Zozeppelin,zozeppelin wrote: ↑Sun Jun 13, 2021 2:42 pm Glad to hear Scott. I know it wasn't your 1st pick (or 2nd or 3rd) but at least it's something, worst case a fallback if nothing else more desirable is available for walk-in.
The denied permit where availability is showing is also annoying and should never happen. If they are going to block something for the year, just block it and open if/when availability can be confirmed.
Dates really aren't mentioned in the any of the other descriptions, just a 'service reservation'. Now how does this 'dates of service reservation' apply?Entry Reservation Tickets are included with any overnight lodging and service reservations along the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor between the West Entrance and St. Mary Entrance. This includes visitors with overnight accommodations, including Village Inn, Lake McDonald Lodge, Rising Sun Motor Inn, Granite Park and Sperry Chalets, Fish Creek Campground, or in-park private lodging, and visitors with reservations for wilderness camping, boat rides, guided hikes, horseback rides, or bus tours along the Going-to-the-Sun Road between the West and St. Mary Entrances of the park. An Entry Reservation Ticket for the day is included in your service reservation. The included Entry Reservation Ticket applies only to the dates of your service reservation. Proof of a service reservation is required and will serve as your day-use entry reservation ticket.
ZoZeppelin,zozeppelin wrote: ↑Sun Jun 13, 2021 7:52 pm Here is the official website: link.
Here is the most detailed verbiage I have found (bolded mine):Dates really aren't mentioned in the any of the other descriptions, just a 'service reservation'....Entry Reservation Tickets are included with any overnight lodging and service reservations along the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor between the West Entrance and St. Mary Entrance. This includes visitors with overnight accommodations, including Village Inn, Lake McDonald Lodge, Rising Sun Motor Inn, Granite Park and Sperry Chalets, Fish Creek Campground, or in-park private lodging, and visitors with reservations for wilderness camping, boat rides, guided hikes, horseback rides, or bus tours along the Going-to-the-Sun Road between the West and St. Mary Entrances of the park. An Entry Reservation Ticket for the day is included in your service reservation. The included Entry Reservation Ticket applies only to the dates of your service reservation. Proof of a service reservation is required and will serve as your day-use entry reservation ticket.
I fired back one final question on overnight parking locations. I forgot to ask to have their answers put on the FAQ page on the website.You’ll just need your backcountry permit email confirmation if you’d like to pick it up a day early. You’ll be asked to flash it at the gate. As for the last day of the reservation, if your backcountry trip is from 7.14-7.19, you won’t need a Going-to-the-Sun road entry ticket for 7.19, but for 7.20 you will.
Thank you! Good to have that information.zozeppelin wrote: ↑Mon Jun 28, 2021 8:01 pm Hi Scott,
GNP got back to me -
I fired back one final question on overnight parking locations. I forgot to ask to have their answers put on the FAQ page on the website.You’ll just need your backcountry permit email confirmation if you’d like to pick it up a day early. You’ll be asked to flash it at the gate. As for the last day of the reservation, if your backcountry trip is from 7.14-7.19, you won’t need a Going-to-the-Sun road entry ticket for 7.19, but for 7.20 you will.
All of these email conversations are well and good until you aren't allowed in or have your car towed, so I did request they add these to the FAQ on the website for 'official' guidance.You can park at Logan Pass if you get there early enough. Currently filling at around 7 am. Once the Highline Trail opens it may be earlier than that. The Law Enforcement Rangers may check your license plates for a backcountry permit if left more than 2 nights.
zozeppelin,zozeppelin wrote: ↑Mon Jun 28, 2021 8:01 pm Hi Scott,
GNP got back to me -
I fired back one final question on overnight parking locations. I forgot to ask to have their answers put on the FAQ page on the website.You’ll just need your backcountry permit email confirmation if you’d like to pick it up a day early. You’ll be asked to flash it at the gate. As for the last day of the reservation, if your backcountry trip is from 7.14-7.19, you won’t need a Going-to-the-Sun road entry ticket for 7.19, but for 7.20 you will.
zozeppelin,zozeppelin wrote: ↑Thu Jul 01, 2021 7:41 pm Hi Scott,
I agree it isn't clear. I can confirm the last day will not be listed on your permit nor reservation, only 'EXIT'. The quote I provided above is word for word from GNP email, but not sure how much that means at the gate. They responded today saying they'd pass along the website FAQ update request for the website, we'll see where that goes.
All that said
- You're in the middle of September if I recall, so I'll speculate that there won't be much demand at that point and they may not even be enforced.
- It's really only a problem if you're wanting to double back, because presumably your permit ends on GttSR, so you're already 'in' if your car is there.
- There should be plenty of availability for tickets 60 days in advance (again assuming mid September) such that $2 eliminates any potential issue
zoseppelin,zozeppelin wrote: ↑Fri Jul 02, 2021 12:48 pm Hi Scott,
I think you'll definitely need one as in/out of Chief Mountain wouldn't be a service reservation along GttSR that would exempt you from needing a ticket (if interpreted literally).