Glacier National Park Chat

Tina spoke just a tad too soon as at 8:34 AM, guess who got an email that I didn't see until returning from my successful owl hunt? If you guessed me, you would be correct. It's one of the leisurely outings we applied for: OLD NON UPT

tibber wrote: ↑Tue Apr 06, 2021 1:34 pm Tina spoke just a tad too soon as at 8:34 AM, guess who got an email that I didn't see until returning from my successful owl hunt? If you guessed me, you would be correct. It's one of the leisurely outings we applied for: OLD NON UPT

How wonderful! Congratulations!

That's great tibber! Sites are moving fast, GRN is almost all gone for August. My itinerary is still available minus ELL at the end- there is still hope!

tibber wrote: ↑Tue Apr 06, 2021 1:34 pm Tina spoke just a tad too soon as at 8:34 AM, guess who got an email that I didn't see until returning from my successful owl hunt? If you guessed me, you would be correct. It's one of the leisurely outings we applied for: OLD NON UPT

Congrats on breaking the seal, hopefully the floodgates open for more good news from others

cdsmith379 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 06, 2021 5:20 pm That's great tibber! Sites are moving fast, GRN is almost all gone for August. My itinerary is still available minus ELL at the end- there is still hope!

You and me both. I'm down to 10 start dates left for 'ideal' itinerary and 14 for 'alternates', which includes SPE for ELL substitution. I figure that is at the end so it can be 'fixed' upon arrival.

I saw GRN almost blown out as well. My trick for that in the past was to reserve something like STO-KOO-FLA-out (via packers roost) and then add back in FIF-GRN upon arrival. FLA is almost always available in advance and if it is at the end if your trip, GRN/FIF usually are as well as walkins.

2261 'site nights' taken since large group reservations hit. Your guess is as good as mine, but maybe best case 30% through applications assuming 2 night average itinerary? Of course that number doesn't reflect rejections nor double site itineraries on one permit (5+ people).

Congrats, Tibber! Glad to see someone I know get a permit!

Still nothing for me. Looks like options are starting to get real low for my ideal date range, but I had a big window. So maybe something will squeak through! I'm definitely on high alert - checking my email immediately every time I see a notification!

Logged into my email during my coffee break and what do you know, an email from Glacier, I got it!

Exactly what I wanted! I even got ELL, I forgot I gave them such a wide window, the itinerary ends in Sept!

PAR-ISA-COB-NON-MOR-REH-REY-ELL-SPE

TOTALS;
Trip length 80.50 miles
Elevation up 9,703 feet
Elevation down 13,822 feet

Anyone know if the shuttle runs after labor day, or will I be hitching?

So psyched, I am booking Amtrak tickets and motels now.

Pray for good weather!

I will write a trip report!

cdsmith379 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 07, 2021 11:39 am Logged into my email during my coffee break and what do you know, an email from Glacier, I got it!

Exactly what I wanted! I even got ELL, I forgot I gave them such a wide window, the itinerary ends in Sept!

PAR-ISA-COB-NON-MOR-REH-REY-ELL-SPE

TOTALS;
Trip length 80.50 miles
Elevation up 9,703 feet
Elevation down 13,822 feet

Anyone know if the shuttle runs after labor day, or will I be hitching?

So psyched, I am booking Amtrak tickets and motels now.

Pray for good weather!

I will write a trip report!

That is just amazing in its perfection!

CHEERS!

cdsmith379 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 07, 2021 11:39 am Logged into my email during my coffee break and what do you know, an email from Glacier, I got it!

Exactly what I wanted! I even got ELL, I forgot I gave them such a wide window, the itinerary ends in Sept!

PAR-ISA-COB-NON-MOR-REH-REY-ELL-SPE

TOTALS;
Trip length 80.50 miles
Elevation up 9,703 feet
Elevation down 13,822 feet

Anyone know if the shuttle runs after labor day, or will I be hitching?

So psyched, I am booking Amtrak tickets and motels now.

Pray for good weather!

I will write a trip report!

Looks like we're linked at the hip:
NON-MOR-REF-REY-ELL

Trip length 61.60 miles
Elevation up 9,522 feet
Elevation down 11,093 feet

Shuttles will run after labor day (for a couple weeks if memory serves, the website should give a date), but I'd keep an eye on when school starts, as they'll lose a lot of drivers and this creates problems.

Can someone pls provide a link to the page where i can see which sites are still available on various nights? Thanks! David

solohiker5555 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 07, 2021 1:03 pm Can someone pls provide a link to the page where i can see which sites are still available on various nights? Thanks! David

I use this link, and click on the campground that I'm interested in. It shows how many sites are still available each day.
https://www.nps.gov/applications/glac/b ... bcmap.html

If there's a better way, I'd love to know it.

Thanks a Million!
David

The backcountry office doesn't immediately send emails out when they process applications so even though you see sites disappearing from the page it doesn't mean you lost your chance at getting it. Those disappearing sites might be part of your permit. In the past I remember it sometimes takes weeks for the confirmation emails to be sent.

So I wouldn't spend too much time looking at what is currently on the website.

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

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

Looks like a nice week to me!
ATL-MOR is actually not bad, especially considering your wife isn't an experienced hiker/backpacker if I recall what you said earlier.
The walk into ATL is virtually flat at just over 4 miles. The campground has some nice campsites over by the creek.
Bummer you can't have a fire anymore there.
If you get an early start, you'll have plenty of time after setting up your tents, etc. to take the short, flat hike up to Medicine Grizzly Lake.
Medicine Grizzly Lake is a pretty nice spot. Hike all the way around to the head of the lake and explore that area.
Day 2 hike to Morning Star Lake is another pretty easy hike with minimal elevation change. And again, your last day won't be difficult hiking out.
Then finishing up at Lake McDonald Lodge and two nights at Sperry Chalet is really nice imo
Your wife can relax and rest up for the grind up to Sperry. If it's going to be hot, try to get started early before the sun rises over the mountains.
Take your time going up so you won't get blown out for the trek up to the glacier---assuming that's your plan.
Going slow you should still get to the chalet by 2-3PM. Plenty of time to rest up, relax and enjoy the chalet.
You may want to take a quick hike up to Lincoln Pass for some great photo ops.
Maybe you'll see my old friend "Mr. Lincoln"