2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

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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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by PeteE »

Selkie wrote: Sat Apr 03, 2021 9:38 am Gorgeous photos, Paul!
Ditto Paul

Will be interesting to see how much pushback the Park gets.
Yes it will be interesting to see who pushes back and why they push back.

I see the park service is being VERY silent on visitors like me who will be arriving before 6AM or after 5PM.

Why is that? How will they be enforcing the ticket scheme? will visitors be required to display their ticket on their car?
What about overnight parking? how will they know who came and when? I may arrive at a very early hour in the AM. Will the park service LEO know when I arrived?

I think I was asking a dumb question.
They won't care about day trippers like me who arrive early.
I can't get back in once I leave unless I wait till 5PM or next day at 6AM.
Those with tickets will have a ticket to display if asked for any reason.
Still the question remains about overnight parking enforcement. LEO's going to patrol at night? Thought they were short handed?

Last edited by PeteE on Sat Apr 03, 2021 11:02 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by Sue Z »

paul wrote: Wed Mar 31, 2021 8:18 pm Some photos of Helen lake
Is Ahern Pass visible in any of those shots? That's been my only viewpoint of Helen Lake so far. Requested a BC permit there this year to see it "up close and personal."
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by orin »

I'm not Paul but in his second shot Ahern Pass is about the low point of the ridge about 1/3 of the way from the left.

Here is a shot of mine that has a little better angle to the pass. It was taken over Memorial Day weekend a few years ago. The pass is a white spot just above a cliff at the low point on the ridge just about dead center.

Image
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by Sue Z »

orin wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 12:54 am I'm not Paul but in his second shot Ahern Pass is about the low point of the ridge about 1/3 of the way from the left.

Here is a shot of mine that has a little better angle to the pass. It was taken over Memorial Day weekend a few years ago. The pass is a white spot just above a cliff at the low point on the ridge just about dead center.
Thanks, orin. Great panorama!
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by Sue Z »

paul wrote: Wed Mar 31, 2021 8:18 pm Some photos of Helen lake
From the goat trail above the lake
OMG, from the goat trail??? I'd be clinging to the cliffs, not fiddling with my camera! You must have nerves of steel, sir. :D
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by paul »

Sue Z wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 6:42 am
paul wrote: Wed Mar 31, 2021 8:18 pm Some photos of Helen lake
From the goat trail above the lake
OMG, from the goat trail??? I'd be clinging to the cliffs, not fiddling with my camera! You must have nerves of steel, sir. :D
Actually it wasn't too bad at the point where I took these pictures. The trail was wide and flat like a sidewalk and in better condition than most trails in glacier. We climbed up to the goat trail from the lake below so it wasn't too cliffy either.

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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by paul »

The most treacherous part of that whole day was coming back down to the lake. The people I was with chose to take a a very steep grassy slope back down. It was filled with hidden rodent holes and was also very slippery. I knew it was a not a good choice beforehand but went along with it anyway. Thank God I didn't break an ankle!
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by Sue Z »

paul wrote: Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:35 am
Sue Z wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 6:42 am
paul wrote: Wed Mar 31, 2021 8:18 pm Some photos of Helen lake
From the goat trail above the lake
OMG, from the goat trail??? I'd be clinging to the cliffs, not fiddling with my camera! You must have nerves of steel, sir. :D
Actually it wasn't too bad at the point where I took these pictures. The trail was wide and flat like a sidewalk and in better condition than most trails in glacier. We climbed up to the goat trail from the lake below so it wasn't too cliffy either.

Paul
Cool! I didn't know one could do that. Would you mind sharing the route information, if it's not more than class 2-3? (Buck, buck, buck, buggock!)
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by Sue Z »

paul wrote: Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:40 am The most treacherous part of that whole day was coming back down to the lake. The people I was with chose to take a a very steep grassy slope back down. It was filled with hidden rodent holes and was also very slippery. I knew it was a not a good choice beforehand but went along with it anyway. Thank God I didn't break an ankle!
Oops. So you would descend by the same route you climbed up?
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by paul »

Hi Sue,

So we followed the lake shore toward Ahern pass for awhile. There is a faint trail to follow there. The first part of trail is overgrown and is requires bush wacking. We climbed a ramp about half way down the lake shore. As we climbed the ramp there were numerous animal trails leading upward. Just find one and follow it until you reach the goat trail. It will be pretty obvious when you find the goat trail. It's like a real trail.

As far as heading back down, I would suggest the same route, just pick your way down using the animal trails. I think that would be the best way. You would probably find a good way down, it doesn't have to the exact way you came up. Just look for what you think would make sense. It should be all class 2. If you find it steeper than that, you might be on the wrong end of the lake.
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by zozeppelin »

Thanks for sharing the pictures and beta - they are awesome!
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by teapot57 »

So it’s been 3 weeks and no one here has a permit yet? Seems like a long time for no one to have heard back.
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by Sue Z »

teapot57 wrote: Tue Apr 06, 2021 12:36 pm So it’s been 3 weeks and no one here has a permit yet? Seems like a long time for no one to have heard back.
Agree. I'm getting a little edgy. I'll get a walk-in if I must, but I hate getting up at 4:00 in the morning!
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by Sue Z »

paul wrote: Mon Apr 05, 2021 8:54 pm Hi Sue,

So we followed the lake shore toward Ahern pass for awhile. There is a faint trail to follow there. The first part of trail is overgrown and is requires bush wacking. We climbed a ramp about half way down the lake shore. As we climbed the ramp there were numerous animal trails leading upward. Just find one and follow it until you reach the goat trail. It will be pretty obvious when you find the goat trail. It's like a real trail.

As far as heading back down, I would suggest the same route, just pick your way down using the animal trails. I think that would be the best way. You would probably find a good way down, it doesn't have to the exact way you came up. Just look for what you think would make sense. It should be all class 2. If you find it steeper than that, you might be on the wrong end of the lake.
Thank you so much for the great information!
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Re: 2021 Backcountry Permit Applications: Date for submittal now March 17

Post by PeteE »

teapot57 wrote: Tue Apr 06, 2021 12:36 pm So it’s been 3 weeks and no one here has a permit yet? Seems like a long time for no one to have heard back.
I'm not too surprised.
There are what? Maybe 12-18 members who frequent this pages? Unknown number of "lurkers".
If there were 3700 applications submitted in the first 24 hours then...
Statistically, the odds of one of us getting drawn are between 1 in 200 and 1 in 300.
Then factor in the odds if your itinerary was actually available if you were drawn....
Or am I missing something?
I'm not holding my breath 8)
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