YNP & Glacier NP Advice

[grizzly_]

Hey guys, I'm planning a sightseeing trip with my trailer through YNP and Glacier next month and wondered if there are any can't-miss spots I should know about (coming from N. Utah).

I have heard I need to drive the Beartooth Highway between Cooke City and Red Lodge, and the Going-To-The-Sun Road in Glacier NP, but if there's a hidden gem that you want to share, I'd love the advice. Also, any campground advice or short day hikes would be awesome too. Thx in advance.

 

[BlakeA]

You are going to have a blast!! When in Glacier, I would for sure check out Lake McDonald and right along Lake McDonald on the going to the sun road is an awesome place to pull over and swim and jump off the boulders (10ft) into a crystal clear creek. You will see cars parked and people picnicking there. I beleive it is right next to Avalanche Creek. The hikes up around Logan Pass are amazing. Enjoy your trip!

 

[BlakeA]

 

[BlakeA]

 

[grizzly_]

BlakeA, thanks so much for the help and pics. It looks beautiful. I'm even more excited to go now. Thanks again.

 

[VAspeedgoat]

The Lamar Valley in YNP is the greatest spot in the park. Get there at first light or an hour before dark for grizzly and wolf watching. The Haden Valley is also a beautiful area. Neither are exactly secret though. Try to be at Logan Pass visitors center near dark in Glacier. The bighorns and mule deer come into the parking lots and flower beds to eat. You'll have a blast. Planning on any fishing?

 

[Southern Elk]

I'm interested to hear recommendations as well. We are taking a trip to Yellowstone soon.

 

[sneakypete]

Yellowstone, prasmatics are a must the bison and the canyon

 

[rmyoung1]

Let's be honest... ALL of YNP and ALL of GNP are must-see places. You can't go wrong with any of it. If I were to recommend a couple of day hikes, I'd say you can't go wrong with Avalanche Peak in YNP. Trailhead is east of Fishing Bridge a little ways. The summit provides awesome views of Yellowstone Lake. And in Glacier I'd definitely do the hike up to Grinnell Glacier. The trailhead is near Many Glacier. And for the Beartooths, any trailhead you hit up there is gonna be awesome. Less crowded than the trails in the parks too.

 

[rmyoung1]

Here's a look at Grinnell Glacier

 

[rmyoung1]

Here's the summit of the Beartooth Highway

 

[mtmiller]

Sorry, these compressed shots kind of suck.

Logan Pass first thing in the morning should have about a dozen bighorns in the morning (early).

In the afternoon there are usually goats about 1/2 mile up the road.

Hiking from Logan Pass to Hidden Lake will get you goats as well. Just past there is even better, but they had had it closed last weekend due to a bear. Sorry, this picture is jacked up, but Hidden Lake is just over the pass over GuNR's left ear.

Fishercap Lake near Swift Current is a good place to find moose. I saw a cow and calf this morning, but not good shots. Scenery was OK.

 

[mdunc8]

Both will be zoos. The typical spots are definitely worth checking out but do yourself a favor and get more than 1/2 mile from the road. It's a much better experience than sitting in a pullout with 30 other people. I really enjoy picking a random knob off trail in Lamar to spend a morning or evening.

 

[grizzly_]

Man I love HT. I knew you guys would be quick to help. Thanks a ton and awesome pics.

 

[mtmiller]

As mentioned, both parks are busy. I have much more fun if I enter the parks as the sun is coming up. Last weekend I entered Glacier at 5:36 and there were less than 10 cars in the parking lot and all but two were overnight parked and hiking. There were also 10 rams playing lot lizards. Before 10 and after 6 have been good times for me. Have fun.

 

[shootbrownelk]

Don't forget Grand Teton park either. Great fishing on the Snake river and Jackson lake and other lakes as well.