Day Hike - Glacier National Park

Participants are responsible for making their own way to the Glacier Institute Field Camp. It is located just inside the West Entrance to Glacier National Park. The nearest airport is in Kalispell, Montana, about 30 minutes from Field Camp. There is also an Amtrak train from Seattle. Travelers should plan to arrive at Field Camp on arrival day between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to check in and get settled. Travelers should plan to depart Field Camp by 10 a.m. on departure day. If you find airline reservations are difficult to make by flying into Kalispell, an alternative is to fly into Missoula, which is about three hours from the park. If you fly into Missoula you will need to rent a car for the drive up to the park.

*Note: airfare and car rental are not included in the trip price.

This is a public guided hiking tour sponsored by the Glacier Institute.  They have agreed to hold 12 spaces for our group.

Here is information about the tour: Exploring Glacier National Park | 6-Day Hike in September (glacierinstitute.org)

Four days of hiking with professional naturalists to see and learn about cerulean lakes, meadows bursting with wildflowers, the iconic Going to the Sun Road, and Glacier’s famous bears and goats. This trip is designed for those that want to see and learn as much as possible about Glacier over the course of a single week.

Hikes:  Range from  8-12 miles in length. The hikes will be moderate to moderately strenuous with elevation gains of 400-2,700 feet. All of the hikes are on maintained trails and will take place between elevations of 5,000 to 8,100 feet.

Food: The following meals will be provided: Dinner on Day 1 – lunch on Day 6. We can accommodate any dietary restrictions upon request. Breakfast and dinners will be eaten in camp while most lunches will be eaten out in the field.

Accommodations: 5 nights of lodging are included into the course fee. Our student cabins are basic, hostel-style cabins with 5 single beds, bedside lights, and electrical outlets.  Students should be prepared to share a cabin with up to 4 other people, cabins are separated by gender.  There is a community bathhouse with flush toilets, sinks, and hot showers.

Trip cost:  $1800, which includes the guided hikes, transportation to the trailheads, lodging and food as mentioned above.

Park Entrance Fees: Participants are responsible for purchasing their park entrance passes prior to the course. These can be purchased online at: https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74280.  

Participant Requirements:    Must be a current Mountaineers member with an up-to-date waiver on file.  This outing includes several consecutive days of hiking easy/moderate trails, on varied terrain, so participants need to be in good aerobic condition with good balance, and able to comfortably maintain an average hiking speed of 2-2.5 mph for six to eight hours.  Because of the small, but real potential for grizzly bear encounters while hiking in Glacier National Park, it is not safe for people to become separated from the group.  Participants should have a positive attitude, ability to be flexible, an inquisitive nature, appreciation for the natural world, and a demonstrated ability to get along well with groups.  Day packs, sun protection, sturdy shoes and trekking poles are required equipment.  

Note:  As a Mountaineers group we will operate as interdependent, capable travelers making our way together and helping one another succeed and be safe.  You are responsible for your own safety and that of your fellow travelers. You must have the ability to navigate on trails with a map and compass.  

Registration Instructions:   PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER UNTIL THE LEADER APPROVES YOU TO JOIN THE ROSTER!)   Please send your request for leader permission to lshewey@comcast.net.  Be prepared to list your: