Beckitx

Hi, we have free airfare we have to use up. We have always wanted to see GNP. Our dilemma is that we can only go the first week of June 2012. I realize that the GTTS road will not be open, but how about other things? We will hike mostly. Can we go on some of the GTTS road or will the whole thing be shut down?
How long does it take to drive from the west entrance to the east on 2?

Thanks in advance,
Becki in Tx.

Connie

I wouldn't go if the road isn't open and I don't think it ever is that early. A lot of roads at high elevation in the Rockies are not open that early.

The southern route isn't anything special. I would go somewhere else at that time and I love GNP.

Their website is very informative--better than most nps websites. Check to see when most trails open. If they are open, you may need to get Yak Trax or something similar.

longhorn55

Two years ago, we went to GNP during the last week of June. The GTTS road opened toward the end of our visit, which I believe was one of the earliest openings in recent years. Enough of the road was open on each side that we could get to many hiking trails. Although a number of hiking trails were open, the popular higher-elevation trails were still closed.

If you would be satisfied hiking the low elevation trails at either end of the GTTS and/or those located in the Two Medicine and Bowman Lake areas (Polebridge entrance), then I think you could still have a great vacation. This is exactly what we ended up doing and every hike we did was good and the scenery was fabulous everywhere. We also did a day trip to the National Bison Range in Moises and there were a couple places you could get out of the car to hike to see the landscape and the animals.

We spent 6 nights at GNP, 3 in West Glacier, 2 in East Glacier (for Two Medicine) and 1 at Many Glacier. This combo worked out well for us and we were able to see a lot of different areas of the park. While the drive along Highway 2 wasn't "anything special", it was an easy road to drive and it probably took us just over an hour to drive between West Glacier and East Glacier.

spirobulldog

For me, I wouldn't go unless GTTS road was open and the hikes at Logan Pass and Many Glacier. We attempted a trip this past summer for July 15. The road opened like the day before. Almost all of the trails I had wanted to do were still closed. Then on top of that our plane was delayed due to a freak hailstorm that damaged 45 airplanes in Denver. We couldn't get a flight out for 72 hours. So, we got our money back on the airfare. However, we did loose about 1500 on a cabin that we had rented. Glacierpark Inc. does not refund for any of the red bus tours, boat tours, Tea at Waterton, etc. We lost about $2000. So, we plan on going at the end of July or beginning of August in 2013. I will get insurance next time. And that's the last time I rent on VRBO.

John

I doubt if the GTTS road will be open all the way that early. This year, due to unusually heavy and late snowstorms, the road didn't open completly till July 13, which was the latest openng ever.
Opening the road is weather dependent so it is impossible to set an opening date. However you should know the park is open 24/7 365 days a year with limited access to hiking trails in the winter.
Unless we have another heavy snow year I'm pretty sure the road on the west side will be open by your arrival time as far as Avalanche Creek. The east side probably open as far as Jackson Glacier overlook. (see the GP web site for these locations )
There will be lower elevation hiking trails opened by your arrival but higher elevations will be snow packed with snow shoes or crampons and ice ax recommended.
West Glacier to East Glacier on hiway 2 will take an hour or less depending on traffic and how fast you drive. From East Glacier to the east entrance of the park will be approx. another hour.
Come on out!!!

Connie

You may be able to get part of the way on each side and do some hiking but you will not be able to see most of the spectacular scenery that makes GNP worth seeing.