2023-08-12 Glacier-003 Glacier National Park

<<< 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: 2023-08-12 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: 7:00 am.

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

Day 3: Meeting Time: 7:00 am.

Highline Trail in Logan Pass area. (D5: 13 miles/ 2,700 feet ascent)

Day 4: Meeting Time: 7:00 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: 7:00 am.

Pitamakan Pass/ Dawson Pass Loop in Two Medicine area. (D6: 20 miles/ 4,000 feet ascent/ counterclockwise loop)

Day 6: Meeting Time: 7:00 am.

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

Day 7: Meeting Time: 7:00 am.

Piegan Pass trail in Logan Pass area. (D4: 13 miles/ 2,100 feet ascen)

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 and trained well 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.

<<< How to qualify >>>

You can easily finish my Kennesaw 10 hike in 4 hours; or personally I know your hiking ability and fitness condition is qualified.

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.

I’ll set up a group chat in WhatsApp for our group conversation once our roster is set. You can use it to facilitate sharing lodging and rental car conversation.

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

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

If you miss the payment date, you will be removed from the list. 

There is no refund for cancellation.