A friend of mine who doesn't do the outdoor thing sent me this regarding the difference between black and grizzly bears and the use of "bear" bells and bear spray.

" Outdoors men should recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear scat:
Black bear scat is smaller and contains lots of berries and squirrel fur.
Grizzly bear scat is larger, has little bells in it, and smells like pepper."

A little dark humor for the outdoor set

You mention about the bears in Glacier - that whole thing really messes with your mind.  Pre Mrs. Daypack was extremely frightened when on the trail.  She wore these bells on the outside of her pack so as not to startle a bear. 

One time she saw what appeared to be a large bear coming down the trail at us.  She sorta sqeaked and ran off in the opposite direction like a bat outta hell.  I looked further and realized what she saw was a bunch of free ranging cattle walking down the trail.   

On the 85 trip we did the girlfriend flew home after 2 weeks and I spent 10 days solo backpacking.  That was a real test of my mental endurance as I pictured man eating bears chasing me down for lunch.      

One morning camped beside a gorgeous trout lake in the woods I DID hear a bear.  I was laying in my tent in the early dawn and heard what sounded like a low moan.  It then got louder but seemed to be moving back down the trail.  I was scared crapless.

My guess is that the bear (grizzly or black, not sure) saw my tent and ran.

And that train ride....    We were in coach not having money for a sleeper car.  It was extremely hard to sleep with all the stops and commotion.  But it was a very good experience.  I remember hanging in the lounge car after dark with people from all over and this dude had a guitar and was singing folk songs.  It was pretty magical. 

I remember talking with someone who was moving to alaska.  As a young twenty something that was pretty inspiring.  When we went back to Glacier the following year I applied for a job at the Forest Service.

About a month later I got a message that they had called me back about a position.  And then I did something that I regret to this day.  I didn't return the call.   

It was nice to meet you Wally.   

Hey Daypack!

Nice pics and a story.  Seems many of us have done the young and wild thing.  Pre-Mrs. Wally and I did a similar but less intesnse hike in Glacier back in 1992.    I also got her to walk up Mt. Sheridan back at Heart Lake/Yellowstone in 1988.  We drove out in my Pinto that had a 1600cc motor with no heater core and about $50 to our name.  "Hoboed" on the backroads, on private property each nite.

Love your pics!  Those types of stories are priceless.  I hear the Cody museum is a must, if one has time to see it.

East Glacier Lodge is timeless isn't it.

Train ride from C town?....UGGHH!  That was a true feat of endurance.

Nice to meet you.

Wally this was excellent.  It brought back many memories for me and my wife.  We went there twice before we were married.  

In 1984 we were young and kinda stupid but we took the train from Chicago with only our backpacks for two weeks.  Made the BIG mistake of reading "Night of the Grizzlies" (true account of 2 girls eaten alive in 1966 at Glacier Park) on the train.  We stayed at the East Glacier Lodge then set out on what was supposed to be a three hour hike up to "scenic point."  Well, we disregarded a cowboys advice not to go because of high winds and ended up spending the night at 7,000 feet laying on our ground tarp in 70 mile an hr. gusts.

My girlfriend (now wife) sprained an ankle on the way down so we ended up hitch hiking around the park and taking those big red tour buses.  We had $3.50 to our name when it was time to leave so we bought a loaf of bread and peanut butter & jelly for the 28 hour train ride home.

The next year we drove out to Yellowstone/Glacier for 2 weeks in my Jeep wrangler.  Cody Wyoming is a great place to stop.  We were there for the 4th of July.  Went to a rodeo and saw the parade down Main St.

Thanks for the memories.  We hope to get back there real soon.  

East Glacier in 1984

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High camp in 1985

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Daypack and pre Mrs. Daypack 1985

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July 4th 1985 parade in Cody Wy.  You don't see this sort of stuff everyday where I'm from.

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Furball.....
some novice thoughts on a 5-day hike, from myself....

...get in shape prior to leaving
...obtain and break-in your boots well before the trip
...have a plan to deal with blisters...moleskin, tape, padding,etc.
...consider experimenting with a liner sock that hikers use to decrease friction over their foots pressure points
...use high quality hiking socks

if you're more of a flabby, weaker hiker (like me)...consider trying out trekking poles before you go.  The experienced hikers give mixed reviews.  Some amazingly fit hikers choose to use them as well.  Here's a link to the Glacier chat page on the "trekking pole" thread/discussion for you to review.

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The bear danger is real...just use your head.  My buddy told me from his days hiking in Alaska..."if the grizz can fit your head in it's mouth, you'll probably die.  If it can't, you'll probably live".  Reassuring I thought.  He correlated death rates in Grizz atacks, to the ability of the animal to puncture or crush your skull.  You can remember that when you hear that "bump" in the night at 2AM.

One thing's for sure...Although bears are numerous...attacks are quite rare.  Search the above Glacier link for the discussions on bear sprays.

Your biggest "threat" may be the deer.  They have absolutly no fear of people...and if a dry year, will come right to your tent and take anything they can get.  If it has sweat...thay want the material to chew and get the salt you left behind.  Many who left t-shirts, socks, shoes out, found them gone.  The Lake Francis site even had a warning posted to the tree on the deer.  If you urinate on the ground....go well away from your camp...the deer and other critters will be attracted to the salt products in it.

If you're a photo hound....bracket shoot everytghing.  The place is stunning....you'll take twice as many pics as you think.

Go lightweight with all your gear if you can afford it....you'll be happy later.

The prior link to the Glacier board has all the info you could ever want and they are quite helpful.

Have fun!

Wally,
What a coincidence, I am planning a similar trip this summer over the 4th of July weekend. Do you have a list of things you would do different? Our plan as it stands now (will change 100+ times.) Is to drive their the 3rd, 4th, and arrive on the 5th.

We were going to try and backcountry hike/camp for 5 nights and then hike out.

What I have picked up is, make sure you have broken in your boots!!! Any other nuggets of knowledge to pass along? Would hike the same trail in the future? Also having similar feelings about bears, not so much for my safety but am worried for my wife etc... Black Bears no problem, Grizzly' makes me nervous.

I'll take any info you have, it's tough to plan it having never been their before.

Wally:  We brought our own canoe.  It is an ultalight aluminum 14 ft by Radisson.  Only weights 41 lbs!   We camped at the Two Medicine campground and took day trips on the lake.   Another photo attached.

davkumi.....nice shot of Painted Teepee in the background.  Did you rent the boat at the lake?  Or bring personal craft?

YB and Ranger....thanks. I enjoyed reliving it.  Hope you both can go.

I'm considering another trip out the to stay at Granit Park Chalet and day trip over three days to various backcountry vistas.

Yellowstone....awaits for me another day...

Thanks for the great report, Wally! You definitely put Glacier on my list of places to visit.

Ranger

Stunning photos Wally, the place is gorgeous.  Appreciate the time you spent displaying them here.

-YB