Eastbound PNT thru-hikers are encouraged to call the park from Sedro-Woolley, Concrete or Glacier, Washington. #cleverhiker #vanlife #pnwlife #pnwwonderland #vanbuild, The MSR Habiscape was designed for families and groups who want solid weather protection and convenience for their frontcountry camping trips. When ingested, their reproductive cysts may cause an intestinal disorder that appears weeks after your trip. 4. The East hub is St. Mary Visitor Center and the West hub is Apgar Visitor Center. Going-to-the-Sun Road is a spectacular 50-mile, paved two-lane highway bisecting Glacier National Park from west to east and spanning the width of the park, crossing the Continental Divide at 6,646-foot-high Logan Pass. It can cause severe diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea. The Apgar Backcountry Permit Center will open May 1 while stations at Two Medicine, St. Mary, and Many Glacier will open May 28, and the station at Polebridge will open May 27. LNT tells us that by concentrating impacts, including eating, sleeping, and human waste disposal, we prevent degradation of a broader area. We submitted on March 1st and then on 15th but haven't heard anything yet. ST. MARY VISITOR CENTER - Open daily from late-May to mid-September, MANY GLACIER RANGER STATION - Open daily from late-May to mid-September, TWO MEDICINE RANGER STATION - Open daily from late-May to mid-September, POLEBRIDGE RANGER STATION - Open daily from early-June to mid-September. Check out our full review in the link in our bio for more info! #azt2023 #arizonatrail #thruhike #longdistancehiking #ultralightbackpacking #hikemoreworryless #hikertrash #hiking #goingfarout, 10 Best Day Hikes in Glacier National Park, Glacier National Park Lodges Hiker's Shuttle, backcountry campground, trailhead, and area information, Hiking Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks, National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map- Glacier and Waterton Lakes Natl. Apgar campground is the largest campground in Glacier National Park. With more than 700 miles of backcountry trails traversing lush alpine meadows, glacier-carved peaks, deep valleys, and moss-fringed cirques cradling stunning azure lakes, Glacier National Park is as breathtakingly beautiful as it is physically and mentally demanding. The East Bank Trailhead, located on SR-20, is approximately 33 miles east of Marblemount, Washington, and provides the most direct access to the Pacific Northwest Trail in the park. With half of the reservations given in advance, the other half are set aside for walk-in campers. Reservations for the rest of Apgar and Sprague Creek will be available beginning April 20. Learn more below. . The following information takes you from a broad overview of the permitting process to the specific steps needed to refine your plan and enjoy a wilderness adventure in Glacier. Whether you are a PNT thru-hiker or a backpacker on a shorter trip, this guide will help you plan and prepare to visit this remote and special park in the heart of the North Cascades. Carry bear spray, have it in an easily accessible location, and know how to use it. For this reason, trail status reports only offer a snapshot of trail conditions and should be used in conjunction with other tools such as weather reports, prior backpacking experience in Glacier, and assessment of your own backpacking skill level. There is also limited pack storage on the buses especially when every seat is full, so youll likely need to set your pack in an aisle or on your lap. Parks and found it to be a good resource (be sure to add in mileage though). Please do not approach or feed wildlife, either in a vehicle or on foot. Due to the rugged terrain on the coast and tidal restrictions, it takes most hikers about four days to travel between Oil City and Ozette. Section hikers (backpackers traveling 500 miles or less on the PNT) are required to make an advance permit on Recreation.gov, or make a walk-in permit by visiting a permit-issuing ranger station. Learn about ways to avoid an interaction. Camping is limited to a maximum of two (2) nights at any one (1) campsite. 10 am to 4 pm. West Glacier, MT 59936, US. Park Home Plan Your Visit Basic Information Operating Hours & Seasons Operating Hours & Seasons Plowing away winter snows from Glacier's roads can take two and a half to three months. . Casey's partner hiking on the South Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon with a Gregory Paragon 58 backpack. It is possible that the sites you hope to reserve will have been taken by other backpackers well in advance. Backpackers coming in from Waterton Lakes National Park in southern Alberta have a few other options. . What Roads are Open? 3. This map guide was laid out to help you decide which trails to explore using distance, slope difficulty and the hike/authors recommendations. Goat Haunt is a U.S.Class B Port of Entry and you will not be allowed to pass through the Goat Haunt Ranger Station without proper documentation, whether you start or end at your backpacking trip in Canada or the United States. The campground itself is situated in trees and provides tent and RV campers . The Polebridge Ranger Station is the most likely location for an eastbound journey on the Pacific Northwest Trail. Ozette Campground Concentrating impacts essentially creates small pockets of impact and leaves nearly pristine conditions over larger areas. Depending on your itinerary, you can camp here or get water before hiking through Bighorn Basin up to Dawson Pass. West side trails start at around 3,200 feet in elevation, are more heavily forested, and offer the greatest solitude. Advance reservations must be picked up in person at a permitting location before traveling to the trailhead. Urinate on rocks, gravel, or snow to minimize vegetation damage and destructive digging caused by salt seeking animals. SHOES OR BOOTS:We wore theSaucony Peregrine 8'sand Brooks Cascadia 13s on this trail and they were both excellent. Also, many roads within Glacier National Park are seasonal. Many Glacier Ranger Station. . Use extreme caution when crossing steep snowfields on trails and in the backcountry. The trails to some of the best views in the park are rarely easy, but the rewards will surely be worth it. We learned about the closure pretty early on, and decided we would just do half of the trail in spring and then come back in fall to finish the rest. St. Mary Visitor Center Backcountry permits and bear canister rental Heather's husband spending some quality time with their dog on the Exped Megamat in Tygh Valley. Many westbound hikers that plan to exit the park at this trailhead will be able to travel across the park in a single day and will not need a permit. Long-distance hikers and thru-hikers will camp in many of these parks and adjacent public lands while traveling along the Pacific Northwest Trail. Youll end up back at Lake McDonald Lodge. Note: This is not in the Apgar Visitor Center (a common mistake). The logistics of this hike will take some pre-planning, but can be a fun way to end a backpacking trip. PNTA Strip Maps, North Cascades Backcountry Trip Planner Map The campground has a vault toilet. Wildlife, including bears, may still be active, so remain alert and carry bear spray. Head over to our full review at the link in our bio to see why we think this pad is such an awesome value. Bear canister rental, grocer Phone Number: (406) 888-7800. Another option is to complete this loop and then head north towards Goat Haunt. Moving at moderate pace helps ensure a safe and enjoyable visit in Glacier National Park. To learn more about crossing the border during your trip, visit the NPS website addressing details. Regulations require that all edibles, food containers (empty or not), cookware (clean or not), and trash be secure by suspending from any NPS designated food hanging device or in an Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) approved bear resistant container when not in use, day or night. Backpackers on longer trips (4 or more nights) may take walk-in sites well in advance. If you want to add for miles (and beauty! Note that camping options are extremely limited on this route in the national park and that the route does not appear on the Parks backcountry trip planning map. This Port of Entry is scheduled to reopen on May 15th for the first time in over three years making travel between Waterton Park, Alberta and northwest Montana much more convenient for PNT hikers in 2023. They are valid only for the dates, locations, and party size specified. Casey wearing REI's Midweight Base Layer Half Zip Shirt, Mountain Hardwear Dynama Pants, and Altra Lone Peak shoes to play on some rocks at Smith Rock. The best way to do this is to park a car at the Belly River Trailhead and backpack to Goat Haunt. Most hikers will exit the PNT at the Eastbank Trailhead (mile 746) and find transportation to rejoin the trail at the next accessible point, such as Hannegan Pass (mile 793). On top of that, there was a rockslide on the North Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon that will leave that part of the AZT closed until June. West Glacier, MT 59936, US. Glacier National Park: Guide to the West Side Erin Exploring CDT Alternate: Dawson Pass (SOBO) RightOnTrek But once through backpackers emerge to sweeping vistas of glacial carved valleys, pristine lakes and dense forests, and, more important, relative solitude. If heading into the backcountry, you'll need to bring at least 25 feet of rope, a food storage bag, and a carabiner in order to hang your food. . This video will guide you through planning a trip to Glacier's backcountry and provide needed safety and resource protection information. . It is possible to reserve an advance permit that will allow you to cross the Park in four or five days due to the distance between campsites. After the call, Park Rangers will email you a permit that can be downloaded to your smartphone or printed and carried with you while you are visiting the Park. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations. Eastbound PNT hikers visiting the Olympic Mountains may access the Pacific Northwest Trail on the west side of the Park from the Bogachiel Trailhead on the Olympic National Forest,11 miles south of Forks, Washington. . POCKET KNIFE:We brought along a small Swiss Army Knife, which came in handy here and there. The eponymous Lake McDonald Lodge offers parking, restaurants, trails, and boating. Those that choose to camp in the park will need to obtain valid backcountry permits in advance. Olympic Permit Planner Wilderness Coast If you're flexible with dates and locations, you can almost always piece together a great trip. Last Permit is issued hour prior to station closing. GTTSR (as its often abbreviated) is a serpentine lesson in geological, ecological, and human history. This year, the Arizona Trail had some unique perks and challenges for thru-hike hopefuls. Apgar Nature Center: Open mid-June through August. See PNTAs section overview maps and strip maps for more information on routes in the park. COOKING SYSTEM:We used the BRS Stovealong with our Snow Peak Mini Solo Cooksetand Snow Peak Folding Spoonon these trips, all of which make our top picks gear listand best lightweight stove list. If youre arriving in East Glacier, you can hop on The East Side Shuttle, which runs from Glacier Park Lodge to St. Marys and costs $15 each way. Glacier Shuttle System Visitors to the Wilderness Coast section of the PNT will need to be prepared for coastal travel and to plan their trip around the tides. GPS data points are also available. Apgar is located in Glacier National Park at the lower end of Lake McDonald and two miles from the West Glacier entrance. We highly recommend visiting a permit issuing station in Glacier NP if you are trying to secure a walk-up permit. A water bottle filling station is located at the Apgar Visitor Center, which is two miles north of the West Entrance. Shuttle transports get trickier, and at the end of September, staff starts to remove 25 seasonal bridges. Accommodations inside the park are very limited. We recommend setting aside some time in your itinerary to take in the biggest lake in the park - Lake McDonald. Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) - NPS Generally, all backcountry permitting office open at 7 am, but we recommend checking with each office as this can change from season to season. Equipment rental in West Glacier is available. During the wildfire closure, 49 miles of the PNT will remain open. Glacier National Parks website offers this insider take on planning: In the broadest sense, Glacier's backcountry comes in two flavorseast and west, roughly split along the Continental Divide. In a high snow year, or if snow arrives late in the season. The Pacific Northwest Trail explores 49 miles of some of the most remote and spectacular trails in Glacier National Park. See our directions and transportation page for more information. Do you prefer high alpine hiking or forested trails with occasional views? It is possible to access Port Angeles from both the red and blue routes of the PNT. But there's another even better reason to start at Chief Mountain Customs: The best and most stunning views on this trail are right in your line of vision, instead of behind you. No reservations for. Map of shuttle routes & stops provided by nps.gov. Depending on where you are in the park and time of year, insects run the gamut from present and only biting the susceptible to outright vicious. Campgrounds scheduled to open in April and May include: Apgar. Learn more about how to get a permit for your adventure below. Apgar Campground Fish Creek Campground Avalanche Campground Sprague Creek Campground 5 Best Primitive Camping Sites Bowman Lake Campground Cut Bank Campground Kintla Lake Campground Logging Creek Campground Quartz Creek Campground At A Glance: The Best Glacier National Park Campgrounds Vehicle Reservations Glacier Campground FAQs From May 1 through October 31, there is a $10 permit fee and additional $7/night per person camping fee payable upon permit issuance at a wilderness permit office. For this reason, the maximum daily mileage between camps is limited to 16 miles on Recreation.gov. Two Medicine Ranger Station, Best for Eastbounders 6. Glacier National Park Backpacking, Backcountry Camping Glacier National Park Spring Operations for 2022 PNT hikers should note that there is a 16 mile-per-day limit on advance reservations made through the Recreation.gov website. #optoutside #cleverhiker #reianniversarysale #hikemoreworryless #hiking #getoutside, Big Agnes has a solid reputation for making some of the most comfortable backpacking products on the market. . Same-day walk-in permits may also be available, learn more below. . Below are some quick tips: Stay at least 100 yards away from bears (especially mama bears and their cubs), Let a bear know you're there by clapping, making noise, singing, etc, Avoid hiking solo - best to be in a small group. Some areas will require special skills and equipment to visit safely and responsibly. Eventually, youll begin a gradual climb uphill after a footbridge approaching Gunsight Lake. The State of Montana maintains a tourism website that may be helpful in finding nearby accommodations: visitmt.com. If traveling between Goat Haunt and Waterton, you'll need to bring your passport. Be sure to include your phone number, as a ranger will call you and develop your itinerary with you. Two other good lightweight options are the Sawyer Squeeze and Aquamira Drops or Pills. For specific trail descriptions and other planning tools, visit Glacier's non-profit partner, the Glacier National Park Conservancy. We hope this guide helps you plan an awesome, safe, and memorable adventure. Apgar Backcountry Permit Center; St. Mary Visitor Center; Many Glacier Ranger Station; Two Medicine Ranger Station; Polebridge Ranger Station; Grand . During the peak summer season (Mid-July to end of August), backcountry campsites are very competitive. The Copper Spur is one of the top picks on our best lightweight backpacking tentslist. Glacier is without a doubt one of the most spectacular national parks in the United States. Out-and-back trips will still be permitted in the park. Failure to possess and display a valid backcountry permit may result in a fine and/or immediate removal from the national park. Glacier National Park is transitioning to the Recreation.gov online reservation system. Most wildlife, including bears, are very active in the spring, so remain alert and carry bear spray. Glacier NP Permit Planner We hope all is well in your world! Sign up to get our curated emails with the best content from CleverHiker and around the backpacking world. Wilderness Trip Planner The office remains open through the end of October. Olympic National Park Wilderness Permit page. Information regarding the use of stock in wilderness can be found on our Private Stock Use page. Coming from the east, westbound PNT thru-hikers will enter the park from the Pasayten Wilderness high atop the Devils Ridge Trail above the shores of Ross Lake. All of these thing can help you refine and square up your itinerary. We're Dave & Annie, the outdoor adventurers behind CleverHiker. Follow CleverHiker on Facebook to catch our latest updates & shares. During peak season, the WIC can be extremely busy assisting other visitors. Glacier National Park staff strongly encourage backpackers to use the new advance reservation system to take advantage of higher campsite quotas and to eliminate the stress of competing for a walk-in permit at the height of the busy summer season. Check out our Best Lightweight Backpacking Food Guideand our Best Freeze Dried Backpacking Mealsfor some of our go-to recommendations. Permits will not be issued after 4:30 pm at any location. Consider taking a zero day to rest and enjoy a trail town while you wait. *The Waterton Visitor Centre relies on telephone access to Glacier NP in order to issue permits. The limited flight schedule usually means it's more convenient (and cheaper) to fly into Calgary, 165 miles north of Waterton. The portion of Going-to-the-Sun Road from West Glacier to Lake McDonald Lodge is usually plowed and open year-round, weather permitting, but most other roads remain inaccessible by vehicle. If you plan on hiking in the Belly River region, starting or finishing your hike at Goat Haunt, you may consider using this shuttle service for an interesting way to begin/end your hike in Canada. Hiking Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks - We used this guidebook to plan many of our multi-day backpacking trips in Glacier. page on the Glacier Backcountry Site to make a plan for your trip to the permitting office the next morning. Theyre lightweight, warm, and make our list of the best backpacking sleeping bags. We have KMZ and GPX files for wilderness campgrounds, trailheads, and trails, that you can import into mapping programs (Google Earth, Cal Topo, etc.) Visitors can go straight to the other permit offices where no vehicle reservations are required if they do not have a Going-to-the-Sun Road reservation, which will be . The reason? We recently sold our old adventure van and bought a new one to accommodate our growing family. Hours vary by seaon. . It may take up to 24 hours for WIC staff to return your call, so plan accordingly. It is recommended that westbound hikers call the WIC at least 48 hours before they begin hiking across the Olympic Mountains. Dispersed, or at-large camping, is not allowed anywhere in these national parks. It covers the gamut. No fees are charged for walk-in permits. The Recreation.gov website is a convenient way to reserve an advance permit for a shorter backpacking trip. Generally, the park is less crowded, wildlife is more active, and the trees are turning colors by mid-September. We put our Unbound pack to the test over hundreds of miles in the Sonoran Desert, and we think its a big win for long-distance hiking and ultralight backpacking. Operating hours changing at Glacier National Park - KPAX News Availability is first-come, first-served. Sedro-Woolley, Washington 98284. If you don't have the proper documentation, be prepared to head back the direction you came. If the backcountry office is unable to award an advance reservation itinerary based on the scope of your trip, the $30 fulfilled trip request fee will be refunded. Wilderness Information Center, Marblemount, Washington. The protozoan Giardia lamblia may be present in lakes and streams. If you need a permit before then, visit a Wilderness Information Center or call the WIC at (360) 565-3100. The following information takes you from a broad overview of the permitting process to the specific steps needed to refine your plan and enjoy a wilderness adventure in Glacier. To learn about ferries in Goat Haunt, visit this website. If you are heading into the backcountry, Glacier requires every person to watch a short video reviewing necessary information on bears and food storage. Before you apply for your permit, we recommend learning more about the Pacific Northwest Trail using the resources below. Trail Alert Severe wildfire damage has prompted a closure of 11 miles of the PNT in the Northwest corner of the park. Be aware that your first choice may already be reserved. We recommend Counter Assault Bear Deterrent Spray. Backcountry Permits - PNT Out-and-back trips will still be permitted in the park. For further information call (406) 338-7207. The, Learn more about dispersed camping on our national forests here, Learn more about snow and choosing a start date here, North Cascades Backcountry Trip Planner Map, Learn more about thru-hiking in the Park here, Learn about where to obtain a permit in-person here, Olympic Permit Planner Wilderness Coast, Port Angeles Wilderness Information Center, public transit and private shuttle services, Learn more about food storage requirements on the PNT here. Special snow travel equipment, like microspikes and an ice axe, and the ability to self-arrest, may be required to safely traverse the PNT and to be granted a permit by park staff. Current Trail Alerts and Closures, Long-Distance Hiking Resources Before calling, have an itinerary ready and other resources on hand to help plan your trip. Use rain gear before you become wet. Have a plan for what to do if you encounter a bear. Porter services to deliver your gear to backcountry campsites are available. Many people avoid these logistics by doing on out-and-back from either Kintla or Bowman Lakes. Dave wearing the REI Sahara Shade Sun Hoodie and prAna Stretch Zion Shorts on Silver Star Mountain. PNTA Overview Maps PNT thru-hikers should be prepared to leave a message and await a call back from WIC staff. Getting around on the Olympic Peninsula can involve traveling long distances to reach the PNT. The remaining 40% are set aside for walk-up permits. If heading into the backcountry, you'll need to bring at least 25 feet of rope, a food storage bag, and a carabiner in order to hang your food. You can get this in person up to 24 hours in advance of your trip at the Apgar Backcountry Permit Center. Many will have walked for 7-9 days across the wilderness to reach the park. From here, you can take the water shuttle to Waterton Townsite and then use the Chief Mt. Glacier Backcountry Trip Planning - Worcester Polytechnic Institute As always, please leave us a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions. Apgar Visitor Center: Open year round. Once you pay the national park entrance fee, you get free and unlimited access to the Park Shuttle System. The following items should be carried on every trip into Glaciers wilderness: Wilderness camping is available in 65 designated campgrounds throughout the park, with the exception of the Nyack / Coal Creek camping zone where both designated campgrounds and at large camping are available. A good place to start is to consider how many days you want to be on the trail, how far you want to go, how much water and food youll need to carry, and what your objectives are. While Going-to-the-Sun Road is being plowed, and as conditions permit, it is often open to hikers and bicyclists only. Winter wilderness camping permits (November 1April 30) are free. Park transit users and motorists have many opportunities for views along the well-designed and built road. Please visit the Wilderness Permit Advance Reservations page for details and procedures for obtaining advance reservations this year. PNTA is proud to work with corporate partners to build a world-class experience for all who wander along the Pacific Northwest Trail. Youll stay on the CDT until you reach the Granite Park Chalet and then swing east on the Swiftcurrent Trail towards Many Glacier. Undesignated Camping Regulations. Resupply most PNT hikers will resupply in Port Townsend and in Forks, Washington. *The Waterton Visitor Centre will only issue permits for trips entering at Waterton Townsite (WTE), Goat Haunt Ranger Station (GSE), and Belly River (BRE) trailheads Youll need a valid (and current) passport to take the Waterton Lake Tour Boat in or out of Goat Haunt, Montana. Return to Top, Download the official NPS app before your next visit, *The Waterton Visitor Centre will only issue permits for trips entering at Waterton Townsite (WTE), Goat Haunt Ranger Station (GSE), and Belly River (BRE) trailheads. . The Hannegan Trail on the adjacent Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest will also remain open for out-and-back trips. You should also be aware of the potential for transit delays. It takes, on average, 2 hours to travel the full length of the road. Learn more about the advance reservation process on the Parks website. . Seasonality Summer arrives late in the North Cascades. As you begin preparations for your backcountry trip to Glacier, you may find the planning process - most notably the permit process - to be complex and, at times, exhausting. There is no running water. Lower portions of Going-to-the-Sun Road are open year-round, but the entire road does not usually open until late June or early July, and the Logan Pass area is not accessible by vehicle until then. Apgar Visitor Center. Visit the. HAND SANITIZER: Always apply after using a bathroom and before eating. Public transit may be available from both access points. Recreation.gov, Front Country Campground Info New videos, trip reports, gear reviews, inspiring stories and more. At the Apgar Visitor Center, you will be able to find park rangers to assist you in planning your day in the park. Camping Layer with synthetic or wool clothing as a base layer. Planning around snow conditions Use a combination of permethrinon your clothing and bring a small bottle ofDEETor Picaridin for exposed skin to provide full protection. West Glacier, MT 59936, US. Hiking later in the season is often bug-free. Learn more about the challenges of coastal travel here. Times vary depending on the free National Park Service Shuttle, but it typically takes about 45-50 minute to get from Many Glacier/SwiftCurrent Motor Inn to St. Mary Visitor Center. Great Falls, 200 miles southeast, and Missoula, 150 miles south are more direct flights from many U.S. cities, but most likely require renting a car. On April 15th, 2023, all permit reservations for the peak summer season, May 15th through October 15th, will become available. Park staff recommend that you arrive early the day before your intended trip start date for the best campsite availability. Glacier Park releases campground schedule, backcountry permit update Each wilderness campground has 2-7 campsites. Permitting locations convenient for hikers starting the PNT on the east side of the park include the Two Medicine Ranger Station and the St. Mary Visitor Center. We all have a responsibility to reduce our impact on the places we love. to aid in planning your trip in the park. Keep in mind that conditions on the PNT may be very different from other long trails you have hiked before. National Park Service policy requires that the parks character not be degraded and remain unimpaired for future use and enjoyment.
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