Glacier Park trip help

#1 Bring bear spray. Can't take it on the airplane, but readily available in Kalispell, (i.e., Glacier National Airport).

#2 Don't bring 'bear bells' –marks you as a tourist from warmer climes (and you wouldn't want that). Old joke: Grizzly's have learned to associate the bells with humans, and ergo, food, so they're locally referred to as "dinner bells."

Otherwise, the gear you need is no different from any western, alpine region; especially in August, the mildest month typically (and most crowded). I'm sure others who are more adept at working the links on this site will provide a link to a typical gear list.
Dan

I did the Gunsite Trail two years ago. Perfect weather for us in August.
I wore a t shirt and shorts while hiking and zipped on the legs and put on a light down jacket and cap at night.

Pretty sure I used a 40° bag. The campsites we used had bear bag hanging spots.

Check out the annual weather for an idea in averages. They were pretty spot on

As was said, nothing special required except bear spray if you want that. I can share my gear list from my trip there last year but it wasn't particularly specialized. The only thing I wanted were rain pants and maybe gaiters instead of just a rain kilt because the raspberry bushes that bordered the trails kept dumping coooold water down my pants and shoes as I walked through them.

Assuming you've read up on routes and permit concerns, the gear issues for Glacier in August are pretty slight.

Read up on bears and decide if you want spray, etc.

Bring 40 feet of cord for hanging food. Most BC sights in Glacier have a metal pole for this purpose (the rest have metal lockers).

Pack a sleeping pad and tent stakes well suited for hard dirt sites.

The snow has melted fast here and things should dry out early. By August snow and bugs should not be a concern.

August is generally quite warm and pleasant, but cold rain and nights down near freezing (at higher elevations) are not unheard of.

Replay Sports sells "used" Bear Spray for a discount and also offers a rebate after you return it unused.

2593 US-2
Kalispell, MT 59901

Just don't accidently test it in the store, like I did.

Thanks everyone for the tips. Will be doing the gunsite pass trail. Sounds like I don't need a bear canister. I was planning on bringing a poncho, would rain pants be good as well?

Would you recommend a water filter or would just drops work for the area?

I'm thinking about just bringing a hooded Montell Alpine down jacket, light baselayer, and a 30deg down quilt for warmth. Even wondering if that's overdoing it.

Also, would a windshirt be a good idea?

I have seen snow in the foothills around Kalispell in mid August .

Having adequate shelter and insulation in the Montans Mountains is never a bad idea. The windshirt is OK but better to use that weight for a good rainjacket and psnts.

Sounds like you are going to have a great trip:)

"I was planning on bringing a poncho, would rain pants be good as well?"

The poncho is fine, especially considering we are having a record-breaking dry summer; however, it is often windy at those high elevations (over Gunsight Pass and Lincoln Pass–both at 7000'), so the rain coat/pants might be a better combo. Also, it does get cold at night at that elevation, even in Aug., so it's useful to have the extra layers.

"Would you recommend a water filter or would just drops work for the area?"

Either is fine. The water is crystal clear, so no issues with needing to filter sediment/mud out. I've often drank without any filtering in GNP, especially when you can visualize the source coming straight off a glacier, or a spring, but do what you are comfortable with.

"I'm thinking about just bringing a hooded Montell Alpine down jacket, light baselayer, and a 30deg down quilt for warmth. Even wondering if that's overdoing it."

Not overdoing at all. In this area, I always carry a base layer, puffy, and rain coat/windshirt (depending on the last minute forecast–I take the windshirt if there's no chance of precip on a 2-3 day hike), and usually need them while setting up camp in the evening, after the sun has passed behind a ridge, as well as first thing in the morning.

"Also, would a windshirt be a good idea?"

See above. Also, consider that you'll want to check out Sperry Glacier. It can get rather cool when standing on a giant chunk of ice, so you might want something light to throw on –especially if it's windy too. I used to think windshirts were silly, until I got my Montbell Versalite anorak (just 2 ox.), which is great in those circumstances -hiking a high ridge/pass or exploring a glacier- when a rain coat would be overkill.

No bear can needed. I'd just bring drops, the water along that hike is almost always of exceptional quality.

19 out of 20 August days rain pants and the Alpine Light will indeed be overkill, but strong storms are not unheard of. As Stephen mentioned, the pants can come in very handy in the brush (you'll have 6 miles of thick stuff on the east end). With Gunsight being a 2-3 day hike you can probably decide based on the forecast at the last minute.

Enjoy.

Thanks everyone, some great information to chew on there.