Glacier Park Itinerary
Jun 21st, 2015, 09:54 AM
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Glacier Park Itinerary
I am very excited about my family vacation to Glacier and I thought I would see if experts have any comments for my plan. My husband and I will be there with our 2 adult daughters. I'm aware our itinerary may have too much hopping around for some people, but we don't mind driving, especially in beautiful territory, and we wanted to see the Canadian side of the park. We love old lodges and are aware that they aren't luxurious and might be a bit noisy.
We arrive in Kalispell in the morning (July 4!), rent a car and drive (~40 minutes) to Belton Chalet where we are staying 1 night. We will do a kayak half-day trip that afternoon with Great Northern Raft Company. My husband is an experienced whitewater kayaker and we thought this would be a chance for the rest of us to try an easier version in the inflatable kayaks. I was told the water isn't as wild as on the rafting trips, and I'm hoping it won't be too hard for us (me).
The next day we would maybe do a short hike in the morning then drive to Waterton (3 hour drive) where we're staying at the Prince of Wales Hotel. (Our car rental is okay to enter Canada and we'll have our passports.) We have reservations for tea in the afternoon. We are staying 2 nights there. We don't have definite plans there but I thought we would take a Waterton tour boat. I was interested in the Goat haunt Overlook hike, but just saw it's described as strenuous. We can do strenuous if it's short, but maybe we would be better off with something easier. Any recommendations? We all work out regularly, but don't do a lot of strenuous hiking here in Indiana, and I turn 60 this year!
After 2 nights in Waterton we are heading to East Glacier and staying at Summit Mountain Lodge for 2 nights. I have a book of easy day hikes and figure there will be some beautiful hikes around there and maybe we will do a horseback trail ride. I also think from there we will take a Red Bus tour of the Going-to-the-Sun Road so we can enjoy the scenery without having to worry about the driving.
We are spending the last night in Kalispell at the Kallispell Grand Hotel, but I'm wondering if it makes more sense to try to stay another night in East Glacier. Our flight leaves at 12:30 and we will have to return the rental car before the flight, so it seemed it might be more relaxing to stay in Kalispell. I don't have an impression that there's lots to do in Kalispell, but again opinions are welcome.
Sorry this is so long! I have gotten great advice for trips on these forums and I appreciate any help!
We arrive in Kalispell in the morning (July 4!), rent a car and drive (~40 minutes) to Belton Chalet where we are staying 1 night. We will do a kayak half-day trip that afternoon with Great Northern Raft Company. My husband is an experienced whitewater kayaker and we thought this would be a chance for the rest of us to try an easier version in the inflatable kayaks. I was told the water isn't as wild as on the rafting trips, and I'm hoping it won't be too hard for us (me).
The next day we would maybe do a short hike in the morning then drive to Waterton (3 hour drive) where we're staying at the Prince of Wales Hotel. (Our car rental is okay to enter Canada and we'll have our passports.) We have reservations for tea in the afternoon. We are staying 2 nights there. We don't have definite plans there but I thought we would take a Waterton tour boat. I was interested in the Goat haunt Overlook hike, but just saw it's described as strenuous. We can do strenuous if it's short, but maybe we would be better off with something easier. Any recommendations? We all work out regularly, but don't do a lot of strenuous hiking here in Indiana, and I turn 60 this year!
After 2 nights in Waterton we are heading to East Glacier and staying at Summit Mountain Lodge for 2 nights. I have a book of easy day hikes and figure there will be some beautiful hikes around there and maybe we will do a horseback trail ride. I also think from there we will take a Red Bus tour of the Going-to-the-Sun Road so we can enjoy the scenery without having to worry about the driving.
We are spending the last night in Kalispell at the Kallispell Grand Hotel, but I'm wondering if it makes more sense to try to stay another night in East Glacier. Our flight leaves at 12:30 and we will have to return the rental car before the flight, so it seemed it might be more relaxing to stay in Kalispell. I don't have an impression that there's lots to do in Kalispell, but again opinions are welcome.
Sorry this is so long! I have gotten great advice for trips on these forums and I appreciate any help!
Jun 21st, 2015, 01:14 PM
#2
Instead of another night at East Glacier, try for a night at the Isaac Walton Lodge on US 2 or maybe a night at the Meadow Lake Resort near Columbia Falls.
Give your bear spray to another tourist before you show up at the airport.
Give your bear spray to another tourist before you show up at the airport.
Jun 21st, 2015, 04:25 PM
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Umm...gulp! We have big squirrels in Indiana, but we're not used to bears! Should we really get bear spray? Any other bear advice?
I tried to get into to Isaac Walton Lodge earlier but no luck.
I tried to get into to Isaac Walton Lodge earlier but no luck.
Jun 21st, 2015, 08:11 PM
#6
From what I see of your plan you are really not seeing Glacier at all.
While GTTS Road sounds great it really doesn't have the best views of the park.
There are a good number of viewing stops along the road but the spectacular scenery is not there.
Instead of the bus ride I would drive from the east side to Logan Pass and do the Hidden Lake Overlook hike. Not long and not difficult. Spectacular scenery all the way.
Then return to the visitors center, cross the highway and do the start of the Highline trail. Depending upon how you feel about the part of the trail with the cable (you'll know it when you reach it) stop either at the start or a little after the cable. I thought it would freak me out but I found the trail wider than I expected.
I started with this as the Logan Pass parking lot will fill up by around 10AM.
Then drive back east to the St Mary Falls trailhead and do the fairly short and easy hike to the very popular St Mary Falls.
Look at a map of the park. A little north of GTTS Road on the east side is the Many Glacier area of the park.
This is scenery and wildlife central.
Do the Iceberg Lake hike. It's about 4.5 miles each way but only the very beginning is a bit uphill. The rest is just a long walk in the park. Now this is scenery. The setting for Iceberg Lake is truly spectacular.
About 2 hours before sunset a good place to be is Fishercap Lake. To get to this lake park at the far end of the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn parking lot and start the Swiftcurrent Pass hike. Only go about 10-15 minutes along the flat trail until you come to a sign pointing left to Fishercap Lake.
Expect to see some combination of deer and moose that come down to the lake for dinner. This is a very shallow lake so the animals can walk across and bring up food to eat.
If you'd like to see my photos of this park go to:
www.travelwalks.com
While GTTS Road sounds great it really doesn't have the best views of the park.
There are a good number of viewing stops along the road but the spectacular scenery is not there.
Instead of the bus ride I would drive from the east side to Logan Pass and do the Hidden Lake Overlook hike. Not long and not difficult. Spectacular scenery all the way.
Then return to the visitors center, cross the highway and do the start of the Highline trail. Depending upon how you feel about the part of the trail with the cable (you'll know it when you reach it) stop either at the start or a little after the cable. I thought it would freak me out but I found the trail wider than I expected.
I started with this as the Logan Pass parking lot will fill up by around 10AM.
Then drive back east to the St Mary Falls trailhead and do the fairly short and easy hike to the very popular St Mary Falls.
Look at a map of the park. A little north of GTTS Road on the east side is the Many Glacier area of the park.
This is scenery and wildlife central.
Do the Iceberg Lake hike. It's about 4.5 miles each way but only the very beginning is a bit uphill. The rest is just a long walk in the park. Now this is scenery. The setting for Iceberg Lake is truly spectacular.
About 2 hours before sunset a good place to be is Fishercap Lake. To get to this lake park at the far end of the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn parking lot and start the Swiftcurrent Pass hike. Only go about 10-15 minutes along the flat trail until you come to a sign pointing left to Fishercap Lake.
Expect to see some combination of deer and moose that come down to the lake for dinner. This is a very shallow lake so the animals can walk across and bring up food to eat.
If you'd like to see my photos of this park go to:
www.travelwalks.com
Jun 23rd, 2015, 07:02 AM
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IMHO, GTTS road has spectacular views especially going east to west. Go on line or get a good guide book, decide what YOU want to see and do, visit the visitor's center and talk to a Ranger, stay flexible and go for it
Jun 24th, 2015, 02:48 PM
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I would have to agree that driving your own car across the GTTS Road and stopping for short hikes will give you a much better feel for GNP. It is truly a hiker's paradise!
Both the Hidden Lake Overlook and Highline Trail are extremely popular, but, you are in bear country (grizzly and black bears) and there's always a chance you can have an encounter. Iceberg Lake is one of the most popular trails in the park with lots of people and we've always seen grizzly or black bears on that hike. We wouldn't hike in Glacier without it. If you do purchase bear spray, be sure you know how to use it.
Some good tips for hiking in Glacier and bears:
http://www.hikinginglacier.com/glaci...park-bears.htm
For your short hike the morning before you leave for Waterton, I would suggest Avalanche Lake:
http://www.hikinginglacier.com/avalanche-lake.htm
Not sure which route you plan on taking to get from the west side of the park to Waterton, but 3 hours doesn't sound like nearly enough time to me. Maybe someone else can chime in, but I think to get from the west side to the town of East Glacier taking Highway 2 it's @ 2 hours and then another hour to Babb. It seems like the drive from Babb to the border is another :45 minutes.
Both the Hidden Lake Overlook and Highline Trail are extremely popular, but, you are in bear country (grizzly and black bears) and there's always a chance you can have an encounter. Iceberg Lake is one of the most popular trails in the park with lots of people and we've always seen grizzly or black bears on that hike. We wouldn't hike in Glacier without it. If you do purchase bear spray, be sure you know how to use it.
Some good tips for hiking in Glacier and bears:
http://www.hikinginglacier.com/glaci...park-bears.htm
For your short hike the morning before you leave for Waterton, I would suggest Avalanche Lake:
http://www.hikinginglacier.com/avalanche-lake.htm
Not sure which route you plan on taking to get from the west side of the park to Waterton, but 3 hours doesn't sound like nearly enough time to me. Maybe someone else can chime in, but I think to get from the west side to the town of East Glacier taking Highway 2 it's @ 2 hours and then another hour to Babb. It seems like the drive from Babb to the border is another :45 minutes.
Jun 25th, 2015, 03:19 AM
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The day you drive to Waterton ,to hike will depend of the hour you reserve the afternoon tea.
The best way could be to wake up early and then drive the GTTS road with hike to Avalanche-easy and relatively short(out and back in 2h30-3h) and very scenic..
Then depending your schedule you can do some stops...
In Waterton there are some hikes also easy from the Waterton camping..That gives you some nice views on the PoW hotels.
While in East Glacier I will try to get one night more and so you can explore Two Medecine area(the Cobalt lake hike worth the effort) and as other said one day at least in Many Glacier(Iceberg Lake, Cracker Lake, the beginning of Swiftcurrent valley till RedRock falls or Bullhead lake, Grinnel glacier...) : there are a lot of hikes and wildlife..
.
GTTS road is nice but we preferr driving it East to West on our last day with no obligation on schedule...
The day can be : East Glacier/St Mary/GTTS road with stops when you want and then a stop in Apgar and an icecream on the beach.
An advice : take your earplug for Belton Chalet : nice building but directly on the highway and just across the railroad...Some nights the railway pass every hour and corn...corn...corn...!!
Erik
The best way could be to wake up early and then drive the GTTS road with hike to Avalanche-easy and relatively short(out and back in 2h30-3h) and very scenic..
Then depending your schedule you can do some stops...
In Waterton there are some hikes also easy from the Waterton camping..That gives you some nice views on the PoW hotels.
While in East Glacier I will try to get one night more and so you can explore Two Medecine area(the Cobalt lake hike worth the effort) and as other said one day at least in Many Glacier(Iceberg Lake, Cracker Lake, the beginning of Swiftcurrent valley till RedRock falls or Bullhead lake, Grinnel glacier...) : there are a lot of hikes and wildlife..
.
GTTS road is nice but we preferr driving it East to West on our last day with no obligation on schedule...
The day can be : East Glacier/St Mary/GTTS road with stops when you want and then a stop in Apgar and an icecream on the beach.
An advice : take your earplug for Belton Chalet : nice building but directly on the highway and just across the railroad...Some nights the railway pass every hour and corn...corn...corn...!!
Erik
Jun 25th, 2015, 03:21 AM
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Sorry I click to fast..
And as said by one : be flexible : weather, wildlife, open and closed areas and trails...All of that is reason why the scheduled programm and the real programm are always different...
But you will not be disappointed...
Erik
And as said by one : be flexible : weather, wildlife, open and closed areas and trails...All of that is reason why the scheduled programm and the real programm are always different...
But you will not be disappointed...
Erik
Jun 26th, 2015, 11:29 AM
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Thanks for all the helpful suggestions! This really gives me food for thought and narrows down some hiking decisions.
I was reluctant to drive and hike along GTTS because it's hard to look and drive at the same time, and I got the impression that the parking lots fill up at the trail heads. If that's the case, we can only make it early to one, right? That's why I was thinking we would take the bus on the GTTS road and hike other places, but the jury is still out on that.
My Mapquest directions from Belton Chalet to Waterton take us on Highway 2 to highway 89 to MT-17/Chief Mountain International Highway. I guess sometimes MT-17 is closed, so maybe that is what can make it longer? I'll figure on more than 3 hours if that's your experience.
I was reluctant to drive and hike along GTTS because it's hard to look and drive at the same time, and I got the impression that the parking lots fill up at the trail heads. If that's the case, we can only make it early to one, right? That's why I was thinking we would take the bus on the GTTS road and hike other places, but the jury is still out on that.
My Mapquest directions from Belton Chalet to Waterton take us on Highway 2 to highway 89 to MT-17/Chief Mountain International Highway. I guess sometimes MT-17 is closed, so maybe that is what can make it longer? I'll figure on more than 3 hours if that's your experience.
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