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?
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.
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.
3) Any suggestions on more ideal trip tweaks
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.
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