park

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Aug 20 2022 7:00 am >> Sat, Aug 27 2022 7:00 pm

Registration Opens:

Tue, Mar 1 2022 7:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Apr 1 2022 7:00 pm

Event Duration:

8 Days

Difficulty Rating:

D6: Advanced

Distance:

66 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Bill Wey

Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.

Member Cost:

$25.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

5 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

<<< Summary >>>

Come join the like-minded adventurers for a weeklong exploration of the ‘Crown of the Continent’ Ecosystem. Venture out to see and enjoy Glacier Mountains, cerulean lakes, meadows bursting with wildflowers, the iconic Going to the Sun Road, and Glacier’s famous wildlife.

This trip will explore Glacier National Park in 8 days and 7 nights. It is designed for members with positive, adaptive, and flexible spirits. Good physical fitness and endurance, and solid AOC D5 records are required.

These carefully evaluated and selected daily outings are all among various top 10 lists published by trail experts for Glacier National Park, the number one hiking place in North America.

<<< Logistics >>>

We'll meet first thing in the morning from Day 2 to Day 7.

Meeting Place: West Glacier Mercantile, 150 Going-to-the-Sun Road, West Glacier, MT 59936.

<<< Itinerary >>>

Day 1: 2022-08-20 Saturday.

Arrive at Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, MT; and check in lodging. This is a good day to drive around the Flathead valley and stock up your grocery and all the supplies for the week.

Day 2: Meeting Time: 6:00 am.

Pitamakan Pass/ Dawson Pass Loop in Two Medicine area. (D6: 19 miles/ 4,000 feet ascent/ counterclockwise loop)

Day 3: Meeting Time: 6:00 am.

Highline Trail to Grinnell Glacier Overlook in Logan Pass area. (D5: 15.2 miles/ 3,400 feet ascent)

Day 4: Meeting Time: 9:00 am.

Hidden Lake Overlook trail in Logan Pass area. (D2: 3 miles/ 600 feet ascent)

Today is designed to be a short day. It can be used as a rest day, or anything you like such as horseback riding, white water rafting, drive around car sightseeing, etc.

Day 5: Meeting Time: 6:00 am.

Ptarmigan Tunnel & Iceburg Lake in Many Glacier area. (D5: 16 miles/ 2,800 feet ascent)

Day 6: Meeting Time: 6:00 am.

Grinnell Glacier trail in Many Glacier area. (D4: 11 miles/ 2,100 feet ascent)

Day 7: Meeting Time: 6:00 am.

Scenic Point trail in Two Medicine area. (D4: 8 miles/ 2,300 feet ascent)

Day 8: Our group event ends today.

<<< Difficulty Level >>>

Our event will be at the AOC D6 difficulty level. The continuous nature of daily outings requires all participants to be physically prepared and trained before taking this trip.

<<< How to prepare >>>

We all have to be physically prepared before taking on such an epic trip. Best physical conditions enable us to take in everything surrounding us and fully enjoy the amazing natural beauty rather than being out of breath and feeling tired every time going uphill. We must do fitness training a couple of times a week for a minimum 6 to 9 months, and also hiking the steepest mountain hills available to us. My favorite is Kennesaw Mt. which is local, beautiful, and very convenient.

<<< Bear Safety >>>

Bear safety by National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/safety.htm

Bear safety is common skill that every outdoor person should learn and master, e.g. carrying bear spray in the group, making noise in bear areas, and do not go solo, etc. Following a college student trail guide employed by the outfitter company on my previous guided trip with AOC to Glacier NP in 2018 makes us no more safer than applying our own bear safety skill. Going in the later summer when berries are mostly gone on the trails should help reduce the probability of bear encounter.

Let’s also put it into right perspective with published data showing most years, there are 3 fatal bear attack incidents on the continent, per year. But on average, this number decreases to 2.56 fatal incidents, per year. So don’t let any rare incidents making headlines stop you from exploring the majestic Glacier the way we like and enjoy.

Link to my previous guided trip with AOC to Glacier NP in 2018: https://www.atlantaoutdoorclub.com/event/details.asp?eventid=14803

<<< How to get there >>>

The nearest airport is Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, MT. This is the recommended airport to fly in without driving very long distance to the west entrance area of Glacier National Park.

<<< How to sign up >>>

This web page is designed so that you can only put yourself on the waiting list. Once you’re verified to be suitable for this trip, you will be moved to the participant list. A good reference is you can easily finish my Kennesaw 10 hike in 4 hours.

Solid AOC D5 records are required.

Required Items to Bring:

Glacier National Park has implemented a new "Vehicle Reservation Ticket" to control the traffic on Going-to-the-Sun road. This is in addition to the park entrance pass already existing. Please refer to info on its website. These tickets are limited and only offered online, not at the park. One ticket is good for 3 days per vehicle, and the cost is only $2.00, two dollars.

Daypack

Trail running/ hiking shoes

Rain gears

Layers of clothing suitable for the season

Personal hygiene items

Anything you like to bring

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Bear Spray, rental is available in the area

GPS/ABC watch

Camera

Tracking poles

Sunscreen

Bug repellant

First aid kits

Hat & sunglasses

Headlamp

Cell phone

Ear plugs

National Park American Beauty Pass or annual pass if you have

Spending money

Notes:

The payment of $25 only covers AOC Service Fee. All costs (transportation, lodging, meals & drinks, and etc.) are paid by members on their own.

Itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the trip leader.

Transportation

Everyone is responsible for his/her own transportation the entire trip, i.e. flights and rental cars. Sharing rental car is a commitment to coordinating and staying together the entire trip including flight schedule. Please be thoughtful when making such commitment.

Following web link: traditional rental care alternatives https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/rental-car-alternatives

Lodging

We will stay in the area not too far from the west entrance of Glacier NP as our home base. There are many towns in the area such as West Glacier, Coram, Martin City, Hungry Horse, Columbia Falls, Whitefish, and Kalispell etc. with plenty of lodging options.

VRBO, Airbnb, and Booking.com are popular sites among many others to compare, search, and book for lodging. There are also camping and lodging options inside the park provided by National Park Service.

Weather

Summer daytime temperatures in the Glacier National Park are averaging from 60 to 75F. It can be as high as near 90. Evening temperatures generally drop to 40s, and occasionally even low 30s. Weather in the Glacier Mountains can change quickly, so we must be prepared for variable weather conditions including sunny and rainy days, and even an occasional light snow. There are many areas with snow covered even in the middle of summer.

Meals

There are numerous restaurants and grocery stores in the area to choose from.

Super 1 Foods: 2100 9th St W Columbia Falls, MT 59912

Canyon Foods Supermarket: 8900 Hwy 2 E, Hungry Horse, MT 59919

Smith's Food and Drug: 419 Nucleus Ave, Columbia Falls, MT 59912

West Glacier Mercantile: 150 Going-to-the-Sun Road, West Glacier, MT 59936

Walmart Supercenter: 170 Hutton Ranch Rd Kalispell, MT 59901

Costco: 2330 US-93, Kalispell, MT 59901

Important information for paid events in which payment is managed through the AOC:

- Payment must be received by the payment due date and prior to participation in the event.

- Some paid events require a minimum number of registered participants. If that number is not met, the event will be canceled and refunds will be issued to those who have already paid.

- Third-party vendors often require damage deposits. Each registrant agrees to be liable for and required to reimburse the Atlanta Outdoor Club for any withheld deposits due to the actions of or damages caused by that registrant.

- No partial payments. All registrants must pay the posted Member Cost regardless of any agreement you may have with any party involved in the event.

- Read the event description carefully for additional information, and contact the trip leader(s) with any questions.

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost & Payment:

Member Cost:

$25.00/Person

Cost Includes:

A non-refundable AOC Service Fee $25 required by AOC.

The payment due date is April, 1, 2022.

If you miss the payment due date, you will be moved back to the waiting list.

Payment Cut Off:

Payment must be received by the AOC on Fri, Apr 1 2022.

Make a Payment:

Click here for the details. PLEASE PAY AFTER YOU HAVE SIGNED UP BELOW.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note:

There is no refund for cancellation.