The family and I are considering a trip to Glacier. We'll be coming up through the Badlands.
Do you all have any recommendations for campgrounds and/or hikes of 2-4 miles (We will be hiking with a 2, 5 and 6 year old)?
Is it worth it to cross the Medicine Line into Waterton?
Looking forward to seeing your country!!
JBrinkworth, post: 401557, member: 6179 wrote: The family and I are considering a trip to Glacier. We'll be coming up through the Badlands.
Dress warm
RADAR, post: 401559, member: 413 wrote: Dress warm
In Summer, Radar.
Pre-planning is not my strong suit, but I am this time.
JBrinkworth, post: 401557, member: 6179 wrote: The family and I are considering a trip to Glacier. We'll be coming up through the Badlands.
Do you all have any recommendations for campgrounds and/or hikes of 2-4 miles (We will be hiking with a 2, 5 and 6 year old)?
Is it worth it to cross the Medicine Line into Waterton?Looking forward to seeing your country!!
As a Father of 3 young'uns myself...Damn that's a long time in the car/van with three bored kids. Good luck. We did Florida this past summer and it went much better than expected, only stopped twice on the way down and back. (Thank God for Playstations and in vehilce DVD systems)
Have fun, sure it will be great!
StLSurveyor, post: 401566, member: 7070 wrote: As a Father of 3 young'uns myself...Damn that's a long time in the car/van with three bored kids. Good luck. We did Florida this past summer and it went much better than expected, only stopped twice on the way down and back. (Thank God for Playstations and in vehilce DVD systems)
Have fun, sure it will be great!
Thanks. Florida is a pretty good poke, too. DVDs are the key.
We made the trip to Rocky Mtn. NP last summer and the kids did great. We broke it up into 2 days, however.
I stayed at McDonald Lodge for a week as a base and loved it. We took the train from Seattle and rented a car at West Glacier. What ever you do, have a back up plan. We needed one because forest fires had closed off a large part of what we wanted to see/do.
Daniel Ralph, post: 401571, member: 8817 wrote: I stayed at McDonald Lodge for a week as a base and loved it. We took the train from Seattle and rented a car at West Glacier. What ever you do, have a back up plan. We needed one because forest fires had closed off a large part of what we wanted to see/do.
Did you encounter an over-abundance of grizzlies?
JBrinkworth, post: 401573, member: 6179 wrote: Did you encounter an over-abundance of grizzlies?
Can you skin grizz, Pilgrim?
[MEDIA=youtube]FcsXC2xFis4[/MEDIA]
I don't live in Montana, but being at Glacier at the right time of year is key, I was there in July back in 2011 and the main road through the park was closed, but it was open in August 2013 on another trip. Not sure about any hiking trails, but the Going to the Sun Road was awesome.
RADAR, post: 401576, member: 413 wrote: Can you skin grizz, Pilgrim?
That was cool, I completely forgot that scene.
Son's school has a excellent outdoor education program. Some seniors and faculty did a backcountry backpack trip to Glacier at the beginning of last August. No reports of bears but I guess if you came upon a mamma and cubs,then things may go south quickly.
They hiked the Grinnell Glacier trail which is well known.
If you're in GNP - the rangers keep pretty good tabs on the bears, and they close trails if the grizzly encounter possibility is readily apparent . buy bear spray and carry it with you when you're in the woods and be as prepared are one can be expected to be
Avalanche lake is the most popular short hike, and it's gorgeous. Grinnell lake /glacier are a bit mire strenuous but beautiful.
Iceberg lake is Good too. Watertown and the Prince of Wales is fun with lots of chance to see bears
Rankin_File, post: 401595, member: 101 wrote: Iceberg lake s Good too. Watertown ad the Prince of Wales s fun with lots if chance to see bears
Thanks! I've also heard that the Two Medicine area is nice.
It would be great to see some Lewis and Clark/Blackfeet Indian historical sites...if those even exist.
JBrinkworth, post: 401573, member: 6179 wrote: Did you encounter an over-abundance of grizzlies?
One would be an over-abundance for this Texas boy. If this is even a blip on the radar, might I suggest a .454 caskull or something larger like .50 S&W?
Kris Morgan, post: 401597, member: 29 wrote: One would be an over-abundance for this Texas boy. If this is even a blip on the radar, might I suggest a .454 caskull or something larger like .50 S&W?
Hah. I hear that!!
Funny you mention it...
I was just reading that a grizzly can sense your 'over-confidence' when you are packing. Apparently, 'over-confidence' makes 'em mad and they become defensive.
I've been told to stand sideways and not look them in the eye.
JBrinkworth, post: 401603, member: 6179 wrote:
I've been told to stand sideways and not look them in the eye.
By the way, that probably only works if you're depth < width. 😉
JBrinkworth, post: 401603, member: 6179 wrote: Hah. I hear that!!
Funny you mention it...
I was just reading that a grizzly can sense your 'over-confidence' when you are packing. Apparently, 'over-confidence' makes 'em mad and they become defensive.
I've been told to stand sideways and not look them in the eye.
I wouldn't be overly worried about grizzlies if I were you. Just two things to remember in bear country. 1. Grizzlies don't much care for surprises, especially sows with cubs. Stay together and make plenty of noise out hiking and keep your eyes and ears open. and 2. They take their food very seriously. If you're out hiking and see a tree full of magpies or ravens, probably good idea to take a different route. I've been within spitting distance of grizzlies several times over the years, saw a huge one out hunting last fall. Got wind of me from a 1/4 mile away, did a 180 and took off at a full run. About the worst thing in the world you can do is shoot one at close range with a hand gun. You'll surely just royally piss them off and give them a good reason to want to take you out. Bear spray's the way to go. My experience is they want nothing to do with people, your food however is a different story. Y'all will have a blast. I do hope to make it there some day.
Williwaw, post: 401610, member: 7066 wrote: About the worse thing in the world you can do is shoot one at close range with a hand gun. You'll surely just royally piss them off and give them a good reason to want to take you out
I was told that the best thing to do is take the front sight off your pistol; that way it won't hurt as much when the bear takes it away from you and shoves it up your....
