Len's 57 mile solo Glacier Park backpack trip - September 2022

[Len Backus]

This was my first time backpacking in Glacier, having done a little day hiking previously. This park has 734 miles of hiking trails, nearly triple that of Grand Teton National Park.

The map below was an existing one on Alltrails site that was pretty close to my route. I did some extra miles including Mokowanis Lake and the several falls above this lake.

My trip totaled about 57 miles over 5 days with 12,000 feet of vertical gain and loss.

My first day route went through the Ptarmigan tunnel. Down below on the other side could be seen Elizabeth Lake, my first night stop.

 

[Len Backus]

I have never seen so many waterfalls!
.
.

 

[Len Backus]

..I saw no bears, elk, moose or deer.

But note the HUGE grizzly scat pile.

Also the stream crossing cable to hang onto when water level is higher.

 

[Rick Richard]

Oh wow! That is a grand accomplishment especially for us that are a bit long in the tooth. Lol.

 

[Len Backus]

..

The backcountry campsites utilized a common cooking-eating area and all had toilets.. I really enjoyed meeting other hikers and hearing their stories.

 

[Len Backus]

..

The last couple days, my route included portions of the 2,700 mile CDT or Continental Divide Trail. Starts at US_MEX border and ends at US-CAN border which was only 10 or 20 miles north of me.

I met about 25 participants who were finishing that day or the next. Four or five months in duration.

Fascinating experience for me

 

[Len Backus]

I will be back there next year for a much longer solo route. Just loved it.

 

[ickes123]

Amazing pictures ....

 

[Rum Man]

What a Trip Len !

You give me inspiration to try this when I get back Home to Montana!
That is truly Beautiful Country !
Thank you for sharing this Len !!

Rum Man

 

[zerosprk]

Awesome trip and pictures! I'm looking forward to the pictures from your trip next year!!!

 

[RockyMtnMT]

Let us know when you come next year. We'll take you out for dinner when you get out of the high country.

 

[steel2]

This was my first time backpacking in Glacier, having done a little day hiking previously. This park has 734 miles of hiking trails, nearly triple that of Grand Teton National Park.

The map below was an existing one on Alltrails site that was pretty close to my route. I did some extra miles including Mokowanis Lake and the several falls above this lake.

My trip totaled about 57 miles over 5 days with 12,000 feet of vertical gain and loss.


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My first day route went through the Ptarmigan tunnel. Down below on the other side could be seen Elizabeth Lake, my first night stop.

Wow that really neat….I was there in the late 80s n I was banking really hard to take my new bride there in 93 n when we got there the beginning of June it was snowing n the lodge hadn't opened up yet so all these years I could only tell my wife n children how pretty it is there so now I just showed them your pictures so they could catch a glimpse of what i remember

 

[ElkSurgeon]

My dad took my brother & I backpacking every summer in GNP growing up. Didn't appreciate as much until I grew older. You took some absolutely beautiful pictures! But just like anything in nature; pictures don't do it justice. The CDT hikers crack me up. Such Minimalist Hard Cores!……My brother & I absolutely hammered the Arctic Grayling at that exact spot of your Elizabeth Lake picture on the bottom. Thanks for sharing with us Len…brings back lots of memories

 

[stirner]

Great pics Len. You're lucky you didn't have more smoke. The last couple of years you wouldn't have been able to see across those valleys. They are forecasting a lot of snow this winter, so you should have a lot more waterfalls to enjoy. Which also means water crossings could be entertaining. It also means there could be a late opening to the Park, possibly into July.

That scat pile looks more like the diameter of a black bear than a griz. Most griz scat I've seen is the diameter of your lens cover. One time I saw the deposit of an OCD bear. There were 4 big logs laid side-by-side in the trail. Keep the bear spray handy.

Great job!!!!