123

Sage advice. My wife says I should pay attention to it.

We looked at all your Glacier, Teton and Yellowstone pictures again this morning and made some notes. Your pictures have given us a preview. We hope for good weather and a few good memories. Thanks again.

Myer

123,
When are you planning to go? Have a great trip and make sure you post a report and photos.


spiro,
I noticed that a year out AA had plenty of flights to Europe at the minimum. 60k each way. Of course, not the best flights but acceptable.

I don't have enough miles for next year and buying some is expensive and not worth it.

We may go next year a pay for the tickets.

I booked lodging for early Aug for next year to go to Glacier again. I went with my daughter this year for only 4 days. Next year I'm going with a friend and will spend more time.

Also, I'm looking at either spending a day at Waterton Lakes or a couple of days at Banff and Jasper. I was in Banff last year but never Jasper.

After being in Glacier I may see if I can work out a very short itineray that's low on hiking and just gets us to the highlights.

I want to see if I can put together something that mostly includes short hikes. Less than a hour.

I'll do some research on that over the next couple of months.

spirobulldog

This is rediculous!!

AA is not offering any flights to Calgary on the days I can go from 3 airports that are within 2.5 hours drive from my house.

United is only offering one flight per day and the cost on it is $906. Delta is $790. Delta nor United has good times on their flights.

ERRRR

Might have to go somewhere else. I've looked at flying into Missoula, Great Falls, even Spokane,WA.

I like to know well in advance what I am doing, so not sure if I want to wait and see if the price changes on this or not.
I'm beginning to think Glacier just isn't in my cards.

I'm wanting to fly on Thurs July 25(afternoon) and come back on Mon 29(afternoon). I might settle for returning on the morning of the 30th. But no luck with any

Myer

I don't know what next year's schedule will be like but I had excellent flights on United from FLL to Calgary.

Left here 6:18 and with one change arrived at just after noon.
The price per ticket was about 660.

It's still too early to see my dates for next year. I doubt the price would stop me.

I'm going with a friend who lives in Toronto. He has multiple non-stop flights to Calgary. He can leave a few hours after me and get there before.

Last year I went to Banff. I was supposed to arrive there ar (PM. I was going to pick up a car and drive just outside Calgary and stay for the night. Then the flight was changed and we were to arrive at 11PM. I didn't want to be driving in a strange place in the dark. I changed my flight to sleep over at DFW and got to Calgery at 1PM.

The smartest thing was slepping in DFW. There's a Grnad Hyatt on top of the terminal. Walked out of our room and 10 minutes later our luggage was checked.

Why are you only stayng for 3 days? We stayed for the better part of 4 days and that wasn't enough so I'm going back.

Make sure you go because it's some beautiful place!!!!

spirobulldog

I have stayed at Grand Hyatt in DFW. I noticed there is a Delta Hotel(not affiliated with Delta Airlines-at least I don't think so)directly in the airport @ Calgary. So, if I arrive there late evening, I might just stay in it. It sounded similar to DFW Hyatt.

I'm odd about things. I like to get the most bang for my buck out of airlines, but wouldn't think much of it to spend $500pp to take a helicopter or hot air balloon ride that might last an hour. Not logical at all.

I'm thinking of flying into Calgary on a Thurs night and then flying out that next Tues. My wife thought the Afternoon Tea @ Waterton looked good, so we might do that on the way in from Calgary. I think they begin it at Noon. Probably do just one big hike(probably the ranger-led hike to Iceberg Lake or Highline Trail). Will probably do 2 or 3 of the boat tours. Most of them have short hiking options too. Probably will hike Hidden Lake Trail. Will eat at most, if not all of the Lodges there. I'm pretty big on seeing those, for some reason.

I would really like to hike to Granite Chalet, but I know I couldn't convince my wife to spend the night there.

spirobulldog

I would really like to go over July 4th as that would give me an extra day. But, I'm afraid to gamble on the GTSR being open and some of the trails being closed due to snow.

Myer

This year I had a 7AM flight back from Calgary. We stayed at that Delta.

It was very convenient. The layout - The car rental is across the street from the terminal. The Delta Hotel is right next door to the car rental.

We left Glacier about noon and drove to Waterton on the way back to Calgary. It's only partially out of the way. We took some photos of the Prince of Wales Hotel and went inside. Then we drove over to Cameron Falls five minutes from there. After that we did the Bear's Hump hike. One of those that you read about. Fairly short but very steep.

I find that when you visit the towns in Canadian parks they're a bit too touristy.

I'm also odd about sone things. Certain expenses bother me and I try to avoid them. Others don't.

You might really enjoy the Grannell Glacier hike. You can start with a double boat ride. It's somewhat shorter than Iceberg but steeper and more difficult. We did it as a ranger-led hike. The next day we did Iceberg on our own. There were a fair number of people doing it so it wasn't really on our own. We started about an hour after the ranger-led hike and caught up to them. They stop a lot for explanations, etc.

Hidden Lake isn't very long. I had a bit of an issue with it as the boardwalk has many stairs. For Highline, if you want to pass on it, at least do the first mile the part that usually has the mountain goats as well as the cable with a view of the road below. I thought it would freak me but it didn't.

Going early in July doesn't just risk GTTS road not being open. Some of the hikes in MG and Highline may also not be open yet.

spirobulldog

I guess today was my lucky day. Got on AA today and what I wanted was available. One way for 25K miles and the return for 12.5k miles. Rental Cars for $15-$20 a day, so that is a bargain. I don't know that i've rented before in Canada and driven back into the US. I suppose nothing to that? We have passports, etc.

Myer

To Calgary I assume.

I doubt it's necessary but I called Geico (my car insurance) and asked them to send me an international car insurance card.

Also, there's a Walmart Supercenter within 5 minutes of the airport. It doesn't show up as a Supercenter on internet maps but it's been one for at least 3 years. We stopped there and got all of our supplies except bear spray which we got at Thornson's in Babb.

From the airport you exit making a counter-clockwise loop onto Rt 2 going south.

Get off at 64th Ave NE. Deerfoot Mall. You can't see the Walmart as it's behind the mall. Just drive around back.

Then take Rt 2 all the way to the border. Nice smooth road.

So now you're set.

Keep us informed about what you intend to do.

Open a new thread and we can both post our plans as they get clearer.

POlson

Loved the photos and discussion on lenses. Great job capturing a terrific trip. I had not given much thought to visiting Glacier National Park but now it is on my always growing list of places to visit.

karens

Glad you had a great trip, Myer - I love Glacier.

Myer

spiro,
I've heard that at most they'll ask to see the car rental contract.

We showed our passports and told him where we're going. It must be obvious at that border crossing.

Don't bring citrus, raw meat (camping), etc from Canada. I think my daughter brought something he said is not allowed. He laughed and told her not to sell it. One of the foods she picked up.

Most snacks, fruits, etc are fine.

Myer

POIson, karens,

Thanks.

I only saw the east side of GTTS road and Many Glacier.

Never got to the west side or Two Medicine.

I've already made lodging reservations for next year. Going with a friend and for more days.

spirobulldog

Yes, Calgary. Thanks for all your info.

sludick

Wow. Just...wow.

Myer, I love love love your photos. And your trip report. And the design of your website. Could you tell me a bit about that - is it self-designed or hosted, what/who you used, etc. Just so well done.

We went to Glacier in August/September 2003 - if you recall, that year had fierce wildfires in Glacier, across British Columbia, Canadian Rockies, etc. Our recollection was smoke obscuring everything with firefighters everywhere desperately trying to win the day - followed by rain, that helped quench the fires but also completely killed visibility and activities.

Until I saw your pictures, I had no desire to go back and no idea what treasures we missed. How did we let ourselves go so long?? Thanks for your report!

Myer

sludick,

Thank you for your very kind words.

I think we had to be very lucky to see the amount of wildlife that we did in such a very short time. My daughter didn't want to be away from her husband and daughter for more than 4 days plus travel.

By comments I've read in various places, many people go to Glacier multiple times and don't see as much wildlife. Also, we had amazing weather the whole time.

Because of the beauty and the fact I didn't get to see some parts of the park, I've booked more days for next year. This time I'm going with a friend.

- - - - -
About the web site.

I designed it and wrote it myself using ASP.NET

I've designed several web sites but not for quite a while. I've forgotten most of what I knew. So everytime I want to change something it becomes a bit of a hassle figuring out what I did. I have to read and reread the programming code.

I do think of some changes I should make but probably don't have it in me to figure it out. For instance, I permit the user to go frontwards and backwards but no fast-forward or backwards.

I should place two more buttons to permit next and previous by 10 photos.
- - - - -
Glacier is beautiful. I'm not really into doing long hikes. For me it's a means to an end. I'm really not interested in a challenge.

I like scenery, wildlife and waterfalls.

When I was in Yellowstone I had a list of about 10 waterfalls to see and from where. I was in Yosemite last year when the waterfalls were roaring.

I liked the few waterfalls that I saw in Glacier more than most of the giant string waterfalls I saw in Yosemite.

Hopefully you'll plan a trip there.

karens

Myer - last night I had time to fully peruse your pics - they are terrific. (I also liked your Philly pics, as that's where I live. It was great to see that you found some of my favorite spots - such as the area behind the Art Museum).

When you go to the west side of Glacier, don't miss the hike to Avalanche Lake. It's an easy hike through a pretty forest that ends at the lake. The lake's backdrop is a mountain with several waterfalls cascading down - in my opinion, it's one of the prettiest sights in this very scenic national park.

Myer

karens,

Thanks.

Yes, Avalache Lake is on my list if I make it to the west side.

luvroadtripsmb

Really enjoyed reading your trip report and checking out your pics. Fabulous! We just got back from our 2nd trip to YNP and The Black Hills (included GNP/GTNP 1st trip). We'll be going back to Glacier in about 2 years, along with Cdn Rockies which we haven't been to in about 12 years. We love the scenery/mountains, & wildlife. Unfortunately we miss out on some things because we don't hike. Because we know, we just know, we'll get eaten by bears, lol. I know . . silly, but just can't get over that fear. Oh well, we enjoy our trips nonetheless.

Myer

luvroadtripsmb,

Thanks.

You don't hike because of physical/age limitations or because of fear of bears?

We went on a ranger-led hike to Grinnell Glacier. There were probably 20-25 people close together. So bears wouldn't be an issue.

The next day we went to Iceberg Lake. The ranger-led hike left at 8:30 and my daughter got up a little later so we went on our own. There were a fair number of other people on the trail as these two hike are among the most popular in the park, so we were always with others.

Since the ranger-led hikes stop often for explanations, eventually we caught up to and passed them.

We could have walked back with them but didn't. It was on the return that we were very close to a grizzly. In fact, the ranger came up to us at the front to check it out.

From Logans Pass you can hike the first half mile (or as much as you'd like) of both Hidden Lake and Highline. There's a good chance of seeing big horn and mountain goats there.

Probably the most wildlife for the least effort is at Fishercap Lake. It's less than 10 minutes from the Swiftcurrent Pass trailhead.

There are usually people coming and going there. So if you want you can wait a few minutes and go together with others.

Larger groups, making noise and having bear spray is what you do.