gaila

We will be visiting Glacier N.P. this August.It has been recommended that we do the Garden Wall hike among others in the park. I am very afraid of heights although I am trying to overcome this(so far no luck).I have seen pictures fo the section where you hold on the garden hose and walk on the trail along a wall with a sheer dropoff next to you. Can you tell me
1....How wide is the trail?(hard to tell in pics)
2. How long is this section, how long does it take to get past it?
3. Are there any other sections of this trail where there are sheer drop-offs (with or without chains) or anything that would bother a person with a fear of heights?
4. Is it a loop trail or do I have to go back across that section to get back?
5.What other trails should I avoid if I find I can't hike this type of trail?

If that is the only scary section and its not to far maybe I could manage it but someone else had said something about a wide open section with drop-off????? What is that about?
I had a bad experience at Zion once and froze up and it took along time for me to move. I literally was frozen with fear and ever since then anytime I have tried the feelings comes back and I have to take baby steps concentrate on looking away from the open area. I hate this about myself though and want to keep attempting to overcome it because I hate missing these beautiful hikes! Thank You

spirobulldog

Where at in Zion? If you are referring to Angels Landing, I doubt it would be worse than that. There are plenty of other hikes that wouldn't have that kind of exposure.

gaila

No, actually it was Hidden Canyon. But since then I have tried different hikes with narrow trails and I don't do well.Most recently we were in Utah at Little Wildhorse canyon(you my have even helped me with that choice, have you been there?I know you have helped with other question)and we needed to go up and over to get in the slot canyon....well needless to say I tried made it half way, painfully turned around and my husband boosted me up on the boulder that was blocking the enterence. I don't know what happens, I just freeze up.

longhorn55

There are many, many, many hikes in GNP that offer amazing views and scenery and which do not require you be in fear of heights. Some that we did were: Virginia Falls, Hidden Lake Overlook and Redrock Falls. I wouldn't subject yourself to a hike that would cause you distress when there are so many others to choose from.

Nelson

Well, can't answer your question on the GNP hike, nor help you with your fear issue. It is a rational reaction after all!

But if you find yourself in that situation, then try this technique. Assuming you have both your feet and hands on something solid, then always maintain three points of contact.

Move a hand to the next handhold, test it, make sure it's solid. Once you're comfortable look around and move one foot. Slowly put your weight on it, make sure you feel secure. Then move the other foot, or a hand depending, but always keeping three points of contact.

You can actually experiment with this around the house on something safe. You may be surprised to find your mind becoming focused and calm. I'm not making this up!

Of course, you may just to avoid those situations. Good luck and no doubt GNP will be great in any case.

Barblab

Do not even think about taking that trail. It is very narrow and it is a sheer l-o-n-g drop to the road below. Hights do not usually bother me, but that section of that trail did.

Avalanche Lake trail on the west side is easy, although rather steep up the hillside over large roots in one section. Others I am sure will chime in with suggestions. You might also go to the Glacier NP website and have a look around as well as email the park directly for their suggestions.

Have fun, Glacier is amazing!

spirobulldog

I don't see how you could find Little Wildhorse scary(as far a falling goes)(narrow-yes, anywhere you could fall-not much at all)(I guess at the entrance you could fall maybe 20 feet-depending on your approach to the entrance). So, I don't think I would hike Garden Wall/Highline Trail.

gaila

Dont get me wrong I loved Little Wildhorse but aat the enterance you have to go up and over either by finding a way to get up on the big boulder blocking the enterance or go up and walk on a ledge and then climb down and yeah maybe about 20 feet,,,,,and it freaked me out I couldn't do it so I just got a boost onto the boulder...very cool though....can't wait to do it again

spirobulldog

I think Highline Trail/Garden Wall will have much much more exposure than Lil Wildhorse ever thought about having.

monpetit

Which difficulty, out of scarry of heights are you able to hike : easy, moderate, strenous.
There are a lot of hikes in Glacier, without impression of heights, but some are short, some are long...
Iceberg lake is easy, cracker lake is moderate, quartz lake loop is strenous and all of them are without difficult part due to heights...
So give is your physical ability and we'll can give you some precise advice. and where will you lodge: east part, west part, both of them and how many days have you : some hikes worth more than others...
Erik

gaila

We are staying at a friends house in Bigfork which is S.W.of Glacier I think...I've never been. As far as my ability goes I can hike anything...distance or elevation isn't te problem, it's just the sheer drop-offs on narrow paths that I freeze up on. We have 3 days in Glacier and the other 2 people I will be with want to do the Garden Wall so I need to find a good populated hike to go on(I don't want to run into any bears by myself LOL) while there doing the other hike. Thanks for all the advice....I agree with the person who said to practice the hand/foot movement...I actually have done this....easier in the living room with the sofa behind me instead of the cliff LOL If I can just face the wall and stare at it while side stepping maybe I could manage to get past this part but are people coming towards us or can they go around because I wouldn't let go of the hose until I was on W I D E ground.

monpetit

So you are lodging west of GNP. From here to drive to the garden wall trailhead it will be...2h/2h30 depending on traffic...
On the west side, as i mentioned on my previous post, Quartz lakes loop is a whole day hike with 3 lakes, not too strenous but long, without "vertiginous" part. The best way is clockwise from Bowman lake with a noon pic nic at upper lake-you can even swimm it- and then back by middle and lower lakes.This trail is not known to be "bear frequented" but the best to do is thinking that all hikes could be bear frequented..;and so you are prepared...Trailhead is on the parking lot of Bowaman lake.
Akokala lake is easy but with less scenery...
On the road to Loggan pass from Bigfork, Snyder lake is a not so well known hike, moderate in difficulty, and the lake iteself is in a very nice mountain circus. No vertginous part, some "chance" to see some bears. It is possible to "couple" it with Fish lake on the way(but sometimes a lot of mosquitos...) or with Avalanche lake(easy and heavy traffic...).
Trailhead for Snyder lake is on the beginning of the road for Lake Mc Donald Lodge from Going to the sun road, avalanche at the end of Lake Mc Donald.
There are some other strenous hikes to some Look out but as we preferr lakes...
On the east part of the park thjere are a lot of moderate hikes without difficult parts for an hights phobix : Cobal lake from two medecine, Red eagle lake, from St mary, Iceberg lake and Red Rock Lake + Bull head lake from many Glacier, or Cracker lake, also from many Glacier, but you have a long drive from Bigfork to trailheads.
So if you have only 3 days :
one day in Quartz Lakes loop(and you can have a diner at Pole bridge...)
one day with your friends at garden wall and you can hike Snyder/Fish lakes +/- Avalanche(TH to TH by navette)
one day in teh Swann valley :there are a lot of hikes here or wake up early and drive to Two medeine for Cobalt lake or to

longhorn55

The rangers offer guided hikes on certain trails during the summer months, so you could join one of those to hike with others. Or hike a trail like Avalanche Lake (on the west side of the park) that gets lots of hikers. The park rangers are a wealth of information about hiking trails, so you could also ask for recommendations from them when you get to GNP.

monpetit

(Sorry, bad fingers...and so no complete response and no re-lectute to correct the mistakes...)
or to St Mary for Red Eagle lake,
have fun,
Erik

gaila

Thanks...I will start researching all of these suggested hikes and practicing sidestepping around the back yard!!!

Connie

Highline trail doesn't sound like your cup of tea. I have fear of heights and got through it but even past the worst part, you are still on a narrow trail on the side of a mountain. There are plenty of great trails in GNP. No need to be uncomfortable.

Connie

One more thing....

The worst part is at the very first of the trail. You could always give it a try and back out if you can't do it.

gaila

Yes I'm startig to think I'm gonna pass on it. I tried to find some pictures that others have posted and I can tell you that just looking at the rim walk made my hands start to sweat at the computer....not a good sign!

gaila

Also, is it possible to work backwards and start at the end and hike to the wall then turn around or would this make it too long???

spirobulldog

search for it on youtube