Glacier National Park Sept 17-24

[lcrannell]

Hello all,

I am currently going to Glacier National Park for the week of Sept 17-24, and plan to do a lot of photography. Since my wife is unable to hike, due to being pregnant, I am forced to hike alone. I'm prepared with canned air horns, aluminum walking stick, and pepper spray for the last chance, but having somebody on the trail would be better.

If there is anybody that is going at the same time and want to team up for hiking let me know. Also, any suggestions on locations would also be welcome.

I'm planning on using large format and 35mm for the animal life.

Cheers,
Loren

http://www.lorencrannell.com

[Eric James]

Prevention = bear bells. There is at least one company that makes a bear bell with a magnetized stuff sack to turn the ring off when you're in the parking lot - 4$ at REI. I'd like to join you but I'm not sure I can run faster than you:)

[dyuhas]

>>>I'm prepared with canned air horns, aluminum walking stick, and pepper spray for the last chance, but having somebody on the trail would be better.<<<

Sounds like valium might come in handy.<g>

Dave

[BruceN]

Glacier Park Grizzly poop is easy to identify - it has little bells in it and smells like peppers. ;)

Bruce

[Robert Oliver]

dave, that's funny...

[jim kitchen]

You probably already know you are entering a back yard filled with a few Grizzly Bears. Company is definitely a good thing in that environment.

Unfortunately I can not invite a companion on short notice for a hike, and most of the time by choice, I spend several hours each week hiking alone in the mountains. Encountering a Bear is not unusual. Sudden noises are extremely disturbing, and I found that a Bear bell simply tells the Grizzly or Black Bear you are close by and catchable, Bear spray can be too little too late, as the Bear munches your hand while you fumble with the locking device on the spray can, or even worse as you accidentally discharge the spray into the wind and it blows back into your eyes. If, and when that happens, say your prayers quickly...

Personally, I find a Bear Banger, to be a very good ally...

A Bear Banger, for those of you unfamiliar with the term, does not imply a Rogue Bear at the end of a leash, but it happens to be a pocket "pencil like" device that fires a loud bullet sounding projectile at an unwanted guest, which explodes at the end of the missles journey. The explosion can be louder than an M-80 fire cracker, and somewhat louder still beside your ear, as accidents do happen. The projectile travels about 50 metres, while screaming all the way to the target, before exploding.

That said, this device is known to keep the unwanted guest at bay, and usually the Bear heads for the deep underbrush. It does not guarantee however, that the Bear will run in the opposite direction, especially if you over shoot the target and the projectile explodes behind the Bear, causing the Bear to run at you.

IMHO, that is one huge mistake...

Once a month, I normally practice discharging the device to feel comfortable with it, and while I hike, I say my prayers every tens steps, or so.

jim k

[jackies]

I spent 2 days there this summer. Awesome. I stayed in Apgar at the lodge there. Had a view of the sunrise and sunset from my room. Hiked to Hidden Lake at the summit. You might want to get the newsletter on glacier park at photographamerica.com for other suggestions.

You can see some photos of mine at www.stokenphotography.com

Have fun,
Jackie

[lcrannell]

Thanks Jim,

I will look into the Bear Banger. If I coordinate it correctly I can have it shipped to the hotel since I am flying in.

Looks like it could be helpful for pesky raccoons in my backyard!! :)

Loren

[Eric James]

I'm not sure that the US Park Service would want you to be firing exploding projectiles in the park. All of the devices you mention would be used during a confrontation. Unless you plan to periodically blast your canned air horn while you hike, you are well advised to have a bell or two on your pack - to help prevent the occurrence of a confrontation - especially if you are hiking alone. Good luck.

[MattO]

As a native of this part of the country, my recommendation is to NOT hike alone.

That said, you should also be aware that most of the facilities will be closed/closing at that time. (visitors centers, lodges, etc.)

It is not uncommon to encounter snow and freezing overnight temps during late Sept., so you should be prepared for that and plan accordingly. I can't count the number of day-hikers who expect a short hike and end up either spending the night or worse, become the object of search parties.


Matt

[Jim Jones]

Two Medicine lake http://www.photochimps.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=93&what=allfields&name=Jim%20Jones is a little off the beaten track, but can be worth the drive (not hike) at the right time.

[QT Luong]

I wouldn't worry too much about bear encounters. I have had several, sometimes at fairly close range. I consider them to be photo opportunities. Aggressive behavior does happen, but it is statistically pretty rare. You probably stand a higher chance of getting into a traffic accident.

[QT Luong]

As for hiking suggestions, my favorites are the Hidden Lake trail (sunrise is best), Grinnell Glacier trail, and Avalanche.

[Robert A. Zeichner]

Back in 1999, I spent a week at Glacier. I think it was 9/5 through 9/9. I stayed in East Glacier and drove to various points within the park as well as made a side trip to Waterton Lakes in Canada. I recall many trails were closed due to reported pre-hibernation activity of bears. I spotted two black bears, fortunately at a distance, although one was close to the road on the way to Waterton Lakes. I carried bear bells and was travelling alone and I don't think I would do that again. One problem with bells is that on a couple of my hikes, there was so much wind noise. I doubt the bells would have been heard. It was particularly scary on the way to Apacuny falls. Wind was a problem for LF in many instances and I was glad I had my MF SLR in those circumstances. I recall it did get kind of chilly at night and I suppose that next week will be colder than the first week in September. I wish you luck. It was a wonderful trip for me and I hope you enjoy yourself as much as I did.

[kjsphotography]

If I was you I would contact Dave Parker of Satin Snow ground glass. He lives right by the park and know the area very well. Do a search on google for Satin Snow Ground Glass and you can contact him. He is also a member on APUG so you could PM him there also.

[Saulius]

Last time I went to Glacier was in 2003. I had my own bear encounter during a day hike I took from Many Glacier area up swiftcurrent pass and back. I spent the entire day out on the trail hiking alone. Along the way I met other hikers and a ranger who told me about a grizzly with cubs in the area. Fortunately I never saw them and believe the other hikers spooked them out of the area. However as evening began to set in and the light was starting to fade I realized suddenly just how vulnerable I was alone out there. By this time there were no other hikers around and I had the trail all to myself. This was both exhilerating and a bit spooky too. I took the usual precautions of keeping my eyes open, making noise as I hiked along etc. As someone else mentioned when the wind picks up or you walk along a creek where the rushing water is making plenty of noise I got a bit jittery as I knew if a bear was around he'd might not notice my coming and the last thing you want to do is startle a grizzly. Anyway, I had maybe a mile or two left and at this point started to feel at ease again dispite the fading light because I was nearing the trailhead and a crowded camping area full of people. As I was hiking along a group of trees to my left a dark shape caught my attention from the corner of my eye. I didn't slow and just kept walking and turned my head to see what it was. At that moment I heard a ripping sound of vegetation being yanked from the ground and then a step later between the trees I saw this huge dark figure. At that moment I figured it was a moose since it was eating vegetation and I saw one in the area earlier that day. The next second I saw the animal raise it's head from the ground and maybe 15 feet away was a very large grizzly. There's no mistaking it when you see it that close. Fortunately nothing happened and I continued on, as briskly and quietly as I could. The bear either didn't notice me or didn't care but that didn't make me feel any better. After hiking some distance down the trail I then decided to pick up the pace and put more distance between me and the feeding bear. It was amazing how fast I could move with a heavy backpack full of supplies and 8x10 gear. I made sure I was well out of his eyesight before doing so. So my advice is no matter where you are in the park, especially when alone you need to always be on the look out because you never know when you might literally run into a bear. Secondly, although we landscape photographers love that late evening light, try and not be out too far on the trail come night fall. But there is also no reason to be fearful all the time while on the trail alone. Just read up on some good common sense bear encounter tips if you haven't already. If you can't except the fact that something could happen to you out there on the trail then maybe you shouldn't be there. For me that's what makes places like Glacier Park special, in addition to the wonderful scenery the eco-system is intact and we humans may not always be on the top of the food chain. And remember that although maulings happen at the park you are more likely to be hit by lightening then attacked by a grizzly.
I don't have any places to advise you to go as I think just about anywhere you can't go wrong. But watch the wheather and something I read about and later experienced is that if one side of the park is cold and nasty you might consider driving over to the other side. One time it was icy cold, strong winds and thunderclouds abound. Decided not to make camp there, drove to the other side and it was like night and day. Calm, no wind and in the morning the lake was so still it was like glass. Enjoy your trip, I envy you!

[MattO]

FYI -

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/warnings.php?wfo=tfx&zone=MTZ009&pil=XXXWSWTFX&productType=WINTER%20STORM%20WARNING


Pack the cold gear!