My thoughts are below:
Hello! I'm getting ready to apply for a 5 day trip from 7/20 to 7/24 for four people. Our fitness levels are varied, so I'm trying to keep mileage low with opportunity for day hikes and chilling on short days. My current trip options are below.
Questions!
1) Is there potential problem hiking Stoney Indian Pass on 7/22? I can't book the Stoney Indian campsite for advanced reservations since it opens 8/1 - what's the process of possibly changing things if it opens? Yes, depending on the snow fall and the melt out. There has been snow at or near the pass in August both times I did Stoney Indian Pass. Your chances on getting this route are fair to poor as this is a popular route.
2) Opinions about two routes being enough - thoughts on my chances? Any similar options that I'm missing? A lot of routes are limited by 8/1 opening (gunsight I think is impossible to book advanced with these dates at all?) and not wanting to deal with the western transportation hassle. Many routes are driven by the open date including Gunsight, Boulder, 50 Mountain, and the Ptarmigan tunnel. Also, any trail can close due to Grizzly or other wildlife issues. I would submit one in the Two Med/Walton area as these are less popular
3) Should I be concerned at all with parking at CME and AFE trailheads to start the trip? Will probably arrive pretty early in the morning for each. No, there is plenty at both
3) Any suggestions on more ideal trip tweaks

See below
Trip Option #1 - Chief Mountain to Goat Haunt stopping over at Janet
- Total 35-43 miles, 5K-6K ft over 5 days (depending on ferry availability)
CME trailhead > Mokowanis Lake MOL > Kootenai KOO > Lake Janet JAN > Goat Haunt > Ferry if open > Chief Mountain Connector Shuttle
Looking to get in a little bit of western reaches by camping at Lake Janet, with enough flexibility built into the tail end of the trip to allow for the hike all the way up to Waterton if the ferry isn't running. CME to MOL is a LONNNG Day (14 miles). I would pick Cosley or Glenns Lake for your 1st night, then MOL. MOL to KOO is also long, but doable (ignoring the snow issue), but two long days will take away from your enjoyment. If the Stoney campsite is open, you might try to get that. Also, not sure the hike up to Janet is worth it (with a backpack). Stay at the Waterton River site, and then dayhike to Janet or even better, to Lake Isabel.
Trip Option #2 - Red Gap Pass Ptarmigan Loop
- Total 30 miles, ~7K ft over 5 days
AFE trailhead > Poia Lake POI > Elizabeth Lake Head ELH > Rest day > Rest Day & hike to Elizabeth Lake Foot ELF > back to car at AFE trailhead I've only done this trip is reverse, but the POI to ELH is a long day, but doable. Also, you can't stay at ELH more than one night, so you have to move to ELF, and then stay there two nights (hopefully). Day hike to Helen is recommended, and then I would go out through the Ptarmigan Tunnel if it is open. If not, you will probably need to stay at POI again as ELF to AFE is another very long hike. If you do the tunnel, leave your car at the Swiftcurrent Lodge so your car is there when you get out. You can bum a ride down to AFE (or pay one of the workers a few bucks to drive you there) on your 1st day.