The awesome side hikes would make revisiting that area worthwhile. Thanks!McKee80 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 2:17 pm I've only stayed at a handful of sites, but I really liked Mokowanis Lake. It's beautiful, small (only two spots), and sometimes there are moose around. The view of pyramid peak from the food prep area is sweet. We spent two nights there and took side trips to Lake Margaret (which is insanely pretty and an easy hike) and the Sue Lake bench, which is equally pretty and less easy. But amazing views to Margaret and beyond. And you can walk to Chaney Glacier around the base of Mt Kipp. It would be re-tracing your steps, though.
Clever suggestion, as it gets me to ELF, as well!PeteE wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 2:51 pm You might want to do a trip into the Belly River with an itinerary like this.
Going in at Chief Mtn.
COS--> MOL-->MOL--> ELF-->out at Chief Mtn, or back to Many Glacier via the Ptarmigan Tunnel if you can solve the shuttle problem.
An early start will get you to COS with time to hike to Bear Mt overlook.
COS to MOL is relatively easy with not much elevation gain or loss.
Two nights at MOL give you plenty of time explore at and around Margaret Lake(highly recommended). Then come back and "chill" for the evening.
MOL to ELF is about 9.7 miles, but again, with the fairly easy day before, hiking to ELF shouldn't be too hard.
Again, not much elevation gain or loss. ELF is a beautiful camp ground. Very popular which is why it's a one night limit.
You can substitute among the various campsites along this Belly River route and still make a nice itinerary.
pete
One of the advantages of beginning a backpack at Chief Mountain is that if you end your trip at say, COS, ELH, ELF, you then have a choice of going out at Chief Mountain, or Many Glacier(if you have transport figured out).zozeppelin wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 7:46 pm ...I really like the tunnel (both sides), but am always uneasy with the reservation because the trail from Many Glacier is often closed for bears...
I’ve done Cracker Lake a couple of times, and I do highly recommend it, as long as you have good weather. It is an amazing place to have to yourself in the evenings and mornings. The dayhikers typically clear out in the late afternoon, and most of those there do not go down to the backcountry site. A couple of issues:Here's what I'd like do this year:
CRACKER LAKE
I would definitely recommend Cobalt Lake with a dayhike to Medicine Pass. I have never camped at Cobalt, but have dayhiked there, and it seems like a nice little campground. I would skip UPT, personally. It’s too highly visited by dayhikers and I’ve seen many walking through the campsites, even eating there, and there is not a good place that I’ve seen to sit and hang out by the lake.Is it worth staying at COBALT LAKE for a night, so I can make a side trip up to see Two Medicine Pass? Should I add UPT, or is it too crowded with day hikers to offer a nice experience?
If you want to add FIF to an itinerary, maybe try it the opposite of what you suggested, and start from Logan and do Granite Park first, then Fifty Mt, then Flattop. Now someone please correct me if I’m wrong, but from what I’ve heard and read, it’s easier to go this direction because you avoid the hump up to Flattop but maybe this adds another big climb somewhere else?I've never stayed at Fifty Mountain. Is it worth crawling up to Flattop and spending the night there in order to get to Fifty the next day? I hear the Sue Lake overlook is a nice side
I've never stayed at Red Eagle Foot nor Reynolds. Didn't think of going into Gunsight that way. Nice idea! (How's that 14-mile day? It looks flat enough. And it seems like there would be nice lake views?)zozeppelin wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 7:46 pm
Gunsight Pass would be another recommendation. If you're looking for longer, perhaps start at St Mary and stay at Red Eagle and Reynolds. Or add Snyder Lake.
I've never stayed at Red Eagle Foot nor Reynolds. Didn't think of going into Gunsight that way. Nice idea! (How's that 14-mile day? It looks flat enough. And it seems like there would be nice lake views?)zozeppelin wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 7:46 pm
Gunsight Pass would be another recommendation. If you're looking for longer, perhaps start at St Mary and stay at Red Eagle and Reynolds. Or add Snyder Lake.
teapot57 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 10, 2021 10:03 am I’ve done Cracker Lake a couple of times, and I do highly recommend it, as long as you have good weather. It is an amazing place to have to yourself in the evenings and mornings. The dayhikers typically clear out in the late afternoon, and most of those there do not go down to the backcountry site. A couple of issues:
1. Wind. The backcountry rangers will warn you of this for good reason. We almost lost our tent once while setting up and would have if 4 people hadn’t been holding on to it. It was that windy. But fortunately, the wind died down by evening. I would watch not only the weather but the wind forecast, and have a backup plan if high winds are predicted for your stay.
2. Exposure. The area around the campground is wide open as far as vegetation, so on a sunny day, there are not many places to find shade and if it rains, your only shelter is your tent. This also explains why the wind is an issue there. I have entertained the idea of spending 2 nights here to explore the other side of the lake, but the full sun exposure could be an issue on a warm day.
3. Pit Toilet. It’s always disgusting and overused, due to the amount of dayhikers. Also, it’s a good distance from the campground. But that does make for a gorgeous early morning walk.
Thanks for the excellent intel on Cracker, Cobalt and UPT.I would definitely recommend Cobalt Lake with a dayhike to Medicine Pass. I have never camped at Cobalt, but have dayhiked there, and it seems like a nice little campground. I would skip UPT, personally. It’s too highly visited by dayhikers and I’ve seen many walking through the campsites, even eating there, and there is not a good place that I’ve seen to sit and hang out by the lake.
You're absolutely right. I was just hoping to avoid the crowds on the Highline by sneaking in the back way. Won't do it if the climb and the campground are truly awful, though.If you want to add FIF to an itinerary, maybe try it the opposite of what you suggested, and start from Logan and do Granite Park first, then Fifty Mt, then Flattop. Now someone please correct me if I’m wrong, but from what I’ve heard and read, it’s easier to go this direction because you avoid the hump up to Flattop but maybe this adds another big climb somewhere else?
I favor Red Eagle Foot over REH for better overall views. As for ATL vs MOR, Morningstar is the clear winner.zozeppelin wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 9:06 pm
My questions and alternatives are:
Recommendation on Red Eagle Foot or Head?
Recommendation on Atlantic Creek or Morning Star Lake?
Recommendation on No Name or Upper Two Medicine? Cobalt would be nice, but even going COB-MOR-REF would break me (and over 17 miles so only a walkin modification at that).
Ideally I could push to Gunsight instead of Renyolds, but not sure I have that in the tank, as I've stayed about both and definitely prefer GUN+SPE over REY+ELL.
Sidetrips worth considering?
Totally agree with wnysteve - Morning Star Lake is much nicer than Atlantic Creek. What ATL does have going for it, however, is location, and that can be everything on a long hike.zozeppelin wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 9:06 pm Recommendation on Atlantic Creek or Morning Star Lake?
Sidetrips worth considering?