Glacier National Park Chat

Just seen this on GNP webpage, any locals know whats going on?


"Waterton Shoreline Cruises boat may not be landing at Goat Haunt in 2019 to pick up or drop off backpackers"

I have no inside information and was surprised to see this myself as I was considering a trip out of Goat Haunt. For those that haven’t seen this, Goat Haunt shelters cannot be reserved in advance during summer 2019. And if Goat Haunt doesn’t open, an additional 8.5 mile hike down the lake from Waterton townsite may be necessary.

Someone inquired about it on the Waterton Shoreline Cruise’s Facebook page, and they responded saying “We plan to operate but contact Glacier National Park as to whether Goat Haunt will be open.” So it doesn’t seem to be an issue on the side of the boat company.

Is this a Border Patrol or Homeland Security thing?

mattB wrote:Is this a Border Patrol or Homeland Security thing?

That was my first thought too.
Well...you know Matt, we gotta stop those "terrorists" disguised as backpackers from bringing in 20 kilos of C-4 in their backpacks.
They might try to blow up Mt Cleveland.
/sarc

teapot57 wrote:...And if Goat Haunt doesn’t open, an additional 8.5 mile hike down the lake from Waterton townsite may be necessary...

And a God awful 8.5 miles it is...or was for me!

Did that hike with Heff936 and paul going north one day after riding the boat down to Goat Haunt.
All I recall is that it was a relentless up and down hike through the woods with no views and lots of big black biting flies of some kind.

Plus the Homeland Security guy at Goat Haunt Customs was a real a-hole. He shouted at me to "PUT THAT CAMERA DOWN" when I was trying to video Heff and Paul at the customs shack.

FWIW...
pete

Well this puts my FRA BOU HOL JAN GOA up in the ar.

Not sure what to do now.

ohioguy wrote:Well this puts my FRA BOU HOL JAN GOA up in the ar.

Not sure what to do now.

The BC Office is closed, so...
I would start by calling the GNP Headquarters Office and ask them what's going on.
You might even try calling your Congressional Representative's local office as well.
Explain your situation to them. March 15th deadline etc.

pete

PeteE wrote:

teapot57 wrote:...And if Goat Haunt doesn’t open, an additional 8.5 mile hike down the lake from Waterton townsite may be necessary...

And a God awful 8.5 miles it is...or was for me!

Did that hike with Heff936 and paul going north one day after riding the boat down to Goat Haunt.
All I recall is that it was a relentless up and down hike through the woods with no views and lots of big black biting flies of some kind.

Plus the Homeland Security guy at Goat Haunt Customs was a real a-hole. He shouted at me to "PUT THAT CAMERA DOWN" when I was trying to video Heff and Paul at the customs shack.

FWIW...
pete

I remember that Homeland Security guy, he acted like his job was secret service protecting the president. Too serious and obnoxious. I didn't think the hike was that bad, I don't remember the flies and I only remember one hill that was steep and long. It was my first time on that trail for me and I tend to enjoy hikes I haven't done before.

I think the fire a couple of years ago might have burned out a lot of trees a long the trail. So the hike might be exposed to the sun more than it was years ago.

Tried to call today, got the press 1 for ect.... anyone have a number
that someone answers the phone?

ohioguy wrote:Tried to call today, got the press 1 for ect.... anyone have a number
that someone answers the phone?

The only number I have is the Backcountry Office which is 406 888-7857.
I'll do my best to get out to the park headquarters tomorrow afternoon if I can...or at least before the weekend.
Maybe I'll be able find out what's going on.

pete

ohioguy wrote:Tried to call today, got the press 1 for ect.... anyone have a number
that someone answers the phone?

Instead of pressing one of the preset numbers try pressing 0. Some systems will connect you to a live person.

I just got back from park headquarters and a productive conversation with "Teagan".
https://home.nps.gov/glac/learn/news/meettheteam.htm
Scroll down.

The issue is a "water quality" problem at Goat Haunt.
The Park Service must have a qualified water tech at Goat Haunt to operate and maintain the clean water system there.
Otherwise they can't open the Goat Haunt facility to anyone, including park staff.
The boats will not be allowed to drop anyone at Goat Haunt, not just backpackers.

The US Border Patrol staff are not affected and will still be there.
Teagan said they are trying to get the qualified person on board asap.
They are well aware of the planning issues folks like OhioGuy have and they hope to have a statement out before the backpacking lottery on March 15th.
She said that qualified people for this position are hard to find and hire.
So that's what's going on.

Backpackers will still be able to hike in on the 8.5 mile trail as discussed above.
Have your passport since the U.S. Border Patrol will be there in any case.

pete

EDIT ADD:

OhioGuy, you don't owe me anything. I like helping out chatters when I can.

I'm glad I was able to talk to Teagan in person.
When I arrived the main entrance office was closed for renovation with a note to call the main number.
But then it said if you didn't have a phone to knock on the door at the building's south end. So I did, and Teagan answered the door.

She was busy on the phone but when done she was really nice.
Not knowing who I was talking to until later, I thought I might get a bureaucratic run-around non answer.
Instead, Teagan was really great and explained the situation in much more detail than I ever expected.

I see now why she holds the position described in her mini bio in the link above.
Teagan is "top drawer" in my book. GNP and the park service are lucky to have her.

Thx Pete !!!!!!!

I am going to put in for my hike based on doing the xtra 8.5 but
IMO they will get this straighten out before August.

IOU dinner, if we get the hike I'll be looking for you.

The day after Pete's visit on March 6th (thanks Pete), they added information about this at the top of the Backcountry Advance Reservations page:

https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/ ... ations.htm

It's worded like they're cautiously optimistic that this will be resolved as they get into the season, while setting expectations that it may not.