distressbark - Oct 21, 2009 12:36 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: love this page
i was a bellman at the Many Glacier Hotel this past summer. huffed bags up and down the old staircases, which got me into fantastic climbing shape! 17 summits this past summer!
I will be in Spokane, WA early next year and with the weekend available I was thinking of driving to Glacier National Park and getting in a decent climb with some camping.
Now Mount Cleveland is out of the question as I won't have enough time, but are there some decent 7,000-8,000 ft peaks that are accessible for a quick weekend climb?
Saintgrizzly - Nov 3, 2009 12:39 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Weekend Climb
FYI, Spokane is six to seven hours from West Glacier; tack on another couple hours to East Glacier or St. Mary, and 45 more minutes if you head to Many Glacier.
Also, what is your time frame? I'm assuming by "...early next year..." you mean early next climbing season? "Early" outings are always iffy in Glacier for a couple reasons: first, the Sun Road may not be open (the past few years it's opened the end of June--last year was a bit earlier, opening around the twentieth--historical average is sometime the second week), which, if that's the case, and it's closed during your stay, makes travel much more time-consuming. Second, if climbing before early July, even following what passes for a mild winter in these parts will still result in having to deal with a great deal of snow, and, especially in June, cold weather (although that's not an absolute; you could luck out--just be prepared).
Aside from your time restrictions, Mount Cleveland is an example of a mountain almost never being done until the middle of July at the earliest--too much steep snow to deal with. Other peaks are similar in that regard. Many summits in the more remote areas of the park are three day outings, with five to seven thousand feet elevation gain (and that's not counting ups and downs)--although if you only have a weekend, the remote peaks won't be a factor.
So...I'm thinking it depends on how much time you'll have, time of year, and whether you'll be in the west or east (or both). Also, what kind of climb? Technical? Scramble? Long day? Almost no peaks have trails to the top (although there are a couple), and bushwhacking can be lengthy.
Let me know the relevant portions of your plans, and I'll come up with some climbs. There's no shortage to choose from!!!
Also, Fred and Moni Spicker, and Flathead Native, are very knowledgeable about GNP, and it might be worth getting their opinions, as well.
Well I did not realize that West Glacier is that far away from Spokane.
I am planning on climbing Abercrombie Mountain and Gypsy Peak in mid-December, but I will have a weekend off around late February early March.
So since Glacier is out of the question due to time constraints, Do you know of any climbs that can be done in a weekend coming from Spokane?
Late February and early March is a bit too early for most things in this part of the country. Access is very limited by snow - but, it depends on the particular year, so you could get lucky.
Best bet might be something like Stevens Peak, but be aware that avalanche hazard will be high.....
missymtngirl - Jul 22, 2010 1:11 am - Hasn't voted
Beautiful
I remember visiting this national park years ago as part of a road trip. We did an inspiration point hike. It was gorgeous!
I think if anyone else took this page on SP, I don't think anyone would have put as much into this page! I must say I am very impressed! How can we be sure you didn't cut and paste this info from a book? ;-)
It's rare that I come back to a forum post as often as I do to this page. That quote "Do you come here often...?" I think is one of the best pieces of writing about mountains I have ever heard. Vernon had a tremendous ability to sum up that feeling I became so familiar with when I flew away from Glacier Park to college every year. RIP.
distressbark - Oct 21, 2009 12:36 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: love this pagei was a bellman at the Many Glacier Hotel this past summer. huffed bags up and down the old staircases, which got me into fantastic climbing shape! 17 summits this past summer!
WranglerX - Nov 2, 2009 2:29 pm - Hasn't voted
Weekend ClimbHello,
I will be in Spokane, WA early next year and with the weekend available I was thinking of driving to Glacier National Park and getting in a decent climb with some camping.
Now Mount Cleveland is out of the question as I won't have enough time, but are there some decent 7,000-8,000 ft peaks that are accessible for a quick weekend climb?
Saintgrizzly - Nov 3, 2009 12:39 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Weekend ClimbFYI, Spokane is six to seven hours from West Glacier; tack on another couple hours to East Glacier or St. Mary, and 45 more minutes if you head to Many Glacier.
Also, what is your time frame? I'm assuming by "...early next year..." you mean early next climbing season? "Early" outings are always iffy in Glacier for a couple reasons: first, the Sun Road may not be open (the past few years it's opened the end of June--last year was a bit earlier, opening around the twentieth--historical average is sometime the second week), which, if that's the case, and it's closed during your stay, makes travel much more time-consuming. Second, if climbing before early July, even following what passes for a mild winter in these parts will still result in having to deal with a great deal of snow, and, especially in June, cold weather (although that's not an absolute; you could luck out--just be prepared).
Aside from your time restrictions, Mount Cleveland is an example of a mountain almost never being done until the middle of July at the earliest--too much steep snow to deal with. Other peaks are similar in that regard. Many summits in the more remote areas of the park are three day outings, with five to seven thousand feet elevation gain (and that's not counting ups and downs)--although if you only have a weekend, the remote peaks won't be a factor.
So...I'm thinking it depends on how much time you'll have, time of year, and whether you'll be in the west or east (or both). Also, what kind of climb? Technical? Scramble? Long day? Almost no peaks have trails to the top (although there are a couple), and bushwhacking can be lengthy.
Let me know the relevant portions of your plans, and I'll come up with some climbs. There's no shortage to choose from!!!
Also, Fred and Moni Spicker, and Flathead Native, are very knowledgeable about GNP, and it might be worth getting their opinions, as well.
WranglerX - Nov 3, 2009 5:29 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Weekend ClimbWell I did not realize that West Glacier is that far away from Spokane.
I am planning on climbing Abercrombie Mountain and Gypsy Peak in mid-December, but I will have a weekend off around late February early March.
So since Glacier is out of the question due to time constraints, Do you know of any climbs that can be done in a weekend coming from Spokane?
Some good ones in Idaho?
Fred Spicker - Nov 3, 2009 5:49 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Weekend ClimbLate February and early March is a bit too early for most things in this part of the country. Access is very limited by snow - but, it depends on the particular year, so you could get lucky.
Best bet might be something like Stevens Peak, but be aware that avalanche hazard will be high.....
missymtngirl - Jul 22, 2010 1:11 am - Hasn't voted
BeautifulI remember visiting this national park years ago as part of a road trip. We did an inspiration point hike. It was gorgeous!
Noondueler - Aug 1, 2010 8:17 pm - Voted 10/10
Awesome page Grizz!So well considered and world class photography.
Josh Lewis - Feb 16, 2011 5:58 pm - Voted 10/10
Wow!I think if anyone else took this page on SP, I don't think anyone would have put as much into this page! I must say I am very impressed! How can we be sure you didn't cut and paste this info from a book? ;-)
keegsieb - Feb 21, 2023 10:52 am - Voted 10/10
A gem.It's rare that I come back to a forum post as often as I do to this page. That quote "Do you come here often...?" I think is one of the best pieces of writing about mountains I have ever heard. Vernon had a tremendous ability to sum up that feeling I became so familiar with when I flew away from Glacier Park to college every year. RIP.