2019 Backcountry Permits

Are you a seasoned hiker, or just starting out? Let us know your questions or experience with the backcountry permit process.

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zozeppelin
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Re: 2019 Backcountry Permits

Post by zozeppelin »

Wow, the only date left in the range provided for my first choice. I'll add MAN upfront as walkin or group site starting from Siyeh Bend going over Piegan. So excited.


ENTER - ICEBERG/PTARMIGAN (TRAILHEAD)

8-29-2019 - ELF - ELIZ LK, FT
Fires; NO
Segment; Length 10.10
Elevation; Up 2480 | Down 2518

8-30-2019 - MOL - MOKOWANIS LK
Fires; NO
Segment; Length 9.80
Elevation; Up 378 | Down 290

8-31-2019 - KOO - KOOTENAI LK
Fires; YES
Segment; Length 12.10
Elevation; Up 2410 | Down 3055

9-1-2019 - HOL - HOLE IN WALL
Fires; NO
Segment; Length 13.50
Elevation; Up 2440 | Down 460

9-2-2019 - UPK - UPPER KINTLA LK
Fires; YES
Segment; Length 10.10
Elevation; Up 1090 | Down 3070

EXIT - KINTLA LAKE (TRAILHEAD)
Segment; Length 11.60
Elevation; Up 0 | Down 400


TOTALS;
Trip length 67.20 miles
Elevation up 8,798 feet
Elevation down 9,793 feet
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joshillian
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Re: 2019 Backcountry Permits

Post by joshillian »

This was our first choice. Was not expecting to get it at this point in the process!

The remoteness of Kintla Lake and the prospect of starting a hike from there was what got my son and I interested in backcountry hikes 2 years ago on our first visit to Glacier.

Now to figuring out transportation between Bowman and Kintla.

ENTER - KINTLA LAKE (TRAILHEAD)

7-17-2019 - UPK - UPPER KINTLA LK
Fires; YES
Segment; Length 11.60
Elevation; Up 400 | Down 0

7-18-2019 - BRO - BROWN PASS
Fires; NO
Segment; Length 11.20
Elevation; Up 3070 | Down 1220

7-19-2019 - WAT - WATERTON RVR
Fires; YES
Segment; Length 8.10
Elevation; Up 0 | Down 1290

7-20-2019 - HAW - HAWKSBILL
Fires; NO
Segment; Length 6.00
Elevation; Up 480 | Down 0

7-21-2019 - BOW - BOWMAN LK, HD
Fires; YES
Segment; Length 8.60
Elevation; Up 810 | Down 2220

EXIT - BOWMAN LAKE FOOT (AKAK,BOW,QU) (TRAILHEAD)
Segment; Length 7.10
Elevation; Up 0 | Down 0


TOTALS;
Trip length 52.60 miles
Elevation up 4,760 feet
Elevation down 4,730 feet

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Re: 2019 Backcountry Permits

Post by paul »

You probably want to check the trail status before your hike. Boulder pass might have quite a bit of snow left in mid-July. You may need some traction or self-arrest equipment. On the other hand, lately it seems like the pass has melted out early the last few seasons. You never know.
We are in the mountains and the mountains are in us. - John Muir
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Re: 2019 Backcountry Permits

Post by paul »

PeteE wrote:Hi Sue!

UPK-BOU-BOU-KIN
Exactly what I asked for. :D
Two nights at BOU gives me time to do Boulder Peak and to hike down to HOL to look around and take pics.
Photography is the primary goal of this trip.
A night at HOL would have been nice but two nights at BOU also means not having to break and set up camp.
I can save the time and energy for day hiking and doing photography.
pete :wink:
Congrats Pete, I think you'll really enjoy it. Don't forget to take your camera!
We are in the mountains and the mountains are in us. - John Muir
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Re: 2019 Backcountry Permits

Post by PeteE »

paul wrote:
PeteE wrote:Hi Sue!

UPK-BOU-BOU-KIN
Exactly what I asked for. :D
Two nights at BOU gives me time to do Boulder Peak and to hike down to HOL to look around and take pics.
Photography is the primary goal of this trip.
A night at HOL would have been nice but two nights at BOU also means not having to break and set up camp.
I can save the time and energy for day hiking and doing photography.
pete :wink:
Congrats Pete, I think you'll really enjoy it. Don't forget to take your camera!
Thanks Paul!
I'll be taking my camera. The added 5+ pounds won't be fun, but gotta do it.

pete :wink:
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

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And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

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Re: 2019 Backcountry Permits

Post by paul »

Fairbanks142 wrote:
teapot57 wrote:I would really like to know the number of applications submitted this year and how that number compares to the last few years of first come, first serve. Even though Glacier’s growing popularity alone would result in more applications beIng filed year after year, I do think the lottery (which I am in favor of) adds to the number of applications being submitted. With the lottery, why not try to increase your chances by having each group member try for a desired route?
I've wondered the same, although even with the previous first-come-first-served online process, people were submitting multiple applications. A couple months ago my doctor told me about the trip they did last year with a group of 8, and even with the first-come-first-served system they had everyone in their group submit applications to increase their chances that one of them would sneak in a few seconds faster and get a better chance at the itinerary they wanted.
This seems really unethical to me! When you stand in line for a walk-up permit, you don't get preference for the number people in your party.
I think they are going to need a deterrent against doing this. It needlessly increases the amount of work for BC rangers (maybe doubling or tripling the applications). And it's unfair to the people in small groups. It's funny small groups have so much less impact of the resources yet they are the one's being pushed out by people trying to rig the system.
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Re: 2019 Backcountry Permits

Post by joshillian »

paul wrote:You probably want to check the trail status before your hike. Boulder pass might have quite a bit of snow left in mid-July. You may need some traction or self-arrest equipment. On the other hand, lately it seems like the pass has melted out early the last few seasons. You never know.
That was the first thing I thought of when I saw they dates they gave me. I recalled your comments in the past regarding the Boulder/Hole in the Wall area that time of year. Definitely something we'll be keeping in the forefront of our mind.
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Re: 2019 Backcountry Permits

Post by PeteE »

Hot diggity damn!! :mrgreen:

I scored 1st choice on my other application exactly as I requested.
No long days and not much elevation gain going in.
Short hike from COS to MOJ. I'll have plenty of time after arriving to set up camp, etc.
Then I could day hike to Margaret Lake in the afternoon for sunset pics.
I'll have two full days to hike to places like Margaret Lake (again), and/or up to Sue Lake Overlook....or something else.
Anyone have suggestions?

The extra days will also be handy if the weather sucks.

Anyone gonna be around the MOJ area 6-25 through 6-27? :)


Geezer Power 8)
Image

:arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :arrow: :arrow:

PERMIT# *****
CAMPERS; 1
SITES; 1
TRIP LEADER; The Geezer

ENTER - CHIEF MOUNTAIN (TRAILHEAD)

6-25-2019 - COS - COSLEY LAKE
Fires; NO
Segment; Length 8.30
Elevation; Up 257 | Down 744

6-26-2019 - MOJ - MOKOWANIS JCT
Fires; NO
Segment; Length 5.10
Elevation; Up 58 | Down 0

6-27-2019 - MOJ - MOKOWANIS JCT
Fires; NO
Segment; Length 0.00
Elevation; Up 0 | Down 0

6-28-2019 - MOJ - MOKOWANIS JCT
Fires; NO
Segment; Length 0.00
Elevation; Up 0 | Down 0

6-29-2019 - GAB - GABLE CREEK
Fires; YES
Segment; Length 7.20
Elevation; Up 0 | Down 200

EXIT - CHIEF MOUNTAIN (TRAILHEAD)
Segment; Length 6.00
Elevation; Up 744 | Down 115


TOTALS;
Trip length 26.60 miles
Elevation up 1,059 feet
Elevation down 1,059 feet
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

George Carlin
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Re: 2019 Backcountry Permits

Post by joshillian »

zozeppelin wrote:Wow, the only date left in the range provided for my first choice. I'll add MAN upfront as walkin or group site starting from Siyeh Bend going over Piegan. So excited.


ENTER - ICEBERG/PTARMIGAN (TRAILHEAD)

....

EXIT - KINTLA LAKE (TRAILHEAD)
Segment; Length 11.60
Elevation; Up 0 | Down 400


TOTALS;
Trip length 67.20 miles
Elevation up 8,798 feet
Elevation down 9,793 feet
That looks like an absolutely incredible trip. Definitely on my bucket list. Congrats!
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Re: 2019 Backcountry Permits

Post by Midwestjim »

First time poster, long time message board lurker. I received my email from the backcountry office this morning: in at CME, night one GAB, night two ELH, out CME.

This will be a two nighter in the middle of a five day trip to the park following July 4th. This will be my fourth trip to Glacier and my wife's third trip, but only the second time we've camped in the backcountry. With a short early season trip I was preparing to be content with camping a few nights at Two Med and day hiking. Now we'll do Two Med and backcountry. Happy to have this permit!
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Re: 2019 Backcountry Permits

Post by teapot57 »

Congrats to all the recent lucky permit holders! As they’ve shown, there are still some great trips to be had one month out from the submittal date.

I got my second permit yesterday: MOR NON TWO. I’m excited for this one.
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Re: 2019 Backcountry Permits

Post by PeteE »

Midwestjim wrote:First time poster, long time message board lurker. I received my email from the backcountry office this morning: in at CME, night one GAB, night two ELH, out CME.

This will be a two nighter in the middle of a five day trip to the park following July 4th. This will be my fourth trip to Glacier and my wife's third trip, but only the second time we've camped in the backcountry. With a short early season trip I was preparing to be content with camping a few nights at Two Med and day hiking. Now we'll do Two Med and backcountry. Happy to have this permit!
Welcome to the chat Jim :)

You and your wife got a nice trip into one of the great areas of the park.
I'll make a suggestion for your first night if that's ok.
You might consider changing GAB for COL.
Yes, it'll add a few miles to your trip, but Cosley Lake is a nicer campsite in many people's opinion.

One aspect of this change, if you do it...
The shorter hike from COS to ELH involves a "cable crossing" of the Belly River.
Some might find a cable crossing terrifying; I thought it was kinda fun :)
Check your private messages for video 8)

That said, before you make that change, if you do, check with the rangers about the state of the river.
If the river is still up high and/or fast, you should not do it...imo.
Otherwise it might be a fun experience if the river is down.
No way to know what the crossing will be like until you get here.

If the river can't be crossed and you have to go back around via the suspension bridge at GAB, it'll add some miles.
So keep that in mind.
GAB to ELH is 5.0 miles
COS to ELH via the cable crossing is 5.3
COS to ELH going back via the suspension bridge GAB is 7.6 miles.

Again, welcome to the chat and have a good trip!

pete :wink:
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

George Carlin
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Re: 2019 Backcountry Permits

Post by Midwestjim »

PeteE wrote: Welcome to the chat Jim :)

...


pete :wink:
Pete, thank you for the welcome and the advice. I was studying the map and considering the two different routes as a way to vary the hike in and out. Of course that will depend on the river level. I'm looking forward to it. This will be the earliest in the season we've been to the park so I'm looking forward to new experiences (whether it's wildflowers or impassible rivers :) ).
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Re: 2019 Backcountry Permits

Post by PeteE »

Midwestjim wrote:
PeteE wrote: Welcome to the chat Jim :)

...


pete :wink:
Pete, thank you for the welcome and the advice. I was studying the map and considering the two different routes as a way to vary the hike in and out. Of course that will depend on the river level. I'm looking forward to it. This will be the earliest in the season we've been to the park so I'm looking forward to new experiences (whether it's wildflowers or impassible rivers :) ).
Hey Jim!

You're welcome.
Others may have suggestions as well.
Speaking of wild flowers...
Although the timing of wildflower blooms can vary year to year, even in the same place, early July is usually a good time of year for flowers.
Your first day will take you through some huge meadow areas with a beautiful mountains for a background.
Maybe you'll get lucky so make sure you bring a camera. 8)

FWI...and for others coming later in the season.
Unfortunately the Ptarmigan Tunnel won't be open in early July :(
Otherwise that would be a spectacular route to get back to Many Glacier from the Elizabeth Lake area--assuming you solve the transportation problem to CHE to start.
It'd be a long day at 11.7 miles total, and a tough couple miles up to the tunnel, but then down hill all the way to Many Glacier.

No matter what, you have a great backpack to look forward to :)

pete :wink:
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

George Carlin
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Re: 2019 Backcountry Permits

Post by cdsmith379 »

Glad to see fellow chatters getting their permits!

I didn't put in for one this year, I have a date with the JMT which will use all my vacation time. Hopefully me not being in the lottery improves the odds ever so slightly for everone.

Best of luck to those still waiting, hope you snag your dream trips.
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