Hi all,
I'm taking my first trip out to Glacier with a few friends from Aug 18 (we actually get in late on the 17th) to Aug 25 (the first of us flies out late that day). We didn't get ourselves together in time to have a realistic shot at advanced permits, so we're planning on going to a back country office at the crack of dawn on the 18th for walk-ups. I know we need to have a few options ready to go since we don't know what will be available Anyone have suggestions for a 4-5 night backpacking trip?
So far it seems like the Northern Circle or the Northern Traverse seem to be in the range of what we're looking for, but we're very open to suggestions. We're willing to put in some mileage to see cooler things. Overall, I'd say we're looking to prioritize alpine views over solitude (that's why I don't have Nyack on my list based on what I've read), but would take both if we can get them - though I know that we're likely trading one for the other at this time of year. I've laid out two itineraries below for some feedback, but since these share a few campgrounds there's a possibility that if one isn't available then the other won't be either, so if anyone has a trip in another part of the park with some great views then it would be much appreciated!
I have a couple general questions - what are the odds that we'll actually be able to get either of these as walk-ups? we may be adding a 5th person - how much of an issue will this be? I think the back country permits are generally limited to 4 people and two tents/site, but I don't fancy our odds of getting 2 sites at a campground on any given night.
Northern Circle (starting at Many Glacier):
1st night - ELF/ELH (maybe COS if these aren't available? I think COS puts us at about 14 miles for the first day?)
2nd night - MOL (GLH/GLF/MOJ if not available)
3rd night - STO/KOO (any suggestions here? just going to STO seems like a shorter day, but not sure how tough the climb is coming out of the pass.)
4th night - FIF (Maybe re-route to FLA if FIF isn't available, but this seems to make for two long days back-to-back)
5th night - GRN
Northern Traverse (starting at Chief Mountain):
1st night - COS/GLF/GLH
2nd night - STO (KOO if not available)
3rd night - WAT (maybe BRO/HOL if we stay the previous night at KOO. Anyone have strong feelings about JAN, FRA, or HAW?)
4th night - BRO/HOL
5th night - UPK (KIN if not available)