My wife and I are the type to plan ahead. We are contemplating a trip to Glacier perhaps in September or October 2009. We would spend at least a week, or perhaps 10 days if it is better to do this. If you could give us some advice it would be appreciated.
Is this a good time to go? are the aspens out then? Are there a good number of Aspens in Glacier - this is not why we are going, but if there are a large number of aspens we would like to go when they have a good chance of being bright yellow.
Is it best to fly to Great Galls, MT?
Without camping where is a good place to stay in the park so we have good access to the things to do and see.
Driving the roads to see the sight ans day hikes are our speed. Back country camping is not an option. However, day hikes of 6-7 miles round trip are certainly something we would plan.
We understand there are good opportunities to photograph bear, big horn sheep and other larger mammals. Where should we hike to to have the best opportunity?
Are there any good books to read to get us in the right locations at the right times? Last year we got good use out of "Photographing the Southwest" during our trip to Southern Utah.
Ed: There are a number of lodges in the park that were built by the railroad. I've stayed at the one at East Glacier and it is a neat place to be. Another really cool place just outside the park is the Izaak Walton Inn at Essex. It's been over 25 years since I've been and my memory is too vague regarding fall color. I also wasn't into photography then. It is a place high on my wish list of places to revisit. >=))>
Posted by Harold Ankney on August 3, 2008 at 12:13 AM
I don't recommend flying into Great Falls.That would leave you with a 4 to 4.5 hr drive up to the park and half of that drive would be through flat lands with just wheat fields to look at. Kinda boring. Your best bet would be to fly into Kalispell and then rent a vehicle. You may also want to check and see if airfares wouldn't be cheaper to fly into Missoula and then drive up from there. Prettier country and less driving time to the park.
It has been a few years since I've been to the park, but I seem to remember thinking that the east side of the park would have some nice fall colors. I can't help you with the aspens.
Here's another idea -- stay in the park and split your time at two lodges, one on the east (Many Glacier Lodge) and the other on the west (Lake MacDonald Lodge), and use your drive-through (50+ miles) as a mid-trip tour and the lodges as your bases for 3-5 days each of hiking and enjoyment. My wife and I did this last summer and had a nice time. (You'll have off-season rates, too.)
To do this, we rented a car one-way from airport to airport (and combined the trip wth a visit to Yellowstone and Grand Teton NPs, approaching Glacier from the east after staying in Great Falls). I don't know about the airport in Great Falls or other routes, but the drive to the range from the city along the back-country roads through the Montana plains is beautiful in the morning and the approach to the mountains is fantastic.
The Many Glacier and Lake MacDonald lodges place you immediately into the mountain scenery and a quaint atmosphere. Both sites have terrific day-hike options, including serious grizzly bear warnings at Many Glacier -- in August we could see them from the lodge on the nearby mountain slope and encountered one on the trail from Grinnell Glacier (great hike, by the way, 11-12 miles, but worth it).
The drive through the park in the morning along the Going to the Sun Road from east to west is jaw-droppingly beautiful and many side trip hikes and overlooks are available, including the continental divide and high point at Logan Pass. The weather can be tricky, with rain or snow a big possibility, so plan ahead. We also did the hike along the Highline Trail from there (12 miles, but worth it also).
We used the airport at Kalispell (less than an hour from the park) for the flight home and left the car there. I thought the east approach to the park was the best, particularly because of the elevation differences, the morning light, and the exceptional vistas, but the views and sunsets from the west were terrific, too.
Best of luck in planning this trip -- there are many websites and travel guides. You're smart to plan early and consider options, not the least of which is the airfare -- see Yapta.com for some ideas about tracking ticket prices on preferred flights.
Posted by Grace Blair on August 3, 2008 at 10:12 AM
I would probably nix the plans for October, as the road may be closed with snow. September SHOULD be OK, depending on how early the snows come. That is if you want to drive the Going to the Sun road. That road is often closed 9 months of the year with snow pack. I believe that this year it wasn't open until in July.
Posted by Jim Arvanitis on August 3, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Ed, not real sure about flights, as my wife and I drove there last September and the weather
was fantastic. Daytime temps in the 60's/70's and nightime 40's/50's very pleasant. We stayed in West Glacier at a couple of different cabins and the rates were 40-50 per night. In
the morning, we drove the Going to the Sun highway and the scenery was unbelievable with
plenty of places to pull over and take photos. Wildlife was most abundant at Logans Pass with
marmots, Mountain goats,Bighorn sheep and lots of assorted birds. The east side is probably the best for a chance at a Grizzly sighting, many trails to hike and lakes and waterfalls abound all throughout the park. You might also try the the red jammers as they take you all over the park and give a history to boot. Anyway, never fear go for it, you will have
the time of your life, it's that good!!!
I second the sentiments expressed by Grace. I believe that the fall closure date for Going to the Sun Road varies, depending on the conditions, but I would hate to show up there after the road closes. I believe it usually closes in early to mid-October. Getting from one side of the park to the other going around the south border is a major hassle, and I think takes about 4 hours or so, plus considerable fatigue from driving all those winding roads. Plus there are a lot of good hikes that originate from Logans Pass. Don't miss the opportunity to go on at least one of those. You'll likely get a chance to visit with one of the extremely tame mountain goats in the area.
Discussion
6 repliesIs this a good time to go? are the aspens out then? Are there a good number of Aspens in Glacier - this is not why we are going, but if there are a large number of aspens we would like to go when they have a good chance of being bright yellow.
Is it best to fly to Great Galls, MT?
Without camping where is a good place to stay in the park so we have good access to the things to do and see.
Driving the roads to see the sight ans day hikes are our speed. Back country camping is not an option. However, day hikes of 6-7 miles round trip are certainly something we would plan.
We understand there are good opportunities to photograph bear, big horn sheep and other larger mammals. Where should we hike to to have the best opportunity?
Are there any good books to read to get us in the right locations at the right times? Last year we got good use out of "Photographing the Southwest" during our trip to Southern Utah.
So, thanks for all your help.
Ed
It has been a few years since I've been to the park, but I seem to remember thinking that the east side of the park would have some nice fall colors. I can't help you with the aspens.
Harold
To do this, we rented a car one-way from airport to airport (and combined the trip wth a visit to Yellowstone and Grand Teton NPs, approaching Glacier from the east after staying in Great Falls). I don't know about the airport in Great Falls or other routes, but the drive to the range from the city along the back-country roads through the Montana plains is beautiful in the morning and the approach to the mountains is fantastic.
The Many Glacier and Lake MacDonald lodges place you immediately into the mountain scenery and a quaint atmosphere. Both sites have terrific day-hike options, including serious grizzly bear warnings at Many Glacier -- in August we could see them from the lodge on the nearby mountain slope and encountered one on the trail from Grinnell Glacier (great hike, by the way, 11-12 miles, but worth it).
The drive through the park in the morning along the Going to the Sun Road from east to west is jaw-droppingly beautiful and many side trip hikes and overlooks are available, including the continental divide and high point at Logan Pass. The weather can be tricky, with rain or snow a big possibility, so plan ahead. We also did the hike along the Highline Trail from there (12 miles, but worth it also).
We used the airport at Kalispell (less than an hour from the park) for the flight home and left the car there. I thought the east approach to the park was the best, particularly because of the elevation differences, the morning light, and the exceptional vistas, but the views and sunsets from the west were terrific, too.
Best of luck in planning this trip -- there are many websites and travel guides. You're smart to plan early and consider options, not the least of which is the airfare -- see Yapta.com for some ideas about tracking ticket prices on preferred flights.
was fantastic. Daytime temps in the 60's/70's and nightime 40's/50's very pleasant. We stayed in West Glacier at a couple of different cabins and the rates were 40-50 per night. In
the morning, we drove the Going to the Sun highway and the scenery was unbelievable with
plenty of places to pull over and take photos. Wildlife was most abundant at Logans Pass with
marmots, Mountain goats,Bighorn sheep and lots of assorted birds. The east side is probably the best for a chance at a Grizzly sighting, many trails to hike and lakes and waterfalls abound all throughout the park. You might also try the the red jammers as they take you all over the park and give a history to boot. Anyway, never fear go for it, you will have
the time of your life, it's that good!!!
Jim
Play it safe and go for late September.