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Glacier National Park in three days

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Glacier National Park in three days
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We're trying to plan a whirlwind trip of WY and MT in 10 days at the end of June. We have unfortunately only three days in GNP, and we want to get as much hiking in as possible. We will be leaving very early on Monday July 28th and making the drive up from Yellowstone NP, which is about 8 hours per googlemaps. We know we won't be able to get a campsite arriving in the late afternoon, so we were going to get a hotel for that night and then leave very early (6am) to drive to either Many Glacier Campground or the Two Medicine Campground and try to secure a spot for the next two days, and then we're heading over to the west side of GNP for one night. We want to hike the Iceberg Lake Trail for sure, and then another day of hiking on the east side, and then planning on hiking the Highline Loop Trail on the West side the third day and finding a campsite over there.We already called all the hotels in the GNP and they are booked for all of July. We are trying to figure out if we should try and find a hotel outside the park for the first night and then attempt to find a campsite at Many Glacier CG early the next morning so we can set up camp quick and then go right to hiking the Iceberg Trail, or if we should stay in a motel like the Dancing Bears Inn and go with Two Medicine CG near that since we are planning on taking the Going to the Sun Road to the west side a couple of days later anyway. We're in our early 30's, are adventurous, and are basically just looking for beautiful views and a place to lay our heads at night. We don't have any particular budget restrictions, but would much prefer to tent camp rather than stay in a motel. Any advice given would be very much appreciated!

indiana
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for Glacier National Park
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1. Re: Glacier National Park in three days
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I don't camp so will defer that to others. Just wanted to say that on heavy snow years sometimes the Highline trail doesn't clear for hikers till the first week of July. If the sign is up that the trail is closed, please adhere to that and don't go on as others in the past have, at times with deadly results.

Louisville, Kentucky
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2. Re: Glacier National Park in three days
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Cancellations frequently occur in the park hotels, so you might want to keep calling. I would suggest trying to get a room in Swiftcurrent Motor Lodge since you can walk right from your room to the Iceberg trailhead. As far as your planned hikes, keep in mind that in addition to weather conditions that can close a trail as Hikes mentioned above, trails can also be closed due to bear activity, so always check with the park service the day before you plan your hike and have a plan B ready.

There are so many great hiking options in Glacier. If the Highline is closed, you might want to check out Hidden Lake Overlook which also starts from Logan Pass visitors Center.

http://www.hikinginglacier.com/glacier-top-ten-hikes.htm

Mahtomedi, Minnesota
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Did you try Johnsons in St Mary? it would take half the time to get to Many Glacier then from East Glacier.

Issaquah, WA
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We have been to GNP several times and love to hike. Our family favorite is the Highline Trail/Garden Wall - it is truly spectacular. We parked at a small lot on the GToS Road where the trail ends and took the shuttle up to Logan Pass Visitor Center, then hiked from there back to our car. I strongly encourage you NOT to park at Logan Pass and shuttle back at the end of your hike, as the shuttles end relatively early. (We ended up taking 5 stranded hikers back up the mountain as they did not plan accordingly.) The trail climbs gradually 1,000 feet over the first 7.6 miles to the Chalet, where you can buy snacks and water (better to bring your own, as it is priced like gold - we thought we were prepared, but it was very hot the day we hiked and we ran out). After the Chalet, you have a 4 mile descent back to your car. This hike offers unparalleled views, beautiful wildflowers, marmots, mountain goats, mule deer and more.

Another favorite, much shorter and simpler hike, is to Avalanche Lake. 6 miles roundtrip if you go to the far end of the lake, which I recommend as the best way to escape the crowds. Most of the hike is through forest, along a lovely creek. No big views, but the lake is gorgeous. Decent fishing for small trout at the far end of the lake. We have seen moose at the lake.

The Hidden Valley Overlook hike from Logan Pass Visitors Center is a nice out-and-back small hike, but it is extremely crowded all day long. Still, if you are looking for a beautiful view, you will be rewarded at the top (assuming you can see it through all the people).

If you have trouble finding accommodations, Hungry Horse is a decent option. We camp in a large trailer, not a tent, but there are several developed campgrounds and small hotels/cabins there and it's about 10 minutes from West Glacier.

Have a great trip!

ATLANTA
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5. Re: Glacier National Park in three days
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East Glacier is kindof out of the way. Try Many Glacier or St Mary.

Kent

6. Re: Glacier National Park in three days

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