Sometimes Glacier gets a little boring and you have to go somewhere else.
If you live in the Flathead driving to Yellowstone is like driving to Mason City from Chicago. It seems close, but isn't something I manage to do near as often as I'd like. Back in March three friends and I plotted a week-long route from the Lamar river TH to Heart Lake, going through Hoodoo Basin and around the east and south shores of Yellowstone Lake. Last week we did it. Some thing went according to plan, some things did not. Many things went better than planned.
It's interesting to contemplate why Glacier gets so many more backcountry user days than Yellowstone. The more accessible scenery is surely one reason. The more accessible trail logistics another (not too many obvious loops on trail in Yellowstone, and the point to points are long). I do think there are good reasons to be a bit more nervous about bears in the GYE, but otherwise I'm stumped. The hiking in Yellowstone tends to gentler and easier, and the layout of the BC sites is frankly better than Glacier in every respect (each party gets their own, no designated tent pads filled with dust). The scenery is more subtle, but the wild feel is much bigger. Yellowstone makes you appreciate how simple the terrain in Glacier is.
In any case, words and photos for your consideration:
http://bedrockandparadox.com/2013/08/05 ... ur-part-1/
http://bedrockandparadox.com/2013/08/06 ... ur-part-2/