11:19 p.m. on April 8, 2008 (EDT)
Planning trip to Glacier Nat. Park in June
Just wondering if June 16th is a good time to arrive at Glacier if we plan to stay about 5 days and do some car camping and day hikes. Can anyone tell me what to expect as far as campground availability, snow pack?, or other things we should know. I am concerned there will be snow on the ground at the higher elevations making hiking a challenge or too many fast currents to cross as snow melts. Really, any help would be appreciated. I'm not sure what to expect at that time.
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10:26 a.m. on April 9, 2008 (EDT)
dmmoyers
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 24, 2008
Posts: 6
Re: Planning trip to Glacier Nat. Park in June
I was in GNP in early/mid June in 2007. I stayed at the Many Glacier campsite. There were plenty of open sites.
The nice thing about that time of year is that it will seem as though you have the park to yourself. There were very few people there.
The downside is that it is still early in the season there. The Going to the Sun Road was not yet open at Logan Pass. Once I got up higher on the trails, I always hit snow packs and sometimes ice bridges from the snow melt (be careful).
The Grinnell Glacier trail was open almost the entire way to the glacier. The trails to Iceberg Lake and Ptarmigan Lake were open, but I was walking on snow at elevation. The trails that do not gain that much elevation were fine.
I really enjoyed being there that time of year, but I planned the trip for solitude and relaxation. If you are wanting to "see all of the sights" at GNP, I would wait until later in the season.
Hope this helps. Have fun!
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6:41 p.m. on April 9, 2008 (EDT)
Re: Planning trip to Glacier Nat. Park in June
Just curious, did you do any fishing? See anyone catch any trout?
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10:37 a.m. on April 10, 2008 (EDT)
dmmoyers
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 24, 2008
Posts: 6
Re: Planning trip to Glacier Nat. Park in June
I did not fish, nor did I see anyone fishing.
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5:59 p.m. on April 17, 2008 (EDT)
BigSky
New Member
Joined: Mar 23, 2008
Posts: 3
Re: Planning trip to Glacier Nat. Park in June
You'll see snow there year-round. You're going to see one of the most beautiful spots on earth, in my opinion. Heed all bear advice you've ever been given. No reason to be scared, just apply intelligent back country/bear country techniques and you'll be great. You will never regret going to Glacier.
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5:34 p.m. on April 27, 2008 (EDT)
Re: Planning trip to Glacier Nat. Park in June
I agree with everything BigSky said. Everyone should check out Glacier at least once. I did about the same trip as you last summer and absolutely loved it. It truly is beautiful with tons of great hiking (snow or no snow). And as Bigsky said- make sure you're using your "bear smarts". We woke up one morning to a ranger severly disciplining our camping neighbors because they left their food out and it attracted a bunch of grizzlies. I guess we had some grizzlies 10 feet away from us while we were sleeping. Yikes!
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