Clothing for Glacier National Park (August)

The trail runners should be fine (I've been out there with Montrial Hardrocks -09 version). I would definitely bring the light down jacket. I’ve' been out there a few times in August/September and you really do not know what you can expect (so expect the worst). This goes without saying but it is also going to depend on the part of the park and elevation you will be at. Expect rain showers during that period as well. We got caught in a massive thunder storm on the highline trail (early August) and it was definitely rattling to have lightning striking around you!

Not sure what you are planning for a sleep system so that will obviously come into play.

Good luck with the trip.

The 101's have a good rock plate, so you should be fine on trail. If you're doing off trail stuff I'd recommend using something with a little more lateral support, but I'm sure you could get away with the 101's.

For clothing I'd bring a pretty standard summer in the rockies set up. summer sleeping bag is fine. light down or synth jacket. good rain gear as it does storm pretty hard occasionally in august. But in general this is just about the nicest time of year you could be in Glacier (excluding crowds). I typically used a WM highlight, with a BD beta light tarp. Bugs are not bad unless you are camping in a swamp…and unless the whole park is booked, you won't have to. Oh, and buy bear spray to pack with you when you get to the park. Good for peace of mind.

Let me know if you need some trail/campsite recommendations. I've worked in the park 3 summers and I will most likely be working there again in August. I've done just about every trail, but there is so many amazing scrambles and traverses in that park that I'm dying to get back again. Glacier is infinite. Just to warn you, visiting Glacier might hinder your ability to backpack in other places. Over the past few years, when I get vacation time I almost instinctively choose to go back to Glacier. Swing into the Park Cafe for a buffalo burger and pie in St. Mary after a hike. Perfection. (I will also probably be working there). For that matter eat one of their huevos rancheros before leaving for a trip-I couldn't think of a more UL gear choice!

http://www.parkcafe.us/

Enjoy!

big yes to the down jacket :)

light trail runners should be fine

I'd suggest a decent rain jacket and windshirt, hopefully you won't need to break the rain jacket out, but w/ a five day trip in August the chances are you will a couple of times (afternoon storms are pretty common)- the windshirt you'll probably use daily and will suffice for light rain on the move (provided the DWR is decent)

bear spray- most definitely

Angelo, I agree with the info offered regarding trail runners, down jacket, bear spray, and rain gear/wind shirt. When will you be in Glacier, and what trails do you expect to be hiking? The weather can be quite different Aug. 1st vs Aug 31st, as winter can sometimes come a bit early up there. Also, the weather conditions can vary with the elevation. The low NW part of the park (Bowman, Kintla, Quartz, and Logging Lakes) will be warmer than the higher Highline Trail. Over the years, I've enjoyed many 50*F nights around the first of August, and I've also gotten thumped by a 28*F raging blizzard while working outside at Marias Pass on August 28th. It depends on the year, it depends on the elevation. Plan for the worst. And eat at the Park Cafe.

My backcountry trip is August 14-18. I sent my permit application last week and I requested the following itinerary:

-Many Glacier to Elizabeth Lake
-Elizabeth Lake to Glenns Lake
-Glenns Lake to Stony Indian
-Stony Indian to Fifty Mountain
-Fifty Mountain to the Going to the sun shuttle stop.

I have never backpacked in this part of the country. My only backcountry experience is in New England. All of these helpful hints (as well as the pie) are much appreciated. Please keep them coming.

Other gear:
-Duomid w/ inner net tent
-JRB Shenandoah quilt
-GG Mariposa Plus
-Ti Goat poles

I was also thinking of hiking in a short sleeve light merino wool top.

That will be a splendid route, giving you some of the very best GNP has to offer. Do you have a car? Have you secured lodging? For your planned trip, you could park your car at the Loop parking lot, where you will end up. Do this the night before your hike starts. From there you would take the shuttle to the Swiftcurrent lodge (rent a cheap room there, which you'd reserved), where your trek will begin. Conversely, you might leave your car at Swiftcurrent, but that means a long shuttle ride to get from the Loop back to Swiftcurrent. These logistics depend on how you are arriving/leaving the GNP area. If you are driving from the east coast, then you'll likely arrive at the east side of Glacier (the same if you flew into Great Falls and rented a car there). But if you are flying into Kalispell and renting a car, then you need to get back to the west side of the park when you are done with the hike. If you aren't going to rent a car, then you'll just have to work with the GNP shuttle system, and figure out how to connect with that. The logistics aren't really all that complicated.

that is a great hike. if u havent already booked ur irinerary, see about staying at mokawanis lake instead of glenns. mokawanis is probably one of the prettiest sites in al the park and only room for two groups so its quiet. Only little past glenns. Though the terrain is pretty rugged you might find that the hiking is not as difficult or arduous as it is on the AT at times with all the ups and downs. I was suprised by this when i first hiked out west (excluding peak bagging, traverses etc.).
i agree with gary- big difference between early and late aug weather wise. Late aug is essentially fall in gnp, although i would still bring a 30sleeping bag. jumping on what mike said too-windshirt is crucial in glacier. your hike will have you above treeline quite a bit. The wheathr is also pretty schizo out there. seems like it drizzles like 10 times a day but usually never even enogh to warrant a shell. ive also been on top of a peak on a sunshiney day in september and within 10 minutes had t-stormclouds converge on us from all directions. Never moved so fast down a mountain…

Gary- We are flying into Kalispell and staying at Many Glacier Hotel the first night. Then in the morning starting our trek. We will definitely drop off the car the night before at the Loop. Thanks for the tip!

Serge- We have already sent in our itinerary. But they might send us to Mokawanis if Glenns is too full, who knows. I think we will get our requested trip, I think we are on the early side for sending in the permit. I will certainly bring my windshirt too, thanks.

This will be my longest backpacking trip. I am very excited but a little nervous at the same time. I will definitely post a packing list when the trip approaches so people can help me from over packing!

Can you recommend some day hikes?

I endorse what everyone has posted so far. To me, Glacier is a magical, wonderful place. While I have not done the route you have requested, I do think it will be a wonderful experience for you.

Some thoughts:
o be sure to take rain gear; it can rain there for days at a time;
o be sure to talk with park rangers about bear activity; use of bear bags/canisters, etc.; and how you should cope with the possibility of encounters. There are indeed grizzlies there, albeit chances of encounters are low.

Some day hikes:
o Swiftcurrent Motel area trailhead to Iceberg Lake;
o Many Glacier Hotel area to Grinnell Glacier;
o Logan Pass visitor center hike to Hidden Lake overlook;
o Avalanche Lake hike from trailhead at Going to the Sun Road;
o Highline trail hike to Granite Park chalet with start at Logan Pass, return on trail to The Loop and hitch-hike back to Logan Pass;

I am glad that you are staying at the Many Glacier Hotel. This magnificent hotel is my favorite of any hotel that I have stayed in for my entire life, including quite a few 5 star hotels. It is not the amenities or luxuries, but the spirit of the place that I love. Several times when I have stayed there, one could see, from the hotel lobby, bears on the slopes nearby!

Have a great trip!

You've gotten good advice thus far. The trails on your route are all well trodden, the only reason to not bring Mt101s is that they aren't so good in mud (which you could have on the Moko-Glenn section).

Whether you bring a puffy depends on your sleep system and travel style. I usually hike all day and don't spend much time in camp before I go to bed, so I'd leave the puffy at home. If you plan on sitting around, drinking tea and watching the stars, bring the coat (and perhaps a lighter bag).

Unless you're super-buganoid I'd leave the inner tent at home.

That is an ideal route, with excellent camps. One thought, if you can manage the mileage: finish your loop by hiking over Swiftcurrent pass and back down to Many Glacier. There's not much elevation gain from Granite Park, and the pass and valley are really beautiful.

All those campsites have a food pole and/or metal locker, so all you'd need for bear bagging is a 25' bit of cord.

i second daves rec on swiftcurrent route. my friend and i did a simialar route last summer. this way you wont have to worry about shuttling + swiftcurrent is definitely worth hiking.