Glacier National Park, Yellowstone

[Angry_Pirate]

The Wife and I are heading to Glacier National and Yellowstone in July and was wondering if anyone here has any input as in the not to miss sights. I know some of the must see wonders are The going to the sun road in Glacier and Old Faithful and the Prismatic pools in Yellowstone. Pics would be great!! Thanks!!

[Stevez]

Never been to Glacier, but willl one day. Been to Yellowstone twice and so far my favorite place on earth. Must see the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone which is on most places to stop while touring the park. Other than that, just drive slowly and enjoy the unbelievable nature. Have fun. Steve

[Remo]

Yet to visit Glacier, Yellowstone is EPIC...just take it all in bro :tu West Yellowstone is a fun little town if you make it over that way :tu

[ninjavanish]

Glacier is next on the list to visit. Been to Yellowstone twice. I second the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone comment. If you're in decent physical shape, I'd recommend you take uncle tom's trail, it's like 845 steps down the canyon side but if you can make it down and back up, the view of the falls is the best there is.

Also if you have some time, drive down south out of Yellowstone and go to the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole, Wy.

[MurphysLaw]

Iceberg lake in Glacier is something you might want to check out, its a bit of a hike, but one of the things about Glacier that I remember many years after my visit.

[CasaDooley]

Spent 10 days in Glacier last August. Go in on the west side (thats where most things are), take a Red Bus tour of the Going to the Sun road, go check out the Lodge and do a boat ride tour of the lake and hike a bunch! Don't forget to call and check on when the Sun Road will be fully open, as last year it opened later in the season due to snow.
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk110/casadooley/GlacierParkAug2011136.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk110/casadooley/GlacierParkAug2011124.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk110/casadooley/GlacierParkAug2011077.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk110/casadooley/GlacierParkAug2011047.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk110/casadooley/GlacierParkAug2011071.jpg

[SvilleKid]

Glacier is next on the list to visit. Been to Yellowstone twice. I second the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone comment. If you're in decent physical shape, I'd recommend you take uncle tom's trail, it's like 845 steps down the canyon side but if you can make it down and back up, the view of the falls is the best there is.

Also if you have some time, drive down south out of Yellowstone and go to the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole, Wy.

If you decide to do the steps, take double or triple the water you think you'll need! You will drink it, and give some away to the stupid suckers that failed to take any along at all!!!

Go into the Old Faithful Lodge and sit a bit, looking up at the wonderful view! Don't limit your view to Old Faithful. Leave enough time to walk through the other basins. If you go to the south-east quadrant, to the mud pots, and spend anytime wandering, be prepared for everything you have on to smell like sulphur (even your solid bodily discharges will smell strongly of sulphur!). Truly, you can spend three weeks just driving and walking the easy stuff, and never seeing much that can be seen! The first time we went, we entered thru the NE corner, via Red Lodge and Beartooth Pass. Heavy snow in mid June, and you get close to 12,000 feet. Be aware of your physical conditions at this height. We all (My wife, me, NinjaVanish and his sister) all got stomach quizzy and disoriented from altitude sickness. The second trip, we came in thru the east gate, via Cody. If you have the time, a visit to Cody, and their museum is well worth the trip and the entrance fee. If you do make that side trip, do yourself a favor, and stop into the Erma Hotel for their lunch or supper. Opt for the dinner buffet, which included all the top grade prime rib you can eat, cut as you desire, when you get it.

We stayed in West Yellowstone the last time out, and found some great rates at mom and pop hotels, and it offers very good access to the park. (west gate is 1 block outside of town!) And the bald eagles tend (at least then) to nest close to the west entrance of the park.

Glacier, as Ninja says, is on the list for the next time out there!

[Angry_Pirate]

Thanks Guys!!

I will have to watch the altitude when we went to haleakala crater in Maui it was at 10,000 ft and I had altitude sickness and I already have mild asthma which doesn't bother me smoking cigars but I workout 4 days a week so I'm not in to bad of shape but the steps may do me in. :D

The only downfall is we are only able to visit each park for 2 days. We are swinging out west to cover more of our 50 state goal we will also be visiting South Dakota,Montana,Wyoming Idaho,Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Kansas. We are staying in Bozeman to visit Yellowstone and then staying in Kalispell to visit Glacier. we will be doing a lot of driving but we hope to go back and spend more time at Glacier and Yellowstone when we get an RV some day.

[SvilleKid]

The Old Faithful Lodge and the Old Faithful Inn are both adjacent to Old Faithful, so you can visit them while you wait for it to explode! The Lodge is the one with the large second level patio overlooking the geyser. IMO, the Lodge is the best lodge in all of the national parks. Ninja would argue that the Ahwanhee, in Yosemite is better, and I can't really argue too much (but I still like the O.F. Lodge better). Given your time constricts, spend a day at Upper Geyser Basin around Old Faithful, exploring, then catch the Grand Canyon, from front, all the way to the end of the road for many different overlooks. To save time, you might consider staying in West Yellowstone over the one night, instead of driving all the way back to Boseman. You'll probably spend about the same in gas as the room, and it will allow you quicker access to the park for that second day. If you have extra time, try for the Norris Geyser Basin. It is the most active of the basins, and you'll see more action there on smaller geysers, plus Steamboat geyser is there, which gives a bigger, but less predictable show than Old Faithful.

My photos are ALL from paper print days, and I've never converted them to digital, so don't have them to show right now.

[Retiredguy]

Yellowstone and Jackson Hole are my favorite places on earth. It looks like you're coming in from the north so your schedule might not let you get down to see the Tetons, but if you can it's worth the trip.
When your visiting Glacier, I recommend that you get a meal at Johnson's in St. Mary's on the east side of the park. Excellent family dining.

[Samsquanch]

I've been to both, they're both amazing. My oly recommendation is to get off the road as much as possible. You don't have to hike far to get away from 99% of the people and their RV's. Pick up the National Geographic Trails Illustrated maps for each park and pick some trails you think you can handle. Have fun!

[SvilleKid]

I've been to both, they're both amazing. My oly recommendation is to get off the road as much as possible. You don't have to hike far to get away from 99% of the people and their RV's. Pick up the National Geographic Trails Illustrated maps for each park and pick some trails you think you can handle. Have fun!

This is true of the geyser basins. Most people see Old Faithful, and go no further. Most of the basins have trails that are one, two and three miles long, that can be walked with little trouble, but most people don't take the time.

Just be advised, stay on the marked paths. Give wildlife a wide berth, the buffalo are NOT tame, regardless of how close they want to walk to people. They will F you up! If you get to less active areas, be BEAR AWARE. There have been more fatal grizzly attacks than usual lately, due to increased populations of bears. The park rangers are good about posting warning sings in areas of known, recent bear activities, so be extra careful in those areas.

If you get out of your car and walk on any of the trails, I'd say you will be doing more than 75% of the visitors. Many visitors feel they get all there is to see by simply driving thru. Enjoy your trip, but return safe and sound!

[Samsquanch]

Just be advised, stay on the marked paths. Give wildlife a wide berth, the buffalo are NOT tame, regardless of how close they want to walk to people. They will F you up! If you get to less active areas, be BEAR AWARE. There have been more fatal grizzly attacks than usual lately, due to increased populations of bears. The park rangers are good about posting warning sings in areas of known, recent bear activities, so be extra careful in those areas.

Good advice, and if you are planning on getting into the back country considering purchasing some bear spray. Highly effective in deterring attacks as a last measure.

The recent attacks are both an issue of increased bear population and the increase in visitors to the parks. Good article about this in this month's issue of Outside Magazine.

[Samsquanch]

Some pictures:

http://i.imgur.com/jfjmS.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/jfjmS)

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

http://i.imgur.com/fJaTB.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/fJaTB)

http://i.imgur.com/kXFUM.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/kXFUM)

http://i.imgur.com/DOiTl.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/DOiTl)

Kept the bear spray close after seeing this one!

[Samsquanch]

Some pictures from Glacier, unfortunately when we visited on our move from NC to Seattle the Going to the Sun road was still closed due to snow (this was late June 2008), so we only got a small taste of the park. We're planning on returning this summer.

http://i.imgur.com/m7eoB.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/m7eoB)

http://i.imgur.com/P6RvJ.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/P6RvJ)

http://i.imgur.com/P6RvJ.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/P6RvJ)

[Angry_Pirate]

Thanks for the pics Kevin and Andrew looks breath taking can't wait until July!!

[ninjavanish]

The Old Faithful Lodge and the Old Faithful Inn are both adjacent to Old Faithful, so you can visit them while you wait for it to explode! The Lodge is the one with the large second level patio overlooking the geyser. IMO, the Lodge is the best lodge in all of the national parks. Ninja would argue that the Ahwanhee, in Yosemite is better, and I can't really argue too much (but I still like the O.F. Lodge better).

Well yeah I would argue the Ahwanhee being better... They had a humidor
Full of Davidoff cigars!

[Angry_Pirate]

Well yeah I would argue the Ahwanhee being better... They had a humidor
Full of Davidoff cigars!

Wow sounds like a trip to Yosemite is in my future:-)

[Jasonw560]

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk110/casadooley/GlacierParkAug2011136.jpg


A double rainbow...WHAT DOES IT MEAN??

[Steve]

Green with envy :)

[CasaDooley]

A double rainbow...WHAT DOES IT MEAN??

That I had a chance to fill both my leprechaun tags that day!:r

[Angry_Pirate]

We adjusted our plans a little and now we have 3 days at both Yellowstone and Glacier!! I'm going to stock up on bottled water,beef jerky and granola bars for the trails. Any concerns of the wildlife (Bears,etc). I assume I will need to take some warm clothing?

[jjirons69]

Bucketlist

Right now part of the road in GNP is closed. See pics.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/glaciernps

Definitely check prior to going:

http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/goingtothesunroad.htm

[Jasonw560]

That I had a chance to fill both my leprechaun tags that day!:r

:tu Where can I get that permit?

(Double rainbow youtube link) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQSNhk5ICTI

[Samsquanch]

You'll want to bring along the 10 Essentials on any hike - http://www.mountaineersbooks.org/client/client_pages/Media%20Archives/mtn_media_TenEssentials.cfm

As far as protection from bears, I highly recommend purchasing some bear spray, it is highly effective when used properly - http://www.rei.com/product/722005/counter-assault-bear-deterrent-spray-102-oz

Also read up on proper bear safety practices that can prevent any negative encounter - http://www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/visit/brochures/bears/index.html

Take lots of pictures and enjoy every second!

We adjusted our plans a little and now we have 3 days at both Yellowstone and Glacier!! I'm going to stock up on bottled water,beef jerky and granola bars for the trails. Any concerns of the wildlife (Bears,etc). I assume I will need to take some warm clothing?

[SvilleKid]

I assume I will need to take some warm clothing?

Yes. Almost all of the park is 6000 feet or more above sea level, and some areas are close to 12,000 feet, with areas varying widely between. So the temperature might be short sleeve in one area, but coats in another. We made both our trips in mid-june, and went thru blizzards both trips, but also had times when we were in shirt sleeves. And, the weather/temps can change quickly. We started a day at Old Faithful in sleeves, but three hours later, we were hiking back to the van for out coats as a front moved in, and snow began to fall!! You should have less chances of cold weather in July, but don't discount the chances!

I'm glad you picked up an extra day for each park!! That really opens up the possibilities. Especially if you can stay overnight in West Yellowstone, and save the drive time back and forth to Billings (Or was it Bozeman?) With extra time, plan on taking a picnic lunch for one or more days. However, be very aware of the risk of bears. They know where the picnic areas are, as well as the humans!!

I'd recommend Mammoth Hot Springs at the North Gate (Gardiner, MT), but it was flowing poorly last time we were there (10 years ago??) and tends to fluctuate as to it's formations. But, it does give you a chance to see the north gate, which is the historic gate that is seen on many photos of the past. I can't remember the name, but there was a restaurant in Gardiner that serves a wide variety of game meats (I had a really nice buffalo burger there). As you head north thru town on the one and only main drag, the place was on the left, overlooking the river.

The park road system is basically a large rectangle (running north to south), pinched in a little in the middle, with a road across the middle connecting the two sides. So, if one road is closed, you can still get around, but it may take considerably longer if you wish to go thru the middle road, but have to detour north or south. However, there is plenty to see on any of the roads, and each quadrant of the park is totally different from the each other in terms of topography, sights, animals and viewing distances.

A 100% item to NOT forget..... One (or many more) sets of good binoculars. The more you have, the less fighting there will be when (not IF) you sight something in the distance. Be aware, when the traffic comes to a complete standstill, there's a better than even chance it's because someone saw/sees a bear. The Park Rangers are fairly quick about making people move on, but plan on standstills, and have something to occupy the time!

[jcruse64]

One of the top 10 rules to remember, whether in GNP, the Tetons, or Yellowstone, is to obey park speed limits and driving rules, especially the one about the animals having right-of-way. Wrecks, with hurt people and killed animals every season, many times because someone's time is more important than everyone else in the world, so it's OK for then to run through traffic standstills, break the speed limits, and not give the wildlife enough room. Watched a guy "bump" a buffalo one night, because he was going too fast coming down off a blind hill, and could not see the buffalo in time to slow up. Traffic jams are inevitable every day, mostly from buffalo walking up and down the roads in the park; nothing you can do about it except be patient, and watch out both sides of the road while you wait! Beat being in a traffic jam in LA, for sure. I can only imagine the days when buffalo would intersect a rail line, and a train could be held up for over 2 days. Your first few times getting held up by buffalo will be very cool, but after several of these, you can get kind of blase' about it; don't. Sometimes, the jams are because there's a bear, cat, or moose very close, and you might get to see it if you're patient.

Tough to see a lot in 3 days at either place anyway, so try to stay in Yellowstone if you can, or in West Yellowstone, Gardiner, or Cooke. Lots of hikes in both parks, and if you take even one, you're seeing more of the park than 90+% of all the other visitors. One good Yellowstone hike, with potential to see bear, is the Mt. Washburn hike. It can be a long one; my brother and I turned back about 2/3 up, because we did not grasp the length involved, and we had family waiting for us in the vehicle. Hikes around the already mentioned geyser formations is good. Ya GOTTA see Old Faithful if you go. The trail down the falls mentioned earlier is tough, but really great. Anywhere you hike, pay attention to the rules posted on the trails, especially near geothermal stuff, where bear sightings have been very recent, and near any high places. An 18 year old russian girl who had just completed her first work day with Yellowstone concessionaire, Xanterra, went on a hike in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone area, and they went off-trail to a ledge to get a good view. She was seated on the edge, with another girl behind her, when the ledge collapsed, and she died after a 400' fall. Very sad and completely preventable. Driving around, Hayden and Lamar Valleys will give you opportunity to see wolves and elk.

Also agree with bringing plenty of binoculars. Don't forget to try Huckleberry ice cream!!!! Very good stuff. The ice cream shop in Gardiner will make a huckleberry shake. Huckleberry pie is also the bomb. I can understand why bears like them so much.

Hope you enjoy your trip. We have been to Glacier once for a very short trip, the Tetons once, and Yellowstone twice for at least a week. I love all of it, and would move out there in an instant (well, maybe a summer home, if we had the $$$). Still contemplating a September visit, or else this time next year. Both earlier trips were late August/early September, and it was hopping with people. Supposedly calms down a little after Labor Day. We generally stay in Yellowstone, at Fishing Bridge campground.

[Angry_Pirate]

Thanks for all the heads up and info guys the trip was great!! I'm going to post some pics of some of the sights. These are all phone pics so they aren't that great. First Badlands and Rushmore
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=799&pictureid=7165
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=799&pictureid=7168
Bear Country USA
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=799&pictureid=7166

[Angry_Pirate]

Yellowstone
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=799&pictureid=7169
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=799&pictureid=7171

[Angry_Pirate]

Glacier National Park
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=799&pictureid=7172
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=799&pictureid=7173
Garden of the Gods
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=799&pictureid=7174

[SvilleKid]

Very Nice!!! Glad y'all made it, and had the chance to see these. Did it whet your appetite for more? Hope so! My wife's currently working in Sheridan, Wy, about 3-4 hours east of Yellowstone. At the end of her contract in early September, I'm flying back out, and we plan on going to Glacier, then Yellowstone. Hope to spend a week in each!

Looking forward to seeing more pix as you get them put up!!!!

[MrWolf55]

Wow gorgeous pictures. Looks like a great time

[Angry_Pirate]

Very Nice!!! Glad y'all made it, and had the chance to see these. Did it whet your appetite for more? Hope so! My wife's currently working in Sheridan, Wy, about 3-4 hours east of Yellowstone. At the end of her contract in early September, I'm flying back out, and we plan on going to Glacier, then Yellowstone. Hope to spend a week in each!

Looking forward to seeing more pix as you get them put up!!!!

Both parks were great!! I wish we had more time at each. The scenery at Glacier was breath taking but we saw a lot more wildlife at Yellowstone and got to see Old Faithful. Made us wish we had an RV. I highly recommend Glacier to anyone it seems like it doesn't get the attention that Yellowstone does and is a great park in it's own right. The Going to the Sun Road at Glacier was the highlight of both parks for me. I will try to get some pics from the camera and load them they are a little better. You and your Wife will enjoy Glacier if you haven't been there yet.

[Angry_Pirate]

Sulfuric Pool
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=799&pictureid=7178
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=799&pictureid=7179
Roadrunner at the Bed and Breakfast in Santa Fe,NM
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=799&pictureid=7175
More Bear Country
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=799&pictureid=7167

[Taki]

Definitely have to try and make it out there!!
Thanks for sharing the pics :tu