Glacier NP Trip 2016

Old Aug 4th, 2015, 06:07 AM
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Glacier NP Trip 2016

Have been reading all previous posts but still need help. Would like to plan this for Sept 2016 after Labor Day. We would like to visit Apgar, Many Glacier, St Mary and Two Medicine areas of the park. I know the east side sounds like it is the most popular but we like to see all areas. Question is should we move from area to area or is one area close enough that you can visit and return, i.e. is Two Medicine close enough to Many Glacier Hotel that we could just stay there. I do not know the distances of each location. Suggestions? Appreciate advice!
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Old Aug 4th, 2015, 08:12 AM
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It depends what your interest are.

If you are a photographer then getting up early is a requirement. If wildlife is a priority then you want to be near it early and late.

I've been to Glacier a few times.

On one trip I wasted a day and drove over to the west side. There was one decent, half scenic hike. The waterfalls have no visible spot. Now I know.

I also spent a day in Two Medicine. While it's nice, there's nothing there that other parts don't have except more peace and quiet. It hiking with very few people around then it's fine.

For me, Many Glacier is Priority One. Beautiful scenery and hikes and wildlife.

GTTS Road until a little past Logan Point is very good. You have several very scenic hikes from Logan Point and waterfalls just east of there.

So for me, most of my time would be at Many Glacier (I prefer Swiftcurrent Motor In to the Many Glacier Hotel).

And some time at Rising Sun along GTTS Rd.
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Old Aug 4th, 2015, 03:29 PM
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I say stay the entire time at Many Glacier. However, I think the Hotel has major major construction next year. I would suggest staying at Swift Motor Inn.

I am actualy planning on staying there myself next summer. I am going to do the back county hike and stay at Granite Chalet one night. If you are a hiker, you should consider that as well. There is another Chalet that would be worth a consideration too.


Do plan on spending some time in the rest of the park. Many Glacier is easily the highlight of the place to me though.
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Old Aug 4th, 2015, 04:22 PM
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How much time do you plan on spending in Glacier?

That may determine where you spend your time.
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Old Aug 4th, 2015, 07:53 PM
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We spent a week in Glacier and stayed in 3 different locations--West Glacier (for that portion of the park), East Glacier (for the Two Medicine area of the park) and Many Glacier. This worked out well for us and we appreciated not having to drive a lot each day.

BTW, depending on the number of people in your group, consider renting vacation homes from VRBO for the West Glacier and East Glacier portions of your trip. We did this for our family of 4 and we loved having all the extra space. They cost us no more than regular hotel/motel accommodations would have--and a lot less than what we paid for 2 "Economy Rooms" in the Many Glacier Hote. (Swift Motor Inn is a better choice than Many Glacier--even the park rangers said so.)
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Old Aug 5th, 2015, 04:49 AM
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Retired so we can stay as long as we would like. Our group are hikers of 4 miles max. I do like the VRBO suggestion as we have done this in the past, however, also like to stay in the Park's facilities. We were considering driving to Banaff but didn't realize it was over a 4 hour drive. What else is there to do in the Glacier area? We are from OH so want to make our plane trip worth it besides GNP, of course.
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Old Aug 5th, 2015, 09:44 AM
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Go to www.glaciermt.com and click on 102 things to do. In the immediate area, whitewater rafting, horseback riding ,water activities on Flathead Lake ,cruise boats,National Bison Range,local breweries, Conrad Mansion, history museum etc.
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Old Aug 5th, 2015, 10:08 AM
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We really enjoyed the day we drove the scenic route by Flathead Lake to the National Bison Range. If you enjoy hiking, there are a couple of hikes you can do there. And it was amazing to have the bison surround our car as they moved down the road.

I recommend taking a picnic lunch if you go there. They have a nice picnic area (and no place anywhere near to buy food.)
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Old Aug 5th, 2015, 12:52 PM
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Approximate drive time without stopping and without Bear jams:
Apgar to Many Glacier using GTTS road---2 1/2 hours
Apgar to St. Mary using GTTS road----2 hours
Apgar to Two Medicine using state hiway 2----1 1/2 hour
Two Med to Many Glacier using hiway 2 to 464 to 89--1 Hour

Again, these are approximate times in season
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Old Aug 7th, 2015, 06:11 AM
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You mentioned going to Banff and shied away because of the length of the drive.

I realize it's in a different country and that in itself is enough to cause some people to avoid it, but have you thought of flying into Calgary.

It's only 3.5 hours from Calgary airport to Many Glacier Hotel. It's a level, smooth, excellent road all the way down to the border.

There's a Walmart Supercenter 5 minutes south of the airport just off the highway. You are permitted to bring all your supplies across the border except citrus and raw meat.

I would concentrate of Many Glacier and the east side of GTTS Road.

Banff is only an hour from Calgary. Both Banff and Jasper have many excellent hikes and a lot of roadside scenery.

The Canadian national parks are quite different from those in the U.S. I like some things and not so much other things.

I don't like it that in the Canadian parks there are tourist towns.

But I do like it that these tourist town have a lot of lodging choices.

If you want to consider such an itinerary you can check out my photos of trips to both Glacier, Banff & Jasper at:
www.travelwalks.com
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Old Aug 7th, 2015, 09:50 AM
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GOOD NEWS!!!

GTTS Road opened in it's entirety this morning!! Open from 9 am till 7 pm only, with minor restrictions.
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Old Aug 8th, 2015, 08:31 AM
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Thanks to all. Much good advice that I will share with our fellow travellers!
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