Glacier NP family backpacking trip

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hjldennis
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Glacier NP family backpacking trip

Post by hjldennis »

We were looking for another great family backpacking trip to Sierra with our 8 & 10 yr olds, then all of a sudden got an urge to explore Glacier NP. It was always in our minds but the distance and time did not work out in the past. We bought non refundable tickets, and by the time we realized what we had done, we had no way out. So the last minute trip planning began which was pretty much nothing else other than choosing some possible routes.

We headed out of our home in Orange County with 4 backpacks with 6 days supplies, and flew to Kalispell, MT. After arriving at midnight, Kids and wife spent the first night in a rental car (it was 30 min drive from the airport) while I spend the night in front of the wilderness office for permits. Needless to say I was the first one in line, but still barely managed to get the permits for our preferred route, which was to go from Lake St. Mary via Gunsight trail to Lake McDonald. After returning the rental car on the following day to West Glacier, and hitching a ride back to the park, we spent the first night at Apgar CG walkin site, which was the closest campground to the shuttle stop for the ride next morning to Lake St. Mary. The next morning, we began our trek to Gunsight Lake where kids had great time fishing. On the following day, we stayed at Lake Ellen Wilson which was... just about as good as it gets. The next camp at Sperry was kind of dry in comparison to the two previous days (with a lot of mosquitoes), but still offered a fantastic view overlooking Lakw McDonald.

All in all we did some 20+ miles and went over two passes, four short but steep snow chutes, and a few waterfalls. The daily miles were less than 6-7, so the kids had no trouble, especially at a much lower elevation than a typical Sierra trip. And the views... just BREATHTAKING.

Videos are here:

short version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_08E-c4Tvm8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

for a full length:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug2bGIEtY8E" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Well.. it was great! but thinking about our next Sierra trip feels like coming back home!

Dennis
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maverick
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Re: Glacier NP family backpacking trip

Post by maverick »

Hi Dennis,

Very cool video's! Love the scenery in GP. Thunderstorm with the hail at Lake Ellen
Wilson was great. To bad people feed the goats, no way they should have come within
a mile of humans. Thanks again for the post.
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
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hjldennis
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Re: Glacier NP family backpacking trip

Post by hjldennis »

We have our eyes set on your recommendation for our next trip - 20 lakes.

Baby goats seemed be afraid of us, but not the grown ups at all. It seems that they followed us around for one thing - our salty urine. The park recommends that we urinate on rocks, otherwise it becomes tasty salad dressing for goats. My son and I found that out first hand. Sorry to be nasty....

One trail near where we were was closed due to someone shooting at a bear just days prior. He discharged his bear spray and then his hand gun, injuring the bear. It's funny how it's legal to carry a gun, but illegal to fire one. He was likely fined $500. Oh well... mixed feeling about that...
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maverick
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Re: Glacier NP family backpacking trip

Post by maverick »

One trail near where we were was closed due to someone shooting at a bear just
days prior. He discharged his bear spray and then his hand gun, injuring the bear.
It's funny how it's legal to carry a gun, but illegal to fire one. He was likely fined
$500. Oh well... mixed feeling about that...
http://www.nps.gov/glac/parknews/hiker- ... n-bear.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.nps.gov/glac/parknews/hiker- ... tinues.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
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