Planning

Since we have five kids and an ex-husband who doesn't like to plan things too far in advance and is a busy physician anyway, getting the free dates squared away is sometimes difficult. This trip could have started on July 13, 14 or the 15th. Add the ridiculously strict (and sometimes stupid and unfair) Glacier backcountry reservation system into the mix and you just might plan a trip that is impossible to do.

The planning for this trip could have been done in about 10 minutes: Plot a route, fill out the Glacier backcounty permit application and take a look at the GPI shuttle schedule. Easy.

Not one to do things the easy way when a more difficult tack could be taken, I spent much longer than that researching possible shuttles to get us up to Polebridge, back down to Apgar Village and over to Chief Mountain. A total waste of time and energy.

We had originally planned to do a 6 night hike originating in the comercial-free North Fork area which would have entailed either a car rental or multiple shuttles and about $150.00. In a way, it's a good thing we didn't get this route.

Our alternate/second choice was much easier to deal with: hop onto the GP shuttle at St. mary Visitor center and ride it 30 miles south to Two Medicine. Cost: $16.00.

We got a break early on when Yumi's ex said it was OK with him if we left his kids with him on the 13th. This was indeed good news as it allowed us to spend an extra two days at the park. Thank you, Doug. As always, my mother had no problems taking in Todd and Matt for 10 days. Thank you, Grandma.

Another dilemma that needed to be adressed was how to get the boys over to their various soccer games and practices. Matt plays for a club here in town while Todd is playing for a Green Bay team. Obviously he needed transportation to two practices and one game up in titletown. Thankfully, the Zipperer's came to the rescue and agreed to drive Todd up with them and thier son. Thank you Zipperer's.

Finally, we needed to find out when and where Todd and Nick's soccer playoff game would be for the 13th. Though they play their hme games up in Green Bay, we didn't know if they would be playing there or in some other twon not on our route to Montana. We finally got the answer we were looking for: a early Wednesday night game in Green Bay. Thank you soccer scheduling God.

Menu planning was pretty much taken care of while I was at work. Sorry boss.

Our gear list was revised at work too. For a brief time I considered going with an alcohol stove and created many soda can models. when it came down to the nitty gritty I opted for a MSR Pocket Rocket and a new Gregory Forester pack which Yumi gave me for my birthday. What a woman.

We figured that we wouldn't need to make any campground reservations for our arrival night this time. The campground at St. Mary hardly ever fills and was right where we needed to be so we planned to stop there our first night. Plus is was close to the backcountry office there where we would attempt to get a different hike.

10/28/2004 Yumi wants to go back to Glacier next summer, though we are not exactly sure when we can go. It's looking like mid-July again---damn, I wanted August.
11/15/2004 Yumi has agreed to go out for a maximum of 6 nights which is very cool. Now we need to find a route that will cover ground not previously traversed and open in July.
12/13/2004

I think I've got the route figured out. I'd like to start at Chief Mountain and camp at the following sites (mileage included):

In at Chief Mountain Cosley Lake 8.3
  Mokowanis Lake 6.2
  Kootenai Lakes 12.1
  Lake Francis 8.8
  Brown Pass 2.6
  Bowman Lake 6.7
Out at Bowman Lake CG   7.1
 
TOTAL
 51.8

The only obstacles that need to be worked out are actually getting the permit from Glacier and a shuttle from Bowman Lake/Polebridge down to Apgar Village. Only one real tough day here en route to Kootenai via Stoney Indian Pass.
12/27/2004 Yumi pointed out that I'll have to get the paperwork for the the backcountry office mailed in in only four months---proving that she definitely wants to do another Glacier trip.
02/19/2005

In less than 150 days we'll be back at Glacier. I've been checking out the snowpack in the area and am beginning to think that we might be able to get a route that is normally not open until August. I am excited by this prospect and have decided on my fantasy trips...

Kintla lake Bowman Lake Elizabeth Lake Foot
Upper Kintla Lake Brown Pass Mokowanis Lake
Boulder Pass Lake Francis Stoney Indian Lake
Hole in the Wall Kootenai Lakes Lake Janet
Bowman Lake Fifty Mountain Brown Pass
Granite Park Bowman Lake

I also decided to try building a Pepsi Can stove this weekend. Very simple, somewhat effective and incredibly light. After 4 different models, I still haven't found "the one", but I will.
03/04/05 Got my REI dividend today: $34 and change plus a 20% off coupon for any one item. Thinking about a free MSR Pocket Rocket or splurging on a new pack---a Gregory Forester.
03/12/2005 I've been thinking about possible back-up trips should we not get our chosen itinerary at Glacier. After surfing the web I think we may go to the Cloud Peak Wilderness Area in Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains. In fact, I'm thinking that maybe we should just plan on going here anyway as it will cut our travel time out and back by 6 or 7 hours both ways. Three other options come to mind: One would be to go back to Yellowstone National Park or the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, and the other to the Wind River Range.
03/26/2005 Couldn't help it. Went to REI in Brookfield to purchase a Pocket Rocket and wound up with a new Gregory Forester Pack. Very nice of Yumi to get me my birthday present early.
03/13/2005 Surfed over to amazon.com and purchased Molvar's Cloud Peak Wilderness Guide and a Trails Illustrated map---just in case we decide to do this. I think we can get enough information on Yellowstone and the Winds via the internet and I have the Schneider A-B Guide. Now I have to hunker down and figure this thing out. Luckily, Yumi said she'd go wherever I do. What a woman!
03/31/2005

Mailed our Glacier backcountry reservation form today. In two weeks the torturous waiting game begins to see if we get our hike.

Later today my Cloud Peak Wilderness Guide book and Map arrived. I really hope this is not an omen, but we'll get somewhere regardless. The Solitude Loop looks very promising. Yumi already asked about shower facilities around the area.
04/12/2005 Well in just a few days the maddening wait to hear from the Glacier backcountry office begins again. I'm not as anxious as I was last time as I'm confident I"ve picked a nice backup hike in the Bighorns. That said, I'd really like to get back to Glacier and snag a primo hike on a walk-up basis IF Hole-In-The-Wall, Stoney Indian Lake and Fifty Mountain open up. Ohhh, then I'd be reeeaaal happy.
04/21/2005 Starting to get a little antsy about getting our Glacier hike. As of tonight we still have 3 of our 6 options open. Like I said, I'm starting to get a little nervous. Making matters worse is the fact that Munchkin's "Magic 8 Ball" told us "Not to count on it" after I asked if we'd get our hike. Damn.
04/26/2005

The Magic * Ball was wrong. We got our hike today. And what a day it was! We did not get our first choice, but got our second which ran from Two Medicine up to St. Mary. the only problems are the distances on day 3 and 4---about 12 miles with major climbs. We're thinking of giving this one back. Then in a strange turn of events, Mark (glacier_hiker) offered me a spot in his group during late August/early September. They will be hikeing from BOW >> FRA >> KOO >> FIF >> and GRN. this is too good to pass up.

But back to our trip in July. It's looking like Yumi and I will be going to the Cloud Peak Wilderness area near Buffalo, WY. As much as I love Glacier, I can't see travelling that far for a 4 night trip---especially with our quick turnaround for the Colorado trip and our less-than-desireable campsites. Now i just have to beg Yumi san for permission to go with Mark's group.
04/28/2005 I don't know what to say. Yumi told me last night that I have her blessings to go back to Glacier with three other men I've never met. What a woman!! then, jjust this afternoonYumi just informed me that we can leave the afternoon of July 13. What this means is another day and a half to do what we want. Now I don't know what to do: Try for a walk-up permit in Glacier, Cloud Peak or maybe even hitting the "Winds". To be continued
05/17/2005

Our destination is now set...we're going to Glacier. Got good news in that we can leave the late afternoon of July 12th. This gives us another day in the park. We will also do our original hike, less the last night. Here's what it looks like:

In at Two Medicine Auto CG Upper Two Medicine Lake 5.4
  Noname Lake 4.8
  Atlantic Creek 11.5
  Red Eagle lake (Foot) 11.6
Off at St. Mary Visitor Center   7.6
 
TOTAL
 40.9
Shuttle from St. Mary Visitor Center to Trailhead at Two Medicine Lake

Not what I had originally hoped for, but it's Glacier so it's gotta be good!!!

06/26/2005 All of our arrangements are made. All that is left to do is pack and grocery shop...and wait for July 12th to finally get here. Damn, it's been a long wait.
07/08/2005 While looking at the Daily Backcountry Bulletin last night I discovered that some of the sites normally opening up in August were now available. I quickly consulted with Yumi, filled out an application form for Lake Ellen Wilson and faxed it over. Today I received notification that we got our hike from Jackson Glacier Overlook to the Lake McDonald Lodge. I am officially stoked. Only four more days. Better get the packing taken care of.
07/10/2005 Everything is now taken care of. the boys tansportation to and from soccer practices and games is now complete. Grocery shopping is done and food re-packaged. I managed to pare enough gear to keep the back seat of the truck clear for sleeping. Auto campground and shuttle reservations are made and confirmed. All bills are paid. I'm ready to go right now!!
07/13/2005 This trip was over after 6 hours. Driving just east of St. Cloud, MN, we received a phone call from son Todd saying that Yumi's mother had called. This would not be good news as we knew she would only call Yumi if her sister Yuka, who is very ill with multiple cancer's was near death. Sure enough, Yuka has but a few days remaining.