3 days in Glacier national park
October 4, 2017 8:27 PM Subscribe
I'll be spending this upcoming weekend (plus Monday) in Glacier national park. This is my first trip, and I don't know what to do given all the current closures. Help!
Posts like this leave me optimistic about still having a good time, despite the fires.
I am not the strongest hiker, but I am hoping to do some day hikes in the ~5 hour range. For the last day, I am thinking driving around to see more of the park with some short ~30/60 minute hikes along the way could be a good finish. Glaciers are what I am really excited to experience (of course), so Grinnell Glacier is on the list. What else?
#lastminutefilter bonus question: every hotel in the park seems to be closed or booked. Where would be a good place to look? I know the drive from the hotel to any trailheads will be at least an hour.
I'll be coming from the east (Wyoming) if that matters.
Posts like this leave me optimistic about still having a good time, despite the fires.
I am not the strongest hiker, but I am hoping to do some day hikes in the ~5 hour range. For the last day, I am thinking driving around to see more of the park with some short ~30/60 minute hikes along the way could be a good finish. Glaciers are what I am really excited to experience (of course), so Grinnell Glacier is on the list. What else?
#lastminutefilter bonus question: every hotel in the park seems to be closed or booked. Where would be a good place to look? I know the drive from the hotel to any trailheads will be at least an hour.
I'll be coming from the east (Wyoming) if that matters.
Glacier NP is not really the place to go to see glaciers, alas. Some of its magnificence was formed by glaciers, but the actual glaciers are mostly (long) gone.
Considering the fires and your desires, you might want to head to Jasper or Banff, where there are glaciers still, though they too are much diminished.
These days Mt Rainier in the lower 48 , the rockies in BC and alaska are the places to see actual glaciers of any meaningful size in north america
posted by OHenryPacey at 6:50 AM on October 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Considering the fires and your desires, you might want to head to Jasper or Banff, where there are glaciers still, though they too are much diminished.
These days Mt Rainier in the lower 48 , the rockies in BC and alaska are the places to see actual glaciers of any meaningful size in north america
posted by OHenryPacey at 6:50 AM on October 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Now is my best chance to visit, so i want to at least see a little of it. Given the closures, I'm thinking of staying near St Mary, and hiking around Grinnell or Two Medicine.
I'll have to add West Glacier, Mt Ranier, and the Rockies to my bucket list.
posted by isnotchicago at 9:31 AM on October 5, 2017
I'll have to add West Glacier, Mt Ranier, and the Rockies to my bucket list.
posted by isnotchicago at 9:31 AM on October 5, 2017
A third of all glaciers in the lower 48 states are in North Cascades National Park.
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 1:15 PM on October 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 1:15 PM on October 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
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What about going to the Grand Tetons or Yellowstone* instead? Some services will be closed but there is lots of day hiking to be had. I'm a little concerned you don't know what you're getting into if you've done no preparation for a major trip so please learn how to safely hike in cold conditions.
*Check road conditions for snow.
posted by AFABulous at 9:42 PM on October 4, 2017