Hi,
I have read the postings to this message and,like everyone else, have my opinions. I have been to Glacier six times,never earlier than late August and have experienced many types of weather. That said,the dreaded arctic blast has never reared it's ugly head.I camp and spent one memorable night at 26 degrees but that is the exception not the rule. For the most part,the weather from mid-August to early September is warm in the daytime,cool at night and best of all,bugless. This is a very dry climate most of the time and forest fires have prevailed for the last couple of years. Regarding crowds,the only thing that really comes to mind is that this is NOT Yellowstone.Yes,it will be crowded at Logan Pass at noon and at Avalanche Gorge but not nearly as bad as it gets in other parks.This is a hikers park with spectacular scenery and a much wilder feel to it than Yellowstone.Wildlife is everywhere but you have to look for it with bear watching in the Many Glacier area being almost the national sport. Going to the Sun road is the most dramatic drive you will ever take and I suspect you will do it at least three times. Hope this helps

Hello from Northwest Montana.
Plowing on the Sun highway was progresing at a fast pace with a possibility of a record early open but a spring snowstorm halted
worked temporarily. They are now working to recover earlier progress and were hampered by 9 avalanches.
As of yesterday,5/14 they have recovered their earlier progress and are at the Rimrocks area which is the last turn below Logan pass.
Snow depths are at 35 to 40 feet in places which is about average for this time of year.
On the East side, crews are at Lunch Creek working toward the "Big Drift". Snow depths are reported at 20 to 30 feet in avalanche chutes.
All in all I believe it will be an early opening date though not a record.
More info on their web site which is mentioned in an earlier post.

My husband and son stopped for a couple of days in Glacier in late July 2001. They stayed in St Mary's in a little tiny combination motel/campground and thought the food was great at the motel's restaurant. They went on several hikes. The only time they saw a lot of people was at some falls. They got an early start on Going to the Sun road and saw very few people. I guess their recommendation would be to get going early each day. My husband wasn't in condition for so much hiking. We are going to Alaska in June so I started an exercise program in February.
Hope you have a great trip!

Hi, I've been following this thread for a day or so and was wondering if anyone has been RV camping in or near St. Mary KOA. We've been trying to get to GNP for 5 years but one thing or another held us up, especially the fires. This July (2004) will be our first trip there. We would like to know as much as we can about RV camping near St. Mary ... can anyone help?

RUBBERROOM
Hello from Northwest Montana
Can't answer your question on camping as I live here and only do day hikes in the park and then of course come home to BBQ.
An update on the Sun Highway though. Snow plow Crews have broken through the Big Drift and have arrived at Logan pass. It looks like we may have a very early opening. Memorial day weekend is looking good for opening.
However the weather bureau has just issued a heavy snow warning for higher elevations so this may push opening back a day or so.
For up to date info
www.nps.gov/glac/home.htm

We visited GNP in mid-June. Lovely - no crowds and the days were warm! We stayed at Silverwolf Chalets (www.silverwolfchalets.com) in West Glacier about 10 minutes from the Park entrance. Very nice! Be sure to drive the Going to the Sun Road, eat at the log cabin in Polebridge, take a day trip to Waterton Peace Park. Also, we took Amtrak from Cleveland, OH to Glacier. Long but interesting ride - the train stops right in front of the lodge at East Glacier (cheaper than flying).