Glacier NP plans

[IronWing]

I have an opportunity to spend a couple days at Glacier later this month. I'm thinking about driving up from Butte and hiking to Grinnell Glacier and back down on the first day (staying at St. Mary on the east side). On the second day hiking from The Loop trail head up to the Garden Wall trail to the top of the crest overlooking the Salamander glacier and Grinnell glacier and back down, spending the night in Kalispell. For folks who've hiked at Glacier does this seem reasonable?

 

[TheSiege]

Check if Grinnell Glacier is open. I just left there a couple weeks ago and it was closed, you might need some glacier climbing gear. Not too long of a hike. I would recommend the hike to iceberg lake if you cant go to grinnell. There is a ranger led hike every morning at 8:30am right next to the motor inn. I couldn't tell you much about the second hike except that the loop is easy if you just hike it alone. Additionally, there are ranger programs every night at 8:00pm at the amphiteater and the hotel at many glacier. If you can get a spot at many glacier CP I would camp there over St. Marys.

Lastly, here is a grizzly I saw there, make sure you follow all the rules and guidelines
http://imgur.com/trFSKj2,sklNyAZ,VRiEOjj,eo3mjqt#1

 

[glenn1]

I have an opportunity to spend a couple days at Glacier later this month. I'm thinking about driving up from Butte and hiking to Grinnell Glacier and back down on the first day (staying at St. Mary on the east side). On the second day hiking from The Loop trail head up to the Garden Wall trail to the top of the crest overlooking the Salamander glacier and Grinnell glacier and back down, spending the night in Kalispell. For folks who've hiked at Glacier does this seem reasonable?

It's almost 300 miles drive Butte-Grinnell, then you'd have to unstretch your legs. The trail is around 11 miles with 1500 feet or so elevation gain IIRC. So it's not impossible, but definitely ambitious for the first day. If you're in great shape go for it.

BTW, if you can possibly swing it then head up to Banff National Park as well. Absolutely stunning up there, one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Here's a couple of shots from there:

 

[IronWing]

I made it up to Glacier over the past couple days. The Grinnell Glacier trail was open so i hiked that yesterday. Today I hiked to Hidden Lake in the rain and fog.

Grinnell Glacier

Grinnell Glacier with the Salamander up above.

The trail up to Grinnell Glacier

The charismatic mega-fauna I saw enroute.