Maggie's Outdoor Page

COOKING POT

You should carry a small metal container for boiling water even if you're not planning to use it (in case of an emergency).

FIRE STARTER

Fire is what will keep you alive in an emergency on a cold night. Use a regular disposable cigarette lighter and carry at least one extra with you in case of malfunction. Also carry a small magnesium block just in case.

FLASH LIGHT

Bring a good flashlight or two and maybe a few tub candles in worst case.

MULTI PURPOSE TOOL

Whether you're a Swiss army knife or Leatherman tool type of person you need to have a multi purpose tool with you.

SLEEPING BAG

Sleeping bags are rated for down to how many degrees you can sleep in it. The difference between a cheaper bag with the same rating as a more expensive bag is usually in the weight and the pack size, not in its warmth.

TARP

A tarp has so many uses, it won't save your life on every trip but it will make things easier on every trip.

STOVE

My Trailstove has never let me down, it's great, I love it. The Trailstove is a very light wood stove, light enough for backpacking, in fact it's the lightest stove in the world if you include the weight of fuel that you have to bring. It's very reasonably priced to.

Pick a spot where animals have an easy time passing by surrounded by natural obstacles where they would have a hard time passing through and where there is a small tree.

Find a piece of wood about an inch in diameter and a few inches long, cut a notch in it.

Find another piece of wood also about an inch in diameter but about a foot long. Cut a notch in this piece of wood too close to one end. Sharpen the other end of this stick, the notches on the two pieces should be such that they fit in each other and can take a good amount of pull along their axis but let go easily if the smaller stick is pushed sideways.

Make a lasso type knot on the string you will use and tie the string to the shorter stick in such a way that the lasso reaches the stick when open.
Bang the sharp end of the longer stick into the ground with a rock.

Tie the rope to the tree at an appropriate height and with an appropriate length of string. You may need to adjust this later to get it right.
Hook the notch of the short stick to the notch of the long stick.

Check your snares often since an animal may be able to escape, if you want you can attach some type of noise maker that goes off when an animal gets pulled up in the air. It's very important that you beat the animal to death before you take it out of the snare since they will bite you if they get a chance.

Glacier National Park

Glacier preserves over 1,000,000 acres of forests, alpine meadows, and lakes. Its diverse habitats are home to over 70 species of mammals and over 260 species of birds. The spectacular glaciated landscape is a hikers paradise containing 700 miles of maintained trails that lead deep into one of the largest intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states.

The park contains over 350 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and six National Historic Landmarks.

In 1932 Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Park, in Canada, were designated Wateron-Glacier International Peace Park. This designation celebrates the longstanding peace and friendship between our two nations. Glacier and Waterton Lakes have both been designated as Biosphere Reserves and together were recognized, in 1995, as a World Heritage Site.

Phone
Visitor Information - (406) 888-7800
Visitor Information (TDD) - (406) 888-7806

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Most visitor facilites are open from late May to mid-September. During the winter in-park services are not available

Getting There
PLANE - The closest airports are Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, Montana (25 miles from West Glacier) and in Great Falls, Montana (200 miles from West Glacier). Car rentals are available at both airports. Shuttles are available at the Kalispell airport.

CAR - NOTE: Vehicles longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet (including mirrors) are prohibited on the steepest sections of the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Public transportation options are limited. Shuttles from airports and train stations provide some service to visitors to the park.

Weather & Climate
Glacier's western valleys generally receive the most rainfall. Daytime temperatures can exceed 90 degrees F. It is frequently 10 to 15 degrees cooler at higher elevations. Strong winds and sunny days predominate on the east side of the park. Overnight lows throughout the park can drop to near 20 degrees F, and snow can fall anytime. In August of 1992, a foot of snow fell on the northeastern corner of Glacier. Prepare for a variety of conditions and pack accordingly. You may start the day in a T-shirt and shorts, and need a parka by evening. Dress in layers. Always bring raingear.

Getting Around
Guided Tours are available from two companies. Sun Tours offers interpretive tours in Glacier from June 10 to September 15. Tours highlight Blackfeet cultrue and history relating to Glacier national Park's natural features. For reservations information call 1-800-786-9220

Glacier Park Inc., offers tours between lodges. For reservations call 406-755-6303

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK PASS
$20.00 for Annual

SINGLE PERSON ENTRY
$5.00 for 7 Days

SINGLE VEHICLE ENTRY
$10.00 for 7 Days

Special Use Permits
COMMERCIAL TOUR VEHICLE FEES

Commercial tour fees are charged. Operators should contact the park at (406) 888-7800 for specific information on rates. Special conditions apply to commercially operated activities in the park. If you use park resources to provide a service (regardless of non-profit status) certain restrictions may apply to you. Please contact the park for more information.

CAMPING

Camping in Glacier
Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Glacier has 13 campgrounds with approximately 1000 sites. Fish Creek and St. Mary Campgrounds may be reserved in advance. All others are first come/first served.

LODGING

Apgar Village Lodge
For More Information on this lodging please call 406-888-5484

Granite Park Chalet
Backcountry Hiker Shelter
For More Information on this lodging please call 406-387-5555

Lake McDonald Lodge
For More Information on this lodging please call 406-755-6303

Many Glacier Hotel
For More Information on this lodging please call 406-755-6303

Rising Sun Motor Inn
For More Information on this lodging please call 406-755-6303

Sperry Chalet
Backcountry Chalet, reachable by hiking only
For More Information on this lodging please call 406-387-5654

Swiftcurrent Motor Inn
For More Information on this lodging please call 406-755-6303

Village Inn
For More Information on this lodging please call 406-755-6303

FACILITIES

Visitor Centers
APGAR VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year
Location - Apgar, at the foot of Lake McDonald, 2 miles north of West Glacier.
Closures - Open weekends only Novemeber through March
Available Facilities - Rangers are available to answer questions and assist with trip planning needs.

LOGAN PASS VISITOR CENTER
Location - Logan Pass in the center of Glacier National Park. 18 miles east of St. Mary, MT
Closures - Open early June through mid-October
Exhibits - Exhibits highlight the alpine ecosystem which covers almost 1/3 of Glacier National Park
Available Facilities - Rangers are on duty to answer questions and assist with trip planning.

ST. MARY VISITOR CENTER
Location - St. Mary, MT
Closures - Open May through mid-October
Available Facilities - Rangers are on duty at answer questions and assist with trip planning.

COOKING POT		You should carry a small metal container for boiling water even if you're not planning to use it (in case of an emergency).
FIRE STARTER		Fire is what will keep you alive in an emergency on a cold night. Use a regular disposable cigarette lighter and carry at least one extra with you in case of malfunction. Also carry a small magnesium block just in case.
FLASH LIGHT		Bring a good flashlight or two and maybe a few tub candles in worst case.
MULTI PURPOSE TOOL		Whether you're a Swiss army knife or Leatherman tool type of person you need to have a multi purpose tool with you.
SLEEPING BAG		Sleeping bags are rated for down to how many degrees you can sleep in it. The difference between a cheaper bag with the same rating as a more expensive bag is usually in the weight and the pack size, not in its warmth.
TARP		A tarp has so many uses, it won't save your life on every trip but it will make things easier on every trip.
STOVE		My Trailstove has never let me down, it's great, I love it. The Trailstove is a very light wood stove, light enough for backpacking, in fact it's the lightest stove in the world if you include the weight of fuel that you have to bring. It's very reasonably priced to.