Glacier national park questions

I've never visited a national park, but next summer i would love to plan a trip to glacier, now that I’m obsessed with photography . Has anyone been to a park of forest for photography? What is the best approach? Should i register and take a tent and some food to hike around, or would it be more ideal (since it's my first time) to just drive along the roads and explore nearby as i pass something interesting? Anything anybody has on national park experiences would be helpful. In the meantime, I’ll keep reading about Glacier. Thanks,

-Rob

Keeping the safety of yourself and your equipment in mind first, you can't go wrong what ever you do next.

I was there for the first time about 4 years ago this month. We tent camped at McDonald Lake. Not having any hikes in the plan, we did a lot of driving. There was more than enough to keep us busy along the Going To The Sun Road to St Marys Lake. Take the hike at Logan Pass as there are generally goats to greet you along the way.

I would like to go back again and see some other areas of the park and do more hiking. But for the first time out, I was satisfied. I saw goats that I've wanted to see since I was a kid and the Great Northern Train would go by. (Had a Mtn Goat for a logo)

Richard

Glacier park is just a couple of hours south of me so I visit there quite often during the summer months. It is a wonderful park. It is hard to beat the rockies for magnificent scenery.

I personally would not camp in a tent in a park like this unless it is one of the ones closer to the larger towns. Glacier has its fair share of Grizzlies and it is not uncommon to read the reports of another person getting mauled (it happens a few times each season). This of course is strictly a personal decsion and many people do camp this way and live to talk about it.

You want to make sure to take the "Going to the sun" road. It is open mid June to mid September-ish. Even in June you would be driving through walls of snow that are 15-20 feet high. Depends on the winter they have had. It is such a picturesque drive it cannot be passed on.

You will see all kinds of wildlife in this park, most of which you can get relatively close to.

Enjoy

Thanks tons guys

This brings me to my next question (which i thought would be appropriate to post in this thread). What do you guys do if you are hiking and camping in the backcountry areas, as far as gear transportation? I mean... my camera bag is the same size as my hiking ALICE pack! Are there bags designed to carry a tent and survival gear as well as camera equipment, or does a guy have to cram all his camera gear in with his camping equipment and then pull it out once a camp is set up? Any tips or pointers on camping with camera gear would be awsome. Thanks agian.

I've never done any serious hiking like you are suggesting in many a year. It just seems too much like work. You might have to think about lightening your gear load to handle it and your other necessities.

A word of caution with this in relation to Glacier Park. You are in heart of grizzly country. This should not be taken lightly. Make sure to check with the local ranger stations to find out the recent sightings in the area you are wanting to go to and to register. If you register and don't show back up within a reasonable time frame they will come looking for you. This is a serious matter as there are human/grizzly encounters in this area of the rocky mountains every year.

Hi Onwuma,

I have the same plan for next summer (still can't decide to pick Glacier or Zion NP tho). So, i will follow this thread closely and hope to get as much info from the experienced guys here as possible.
I apologize in advance for hijacking with a quick question. How many days did you spend in the park? I spent 6 days at Yellowstone and 1.5 days at Grand Teton NP last year, still didn't get to hike as many trails as i would like to.

We spent 5 days in Glacier last year and could have easily spent 5 more!

That park was beautiful!

To save some retyping:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=213022

This one has a couple of the pictures:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=92143

Let me know if either of you want more information, I'm happy to share.

Fee, I actually sent you some information on what was under construction in Yellowstone last year from where I was staying in Montanna!

Do yourself a huge favour and book a helicopter flight. It's the only way you'll be able to see the glaciers in all their huge grandeur.

MazerRakhm wrote in post #2225065
Fee, I actually sent you some information on what was under construction in Yellowstone last year from where I was staying in Montanna!

Thanks Kevin. I still have the links to your GNP photo journals in my inbox. I know they sure will come in handy when i'm ready to visit the park.

Not a terrible idea Pete, i'll keep that in mind.
And Mazer, Thanks for the info and good job on those shots! I just hate the human element in most of my shots though, so i would be stubborn and wait for all those cars to move (unless they were parked for a hike or something).

I plan on staying for 5 days, but my problem right now is finding someone to go with. I don't want to go alone (bears, getting lost, etc.) but my cousin decided he didn't want to take off work... so i'm left searching for a comrade.

Onwuma, check out your local library. Lots of info and at a great price

Onwuma wrote in post #2264293
I just hate the human element in most of my shots though, so i would be stubborn and wait for all those cars to move (unless they were parked for a hike or something).

I hate it as well, but the problem is that the park can get pretty busy. There seems to always be a line of cars going along the Sun Road. While we were there it was never bumper to bumper per say, but there was a steady flow. Lots of tourists and hikers along some of the main trails as well. Again, never really crowded, but there were enough that you didn't get the lonely feeling on the main trails.

I've been gathering lots of info as well for our upcoming trip planned for next July to GNP. Currently been searching airfare out of New Orleans, LA and seems we can fly into Spokane, WA for about $800 ~ $1000 cheaper than Kalispell, MT. Of course Kalispell would be more convenient but I'll gladly drive the estimated 275 miles for that kinda savings.

We plan on hiking a lot and certainly hope some of the East Glacier trails aren't closed to Grizzly activity.