Glacier National Park
West Glacier, Montana
July 7-14, 2018
Trip Leaders: Mary Weerts and Sharon Williams
Type of Trip: Hiking
Cost: $770 +Airfare
Cancellation Date and full payment: April 7, 2018
Adults Only
Maximum number: 10
Minimum number: 10
Wilderness Level: 2-3 Emergency help usually more than 2 hrs away and no cell service
Difficulty: Moderate Level
This trip to the incomparable Glacier National Park is planned as if this will be your only time at Glacier. Hopefully you will see enough glaciers & waterfalls & such to make you want to return.
CIWC club members will meet at the Kalispell airport, MT on Saturday 7/7/18 by 2pm. We will stop in Columbia Falls to stock up on food & bear spray (2). Then we’ll continue toward the park & eat dinner on the west side of the park before enjoying the spectacular views while crossing / driving "Going to the Sun" road until arriving at the east side of the park. Our first day will be to acclimate with a short hike
We will have shared sleeping arrangements in a 6 bedroom, 3 bath house on the water at Duck Lake near the Many Glacier area. From there, we’ll have a view of the lake to the East & Glacier Park & Chief Mountain to the West. There is a wraparound deck, grill, outdoor furniture, fire pit & chairs, boat dock (if adventurous, bring a swimsuit), cows, horses & occasional bear. TV with CD, DVD & board games, no wifi at the house yet. Seasonal eateries & small shops are nearby. Breakfast & dinner will be provided, lunch and trail snacks are participants’ responsibility. There will be planned meals for each day. Everyone is asked to help with cooking & "dish duty".
The itinerary for daily hikes will be subject to trail closures due to snow & / or bear activity.
Potential hikes are:
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2 Medicine Valley: Scenic Point (moderate, 7 mile, 2230 elevation, 4-5 hours), with optional hike of Running Eagle Falls (0.3 mile),
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Going to the Sun hikes including Hidden Lake (moderate, 6 miles, start by 8am or after 6pm, limited parking)
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St Mary Falls(3 miles, 230' elevation) & Virginia Falls
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Iceberg Lake hike (moderate, 9.5 miles, 1700 elevation, 5-6 hours) discover the treasures of the glacier's interior on this vista filled hike. May walk on snow
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Grinnel Glacier – from the Swift Current boat ride the hike is 3.8 each way to touch the toe of the glacier and 1600 ft elevation gain.
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Other hikes in Swift Current area – Red Rock/Bull Lake/Fisher Lake (10 miles)
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St Mary's Lake -- Waterfalls Wonder Hike (moderate, 6 miles, 5 hours)
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Apikuni Falls hike(moderate, 2 miles, 1-2 hours)at base of Henkel mountain, long ribbon of water cascades from Natalke Lake)
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Avalanche Lake Hike (moderate, 3 & 1/2 hours, 5 mile) journey through a majestic old growth forest to scenic Avalanche Lake.
There will also be an optional Blackfeet Singers and Dancers at St Mary's Visitor Center Auditorium 90 minutes for a $5.00 fee. We will spend a day at nearby Browning for the annual Northern Indian American Days (Canadian and American, from as far away as Florida), dates are set but not a schedule of events yet. We might attend dancing Thursday night (not disco!). Plan to dress in layers and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. You should be well conditioned and able to hike at least ten miles with loaded day pack to be physically prepared for this trip.
Price includes: Lodging in vacation home, transportation in rental vehicles, 7 breakfasts/6 dinners, and park entrance. Airfare / travel to & from Kalispell is not included. Meals 7/7 and 7/14 are on your own. Dependent upon your return flight to Indy, you may also require a Saturday night stay near the airport that is not included. It is also recommended that you purchase bear spray. This may be a shared group cost not included in the price.
