2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Are you a seasoned hiker, or just starting out? Let us know your questions or experience with the backcountry permit process.

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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by McKee80 »

Thanks Pete! I'm excited. I have a reputation in my house for jam packing vacations, so this time I'm trying to just experience a couple places deeply, rather than a bunch of places for brief periods. Your plan sounds good, pretty much what I had in mind. Depending on how we feel, might try to stop by Logan Pass or maybe pop into Two Medicine on the driving days. Aside from Lake McDonald, I've never seen any of the stuff we're doing. Only other time I was there we were in Belly River and North Fork and the GTTSR was closed because of fires. Good luck on your permits!

Sean
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by Sue Z »

PeteE wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 1:56 pm Maybe you'll see my old friend "Mr. Lincoln" 8)
Mr. Lincoln is quite the majestic character! I love the full dorsal Mohawk.
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by Sue Z »

McKee80 wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 9:32 am For those keeping track, I got my permit this morning ATL-MOR in late July. Not my first choice, but good a good first time backpacker trip nonetheless.
Great news! Happy for you! Lots of wildflowers on the way to ATL.
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by Sue Z »

Happy to report that I got a hike in early September. Cue the dancing banana. :arrow:

Their elevation numbers are a surprise, though. I thought that the gain to Ptarmigan Tunnel was 2300 ft., and the gain to Chief Mtn. Trailhead was 600 ft. Oopsie, gonna need to eat my Wheaties.

ENTER - ICEBERG/PTARMIGAN (TRAILHEAD)
ELF - ELIZ LK, FT
Elevation; Up 2885 | Down 3026
HEL - HELEN LAKE
Elevation; Up 185 | Down 0
COS - COSLEY LAKE
Elevation; Up 240 | Down 475
EXIT - CHIEF MOUNTAIN (TRAILHEAD)
Elevation; Up 1393 | Down 929
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by teapot57 »

The Chatters are having great permit success! Truly happy for you all. I’d be happy with any one of these itineraries.
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by zozeppelin »

teapot57 wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 4:37 pm The Chatters are having great permit success! Truly happy for you all. I’d be happy with any one of these itineraries.
Yes, I think they batched us into the 'make them sweat it out a bit, then give them exactly what they asked for' group.

I think just Pete, Paul and Jason are left?
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by paul »

Sue Z wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 3:34 pm Happy to report that I got a hike in early September. Cue the dancing banana. :arrow:

Their elevation numbers are a surprise, though. I thought that the gain to Ptarmigan Tunnel was 2300 ft., and the gain to Chief Mtn. Trailhead was 600 ft. Oopsie, gonna need to eat my Wheaties.

ENTER - ICEBERG/PTARMIGAN (TRAILHEAD)
ELF - ELIZ LK, FT
Elevation; Up 2885 | Down 3026
HEL - HELEN LAKE
Elevation; Up 185 | Down 0
COS - COSLEY LAKE
Elevation; Up 240 | Down 475
EXIT - CHIEF MOUNTAIN (TRAILHEAD)
Elevation; Up 1393 | Down 929
That's a very nice hike Sue. I think you'll really like it.
We are in the mountains and the mountains are in us. - John Muir
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by paul »

zozeppelin wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 6:49 pm
teapot57 wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 4:37 pm The Chatters are having great permit success! Truly happy for you all. I’d be happy with any one of these itineraries.
Yes, I think they batched us into the 'make them sweat it out a bit, then give them exactly what they asked for' group.

I think just Pete, Paul and Jason are left?
Cross your fingers for us!
We are in the mountains and the mountains are in us. - John Muir
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by paul »

McKee80 wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 9:32 am For those keeping track, I got my permit this morning ATL-MOR in late July. Not my first choice, but good a good first time backpacker trip nonetheless.

That was the final piece for the week:
Coming from the west
Sun - Rising Sun Motor Lodge
Mon - ATL
Tues - MOR
Wed - Lake McDonald Lodge
Thurs - Sperry Chalet
Fri - Sperry Chalet
I know Pete mentioned day hiking to medicine grizlly lake, but another option is day hiking to Triple Divide pass. That would be really nice, It's about 3 miles form ATL and most of it has good views.
We are in the mountains and the mountains are in us. - John Muir
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by NDjason »

Awesome to see so many permits coming in! Keeping my fingers crossed for Paul and Pete and anxiously checking my email. Sue Z - would love to cross paths with you in September!
~ jason
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by Sue Z »

NDjason wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 7:50 pm Awesome to see so many permits coming in! Keeping my fingers crossed for Paul and Pete and anxiously checking my email. Sue Z - would love to cross paths with you in September!
The waiting is agony.
Wishing y'all good fortune.
Meet-up would be great!
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by teapot57 »

I think just Pete, Paul and Jason are left?
And me. But my backpacking buddy Tibber is allowing me to share in her good fortune. :arrow:

Hopefully others will come forward and let us know of their success.
Last edited by teapot57 on Thu Apr 08, 2021 10:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by sbosecker »

zozeppelin wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 6:49 pm
teapot57 wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 4:37 pm The Chatters are having great permit success! Truly happy for you all. I’d be happy with any one of these itineraries.
Yes, I think they batched us into the 'make them sweat it out a bit, then give them exactly what they asked for' group.

I think just Pete, Paul and Jason are left?
There are others...

Best regards,

Scott
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by teapot57 »

Fingers crossed for you, Scott. I hope you hear back soon.
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by zozeppelin »

teapot57 wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 9:59 pm Fingers crossed for you, Scott. I hope you hear back soon.
Agreed.

Up to 3865 nights processed, so above 1 night per permit average with the rejections and dual site caveats. I'd guess they still have a ways to go. My primary and secondary (primary with neighboring site flexibility) are down to 2 and 3 start dates respectively for over a month span of start dates.

GRN/FIF pinchpoints are disappointing (they are pretty much wiped out for this year). With other popular sites (HOL, ELL, STO, etc), at least you have reasonably nearby substitutes. With GRN and FIF, you are pretty much stuck on needing those sites if trying to link Logan/Many to the north.
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