akamina3 wrote:To the OP, it sounds like you are used to hiking somewhere busier than Waterton.
In my experience, few people camp at Alderson, and it is mostly a stop on the way down to the townsite after starting a few hours earlier at Cameron Lake.
Goat is a pretty enough spot, but again I have seen few people camp there. It is mostly either a turnaround spot for an 8 mile from Red Rock Canyon, or a waypoint to/from Avion Ridge or Newman Peak.
Waterton isn't the backpacking destination that you see in Glacier. I have hiked to or through every backcountry campground in Waterton as part of a day hike. Waterton offers spectacular scenery, just shorter hiking and fewer people.
It does not surprise me that you surprised them with reservation requests this early in the year.
Have fun!
You're right... i normally hike in GNP or elsewhere, and i have a nice 9 day trek in GNP but am arriving 5 days before that one begins. So i thought i would check out Waterton, take a peak at the backside of Boulder Pass (my favorite spot in GNP) from the Carthew-Alderson trail and spend a few lazy days at Alderson and Goat Lakes, fishing etc. Will likely day hike onto Avion Ridge on my down day at Goat. Would welcome suggestions for more secluded lakes with good fishing if you know of any.