amyc

We'll be in GNP September 9 - 12. We are entering the park from the Southeast staying our first night in Apgar Village cabins the 9th. We are then hiking to the Granite Chalet for our second night, day three we plan to drive the remainder of Going to the Sun road and get over to Many Glacier Lodge for our third night on the 11th. We then plan to drive up to Wateron for the forth day and stay at Prince of Wales Lodge on the 12th. After that...we are planning to make the drive to Yellowstone in two days. Does this sound feasible? I'm starting to wonder if we have bitten off more than we can chew. Thoughts?

Connie

I don't know how long it takes to hike in and out of Granite Chalet but it otherwise seems doable to me.

Some people will think it is too much running but we like to see as much as possible and obviously you do as well.

GaryB47

This sounds very doable to me. If you hike the highline trail to Granite park,you can hike out to Going to the Sun road at the Loop which is only about 4 miles. The trip to Yellowstone is actually a one day trip of a little less than 500 miles from Waterton. If you campout,there are many campsites near Bozeman and Dillon to choose from.
Hope you have a terrific trip.

Patrick

Tell me about the Apgar Village cabins.
I'm assuming you have these reservations, right?

John

Hello from Northwest Montana.
Very do able and fun trip.
If you plan on hiking down to the loop from Granite chalet be aware that you will need to hitch hike BACK to Logan pass. Getting a ride is fairly easy.
Also be aware that from the chalet down to the loop is where last year's fire was. Therfore it will be kinda stark.
Have fun.

brookwood

Doable. I have done it myself.
Glacier - Yellowstone was done in the reverse direction, but you could do in one day if you were forced.

Since you are not, I have two suggestions. 1. Stop by Bozeman and visit the Museum of the Rockies. It has been upgraded recently and it is very well done. 2. Consider going fron Bozeman to Red Lodge and entering via the Beartooth Highway. It should still be open.

The hike out to the chalet at Granite Park is about 7 miles, but it is fairly level as a high mountain trail goes.

Along the way, there is a side trail that leads uphill to a break in the Garden Wall where you can overlook the Grinnel Glacier, or what is left of it.
I suggest taking the detour if you have any steam left. Be careful. The wind blows fiercely through that notch. I had to lie on my stomach to look over for fear of being blown over the side.

I hope you are not disappointed with the Prince of Wales. It is a creaky old building. The service is first class, and you cannot beat the view!!

The best way out of there is through Cardston and take a provincial road 501 over to a junction just north of the border at Sweetgrass - Coutts.

I suggest taking your passport if you have one. Otherwise you will need your birth certificate and an official photo ID. You never know what kind of mood the US border people will be in.
They might let you by with no documents like in the old days, or they might give you the 3rd degree even if you have a passport.

the Canadian folks will not give you any trouble if you answer the questions directly and honestly without any smart talk.

The only time I ever saw a vehicle searched was at the entrance station near Waterton. In response to the normal questions about alcohol, firearms, and tobacco, the driver of a VW van told the official that he had enough hootch to get all the Indians drunk and enough boom boom to blow up that end of Alberta. He was told to pull over to the side. I was next in line and I answered as politely as I could. The officer waved me on. As I left, I noticed that several officials were giving the van a thorough inspection. The insides of the van were rapidly becoming the outsides, including the spare tire.

Needless to say, I did not hang around to see if someone took the tire off the rim.

amyc

Thank you so much for all of the feedback! I really appreciate it! I hope that we aren't disappointed in the Prince of Wales or the Many Glacier as well...I'm a little nervous about some of the posts I've read that don't give very good reviews of either. (Although our guide books, both Fodors & Frommers, rate them both highly.) But, I think by the time we are done hiking each day we'll be very happy to have a warm spot to lay our heads!! I'm looking forward to the hike to Granite Chalet, I hear that it's a long but beautiful hike and not too difficult. I'll be sure to give a trip report when we return - after Glacier we are heading to Yellowstone for 5 days - Can't wait!! Thanks again! Amy

Photodog

There is a shuttle service which runs throughout the park. Not sure when they stop for the season. You could easily walk from Granite Park down to Many Glacier Lodge the following day and take the shuttle back to Logan Pass. I did this last July but stayed in the campground. This would save you from backtracking over the same landscape you did the day before and you get spectacular views of the three lakes you will pass going to the hotel.

Connie

I read the posts where people don't like the national park lodges too but to me it's about the character and ambience of the old, rustic buildings. Last year we stayed in the oldest part of Old Faithful Inn because I wanted it to be as rustic as possible--log walls and all.

I get the feeling you will like them too. Anyone who is hiking to a back country lodge will appreciate Many Glacier and Prince of Wales.

We would like to take that hike/stay as well. Please do give us a trip report.

bob_brown

I would backtrack for one good reason.
It is an entirely different view going back. When Logan Pass first comes into view, you will see it in all its splendor. It is quite a sight. The Garden Wall on your left; Logan straight ahead, and Lake Mcdonald at times visible on your right.

I have walked out from there twice, and I love that hike more than any other in Glacier, except perhaps the Sperry Chalet up to what is left of the Sperry Glacier. Not much more than an ice pack sized chunk now, down in a trench.

MarthaB

We got back from GNP a few weeks ago and, beside hiking, also enjoyed kayaking and canooing on gorgeous Lake McDonald at Apgar Village. (Didn't stay there). I believe each cost about $10 cash per hour to rent.