I love to create itineraries. I research the internet and the library to find out what's worth seeing and doing. Then I get out maps and figure how far it is to drive or hike, and which direction of travel would be best. And finally I write it all down on a grid of days to make sure that all the times are realistic. I do take great pride in my trip itineraries. No one else really cares, but I do.
So here's my hand-crafted itinerary of our trip to Glacier. The only thing I would change would be the staying in Great Falls. Due to inconvenient flight times (arriving late, leaving early) we had to stay there. But it's fairly underwhelming, so I wouldn't recommend it. Otherwise, it's solid. Good timing - plenty to do but not overwhelming - nice little rest at the end.
| day | what we did | where we stayed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | flight | Great Falls, MT: Great Falls Inn |
| 2 | drive to Glacier NP, Two Medicine boat trip, hike to Upper Two Medicine Lake and Twin Falls | East Glacier Park, MT: Glacier Park Lodge |
| 3 | hike to Running Eagle Falls, drive to Many Glacier | Many Glacier, MT: Swiftcurrent Motor Inn |
| 4 | Swiftcurrent and Josephine Lakes boat trip, hike to Grinnell Glacier | Many Glacier, MT: Swiftcurrent Motor Inn |
| 5 | hike Highline Trail to Granite Park | backcountry: Granite Park Chalet |
| 6 | hike Swiftcurrent Pass Trail to Many Glacier, drive to Waterton, Canada | Waterton, AB: Bear Mountain Motel |
| 7 | drive Red Rock Parkway (see bears), Upper Waterton Lake boat trip to Goat Haunt, drive to Many Glacier | Many Glacier, MT: Many Glacier Hotel |
| 8 | hike to Iceberg and Ptarmigan Lakes | Many Glacier, MT: Many Glacier Hotel |
| 9 | drive Going to the Sun Road | West Glacier, MT: Lake McDonald Lodge |
| 10 | hike Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake, drive to Great Falls | Great Falls, MT: Great Falls Inn |
| 11 | flight |
