Glacier National Park
Jun 7th, 2015, 06:40 AM
#1
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Glacier National Park
Hello,
We have 2 overnights in Browning and 1 full day to see Glacier National Park & surrounding areas. We are "locked in" to this itinerary & would appreciate any advice on the best way to spend our days.
Thank-you in advance for suggestions.
2-adults & 2 late teens w/our trusty Trailblazer.
We have 2 overnights in Browning and 1 full day to see Glacier National Park & surrounding areas. We are "locked in" to this itinerary & would appreciate any advice on the best way to spend our days.
Thank-you in advance for suggestions.
2-adults & 2 late teens w/our trusty Trailblazer.
Jun 7th, 2015, 06:54 AM
#2
How soon is this trip happening?
The plows are still working on the GTTS road.
http://home.nps.gov/applications/gla...plowstatus.cfm
You can drive a few miles up from St. Mary but maybe not all the way to the top of Logan Pass.
There is the Museum of the Plains Indian in the west end of Browning.
The plows are still working on the GTTS road.
http://home.nps.gov/applications/gla...plowstatus.cfm
You can drive a few miles up from St. Mary but maybe not all the way to the top of Logan Pass.
There is the Museum of the Plains Indian in the west end of Browning.
Jun 7th, 2015, 09:07 AM
#4
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I would say with one day about all you can do is maybe take a boat ride on a lake, drive the GTTS highway, and come back on US 2.
From the boat, you may see bear, from US 2 near Izaak Walton Inn, there is a great roadside viewing area for mountain goats, and when the freight trains come through, they shake the earth.
There is no way you can "make time" in this area in late July. There are too many people trying to do the same thing. You will drive yourself insane if you try to do too much.
There is also virtually nothing worth buying and pretty much nowhere to buy it, so you can save time on shopping.
Last time I was in Browning, you could have espresso in a concrete tipi.
From the boat, you may see bear, from US 2 near Izaak Walton Inn, there is a great roadside viewing area for mountain goats, and when the freight trains come through, they shake the earth.
There is no way you can "make time" in this area in late July. There are too many people trying to do the same thing. You will drive yourself insane if you try to do too much.
There is also virtually nothing worth buying and pretty much nowhere to buy it, so you can save time on shopping.
Last time I was in Browning, you could have espresso in a concrete tipi.
Jun 7th, 2015, 12:05 PM
#6
You didn't mention what your interests are but I'll assume you want some moderate hikes, see spectacular scenery and hopefully some wildlife.
At least you're on the right side of the park.
Having been to the park a couple of times, this is what I would do in one day.
Forget about surrounding areas of museums. You're there to see Glacier.
I'd get up early in the morning and drive along GTTS Road until Logan Pass.
Hike from the Visitors' Center and do the Hidden Lake Overlook hike. Spectacular scenery and the lake at the end as well. A good chance to see mountain goats along the way or at the overlook.
Then back.
Cross the highway and do the very start of the Highline Trail Go as far as the cable and depending upon how you feel about it either stop before or after the cable. Come back to the parking lot.
I assume since you're going to Yellowstone and probably spending some time in Canyon, you'll see the Lower Falls. So I'll skip St Mary Falls.
From Logan Pass drive to the exit, go north to Babb and enter the park again thru the Many Glacier entrance.
Hopefully it's not much later than noon.
Go to the end of the road to Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and drive up to the second level parking lot. This is the trail head for the Iceberg Lake hike.
This hike is about 4.5 miles each way. It's a little uphill at the start but the rest is fairly level. Nothing difficult.
Spectacular scenery all the way. Iceberg Lake is surrounded on two side by a bowl of mountain ranges. Some people will have bathing suits and go in the water. Not me. It's freezing in there.
I've done this hike once. The first time I went with my daughter and on the way back a grizzly was walking beside us. We took photos and I yelled at him/her. Instead of running away he walked onto our trail, stop after a few yards, turned to pose for us and then sat down in a small stream crossing the trail. After cooling off for 20 minutes he got up and ran away.
My guess is you'll be back at the trail head by 5PM.
You are now in wildlife central. Drive your car down to the main parking lot for Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. This will take you half a minute. Turn right towards the end of the parking lot and park as close to the end that you can.
Start the hike to Swiftcurrent Pass. You will not be doing this hike. After about ten minutes of hiking on a level trail you'll come to a sign pointing left to Fishercap Lake.
Go left and after about 50 yards you'll come to the lake. This lake is very shallow so just about every evening moose and deer come down to eat. They just walk across the lake bending down and bringing up food.
You will not be alone at the lake.
After an hour or two you can head back to Browning for your night.
That's what I would do with one day only.
At least you're on the right side of the park.
Having been to the park a couple of times, this is what I would do in one day.
Forget about surrounding areas of museums. You're there to see Glacier.
I'd get up early in the morning and drive along GTTS Road until Logan Pass.
Hike from the Visitors' Center and do the Hidden Lake Overlook hike. Spectacular scenery and the lake at the end as well. A good chance to see mountain goats along the way or at the overlook.
Then back.
Cross the highway and do the very start of the Highline Trail Go as far as the cable and depending upon how you feel about it either stop before or after the cable. Come back to the parking lot.
I assume since you're going to Yellowstone and probably spending some time in Canyon, you'll see the Lower Falls. So I'll skip St Mary Falls.
From Logan Pass drive to the exit, go north to Babb and enter the park again thru the Many Glacier entrance.
Hopefully it's not much later than noon.
Go to the end of the road to Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and drive up to the second level parking lot. This is the trail head for the Iceberg Lake hike.
This hike is about 4.5 miles each way. It's a little uphill at the start but the rest is fairly level. Nothing difficult.
Spectacular scenery all the way. Iceberg Lake is surrounded on two side by a bowl of mountain ranges. Some people will have bathing suits and go in the water. Not me. It's freezing in there.
I've done this hike once. The first time I went with my daughter and on the way back a grizzly was walking beside us. We took photos and I yelled at him/her. Instead of running away he walked onto our trail, stop after a few yards, turned to pose for us and then sat down in a small stream crossing the trail. After cooling off for 20 minutes he got up and ran away.
My guess is you'll be back at the trail head by 5PM.
You are now in wildlife central. Drive your car down to the main parking lot for Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. This will take you half a minute. Turn right towards the end of the parking lot and park as close to the end that you can.
Start the hike to Swiftcurrent Pass. You will not be doing this hike. After about ten minutes of hiking on a level trail you'll come to a sign pointing left to Fishercap Lake.
Go left and after about 50 yards you'll come to the lake. This lake is very shallow so just about every evening moose and deer come down to eat. They just walk across the lake bending down and bringing up food.
You will not be alone at the lake.
After an hour or two you can head back to Browning for your night.
That's what I would do with one day only.
Jun 7th, 2015, 01:13 PM
#7
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MYER, your assuming he's coming in the park from the east. If he's coming in from the west side, which is where the majority of the visitors enter, then he can due GTTS and Logan Pass on his way to Browning
Jun 7th, 2015, 03:19 PM
#8
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Meyer has laid out a great plan for you to see some spectacular scenery and great hiking! This site has good detailed detailed information on the trails:
http://www.hikinginglacier.com/
Also try to get something to eat while you are at Swiftcurrent or Many Glacier (both has restaurants). I don't recall anything but fast food type restaurants in Browning. Hopefully you are staying at the Holiday Inn in Browning - I don't recall anything else but really rundown motels? Something else to keep in mind is to get back to Browning before dark. The roads are open range and you don't want to be driving in the dark.
http://www.hikinginglacier.com/
Also try to get something to eat while you are at Swiftcurrent or Many Glacier (both has restaurants). I don't recall anything but fast food type restaurants in Browning. Hopefully you are staying at the Holiday Inn in Browning - I don't recall anything else but really rundown motels? Something else to keep in mind is to get back to Browning before dark. The roads are open range and you don't want to be driving in the dark.
Jun 7th, 2015, 05:58 PM
#9
John,
What makes you think most people enter the park from the west? Kalispell and Missoula are dinky airports with all kinds of issues.
On the east side you have Great Falls and the best airport of all by far is Calgary.
It's faster to drive from Calgary to Many Glacier than Missoula or Kalispell.
I've been to Calgary airport four times. Excellent drive to Many Glacier and Banff and Jasper.
I realize being in a different country may deter some people . . . . .
Let's say he is entering from the west. We don't know anything about their schedule the day before.
All we know is they're spending two nights in Browning with one day sandwiched in between for Glacier.
I took it from the night in Browning to the next night in Browning.
I know the OP is also going to Yellowstone. I don't know if that's before or after Glacier. If he going the before Glacier then the east side is several hours closer than the west wide.
What makes you think most people enter the park from the west? Kalispell and Missoula are dinky airports with all kinds of issues.
On the east side you have Great Falls and the best airport of all by far is Calgary.
It's faster to drive from Calgary to Many Glacier than Missoula or Kalispell.
I've been to Calgary airport four times. Excellent drive to Many Glacier and Banff and Jasper.
I realize being in a different country may deter some people . . . . .
Let's say he is entering from the west. We don't know anything about their schedule the day before.
All we know is they're spending two nights in Browning with one day sandwiched in between for Glacier.
I took it from the night in Browning to the next night in Browning.
I know the OP is also going to Yellowstone. I don't know if that's before or after Glacier. If he going the before Glacier then the east side is several hours closer than the west wide.
Jun 7th, 2015, 07:42 PM
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I know for a fact that entry from the west to GNP is by FAR the most used entry. For the years 2011 to 2013 70% of visitors entered on west side as opposed to 30% on the east side according to GNP Transportation Corridor Management study.
MOST people drive to the park as opposed to flying in the area. That is why before giving advice one has to know where he is driving FROM and where he will be leaving TO.
MOST people drive to the park as opposed to flying in the area. That is why before giving advice one has to know where he is driving FROM and where he will be leaving TO.
Jun 7th, 2015, 09:46 PM
#12
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If they want to hike, Myer takes them on some good ones. I would only add that if the Two Sisters is still open near Babb, they should stop for food and pie.
I also assume they are coming from the east since they are starting in Browning and returning to Browning. You would not, G-d forbid, drive all the way to Browning, then back to Glacier rather than staying somewhere in East Glacier to begin with.
I also assume they are coming from the east since they are starting in Browning and returning to Browning. You would not, G-d forbid, drive all the way to Browning, then back to Glacier rather than staying somewhere in East Glacier to begin with.
Jun 8th, 2015, 05:43 AM
#13
Ok John, let's assume everything you wrote is correct.
We don't know where the OP will be during the day of their first night in Browning. We also don't know what time they'll get to Browning.
We do know they'll be in Yellowstone on this trip. Due to the proximity of Glacier to Yellowstone, I'll assume they'll be going from one to the other. I realize I'm making an assumption here.
If that's the case the east side of Glacier is a much shorter ride than the west side.
We do know that they'll be sleeping in Browning for two nights and will spend the day between the two nights in Glacier NP.
I assume they'll want to see as much of the "best of Glacier" as possible during that day.
If there's anything I wrote that you believe is incorrect let us know.
Or if you feel you have a better itinerary to see the best of Glacier in one day let us know as well.
We don't know where the OP will be during the day of their first night in Browning. We also don't know what time they'll get to Browning.
We do know they'll be in Yellowstone on this trip. Due to the proximity of Glacier to Yellowstone, I'll assume they'll be going from one to the other. I realize I'm making an assumption here.
If that's the case the east side of Glacier is a much shorter ride than the west side.
We do know that they'll be sleeping in Browning for two nights and will spend the day between the two nights in Glacier NP.
I assume they'll want to see as much of the "best of Glacier" as possible during that day.
If there's anything I wrote that you believe is incorrect let us know.
Or if you feel you have a better itinerary to see the best of Glacier in one day let us know as well.
Jun 8th, 2015, 09:21 AM
#15
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Wow. Thank-you for the replies. I w/look over.
We are locked in as we're heading East - West, ultimately to Port Townsend, WA and then heading home to the East. Staying in Browning to crash one night then sight-see for one day, then go.
It seems the family wants to take the "Road to the sun".
We've got all room reservations made so that's why I say "locked in".
We're up for some moderate hiking but, that w/be in Olympic National Park; not much time in Glacier for that.
Yes, we're hitting Yellowstone / Tetons too....
I w/prob need a vacation from my vacation when over but, should be fun.
We are locked in as we're heading East - West, ultimately to Port Townsend, WA and then heading home to the East. Staying in Browning to crash one night then sight-see for one day, then go.
It seems the family wants to take the "Road to the sun".
We've got all room reservations made so that's why I say "locked in".
We're up for some moderate hiking but, that w/be in Olympic National Park; not much time in Glacier for that.
Yes, we're hitting Yellowstone / Tetons too....
I w/prob need a vacation from my vacation when over but, should be fun.
Jun 8th, 2015, 12:52 PM
#16
Going to the Sun Rd (GTTS Rd) has scenery but not the spectacular scenery you'd see on the itinerary I described on June 7th at 4:05.
My itinerary does have you driving on GTTS Rd about half way. From the east entrance to Logan Pass.
Read what I wrote and if you have any questions ask and somebody will explain.
If you want to see something special it requires a bit of work.
When you say the family wants to take "Road to the sun" does that mean the day in Glacier should be used to do that?
It's you trip. I agree with what you wrote at the end about needing a vacation from your vacation when it's over.
I wonder what the original goal of the trip was. I would hope it would be to see what that part of the country has to offer and not tick this off a list.
My itinerary does have you driving on GTTS Rd about half way. From the east entrance to Logan Pass.
Read what I wrote and if you have any questions ask and somebody will explain.
If you want to see something special it requires a bit of work.
When you say the family wants to take "Road to the sun" does that mean the day in Glacier should be used to do that?
It's you trip. I agree with what you wrote at the end about needing a vacation from your vacation when it's over.
I wonder what the original goal of the trip was. I would hope it would be to see what that part of the country has to offer and not tick this off a list.
Jun 8th, 2015, 07:56 PM
#17
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We're @ the Holiday Inn...
Myer-Thanks for the itinerary. Looks doable for us. We are not ticking off a list. We have 12 days with 3 full in WA; just want to plan our route to see the most we can. We are from the midwest.
Myer-Thanks for the itinerary. Looks doable for us. We are not ticking off a list. We have 12 days with 3 full in WA; just want to plan our route to see the most we can. We are from the midwest.
Jun 9th, 2015, 04:36 AM
#18
"I wonder what the original goal of the trip was. I would hope it would be to see what that part of the country has to offer and not tick this off a list"
I agree. It seems like hotel reservations have been made randomly and now the "trip is locked in". That's a backwards way to approach a trip to this gorgeous area. Modify hotel reservations to make the trip better. Don't have an uncomfortable trip, with lots of driving and missing things you should really see, just because hotel reservations have been made. Make new ones. Modify the trip. Making hotel reservations in one city does not "lock in" the trip when you can make a different reservation that improves the trip.
I agree. It seems like hotel reservations have been made randomly and now the "trip is locked in". That's a backwards way to approach a trip to this gorgeous area. Modify hotel reservations to make the trip better. Don't have an uncomfortable trip, with lots of driving and missing things you should really see, just because hotel reservations have been made. Make new ones. Modify the trip. Making hotel reservations in one city does not "lock in" the trip when you can make a different reservation that improves the trip.
Jun 9th, 2015, 05:35 AM
#19
I still don't understand why you're staying in Browning.
Why not stay in Whitefish, Columbia Falls or West Glacier?
You are doing a bit of a backtrack staying in Browning.
On an east to west trip, DW and I got off the train in Cut Bank and spent the night there before going through Browning to see the east side of the park.
On our west to east trip, we got off the train in Whitefish and were picked up by the van that took us to the Meadow Lake Resort in Columbia Falls which has wonderful condos.
Why not stay in Whitefish, Columbia Falls or West Glacier?
You are doing a bit of a backtrack staying in Browning.
On an east to west trip, DW and I got off the train in Cut Bank and spent the night there before going through Browning to see the east side of the park.
On our west to east trip, we got off the train in Whitefish and were picked up by the van that took us to the Meadow Lake Resort in Columbia Falls which has wonderful condos.
