Current Conditions in Glacier National Park, August 15th , 2008 for Montana Raft and Glacier Guides
Good morning folks, this is Denny with your hiking and rafting report for August 15th. The Glacier National Park forecast for this weekend is:
West Glacier
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 93.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
St. Marys
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 83. West wind around 8 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 83.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
The river level is 2.32 feet (1190 cfs) in West Glacier, creating a family fun wet adventure. We have been running Paola down to Blankenship on the Middle Fork and Ford Ranger Station down on the North Fork. We are running inflatable kayaks. Bonecrusher and Big Squeeze have great waves at this level, but be aware of Can Opener in Tunnel, Bonecrusher, and rocks above and in Screaming Right Hand Turn.
Remember we only put a maximum of 8-9 people per boat so everyone can have a window seat!
We have been fishing on the North Fork and Middle Fork with great results. Catching mostly rainbows, cutthroats and cut bows. 12 feet clarity with the water dropping and clearing daily. Terrestrials and foam bugs, foam lines are fishing well, try some hoppers, early morning and later in the day are fishing well, try a stimulator mid day. Oxygenated water is fishing well.
The Going to the Sun Road is open. Expect snow on the hiking trails at Logan Pass.
The trails are in great shape, but watch for slippery creek crossings, especially around waterfalls. Expect patchy snow above 7000 feet, on southern exposures at a higher elevation. Ice axes and crampons are recommended for Gunsight Pass, Como Pass and heading over Boulder Pass. Please contact the park for more details at 406 888 7800.
Closed Trails and Areas
Hidden Lake Outlet area, for resource protection.
Mt. Henkel and Mt. Altyn for resource protection.
Oberlin meadows/Renolds is closed due to emerging vegetation. There is a map at the visitor center for access to Oberlin peak.
Posted Trails and Areas
Swiftcurrent Valley Trail, trailhead to Bullhead Lake. Bears.
Iceberg/Ptarmigan Trail, trailhead to junction above Ptarmigan Falls. Bears.
Swiftcurrent Pass Trail, Trailhead to Red Rock Falls. Mountain Lions.
Trail Reports
Lake McDonald Valley
Hidden Lake Trail – Snow cover: 3%. HAZARDOUS SNOW ADVISORY: Snow bridges exist and are dangerous; please follow the yellow trail markers installed from the Visitor Center to the overlook. Use caution along wet rocks and melting creek areas.
Highline to Granite Park Chalet - Snow cover is about 5%. SNOW HAZARD ADVISORY: Hiking poles may be helpful for some hikers in crossing small patches of snow.
Sperry Glacier Trail from the Chalet has SNOW HAZARD, WATER HAZARD ADVISORY. Trail is clear for the first 1.5 miles. The next 2.2 miles to the headwall are 30% snow covered and the trail is crossed by a few steep snowfields; hidden snow bridges exist and caution is advised. The headwall steps can be accessed without too much problem, the trail going up to it has little snow cover, although it is very wet (snow-free also in the staircase itself). Once past the stairwell, trail is 60% snow covered but it is easy to follow the footsteps and carins to Sperry Glacier. Overall, hiking poles or an ice axe strongly recommended, as well as expirience using them and/or expirience on snow and ice.
Avalanche Lake Trail is clear. *PLEASE be mindful of "Restoration Area" signs along the trail and around the campground and try to prevent/reduce resource impacts by staying on the trail or walking on durable surfaces (ex: lakeshore, rocks, logs, etc.).*
Loop Trail is clear of snow.
Apgar Lookout free of snow, some trees down.
Mt Brown Lookout is free of snow.
St. Marys Valley
Siyeh Pass does have some snow on the baring creek side.
Gunsight Pass has four snow fields remaining 1/2 mile before Gunsight Pass, two are a little tougher to get around. Ice axe, crampons, and the ability to self-arrest recommended. One snowfield is about 25 meters wide at the point of crossing with a steep run out of 200 meters ending in rocks. The other snowfield is at a moderate angle with a short run out into a scree field. Steps are kicked out through one of the fields and snow was hard and icy late in the day. It was possible to skirt around all but the one snowfield with the steps kicked out, which was relatively easy to cross IF you have experience on snow and ice. The last 200 yards of trail leading to the pass is partly snow-covered, with the pass itself free of snow. Snow can be avoided by skirting above and below slopes on steep rocks. The snow patches flaten out and taper off at the pass but avoid the edges drops off at a near 80 degree angle with a long snow run out ending in cliffs.
Many Glacier Valley
Iceberg Lake Trail is open but is posted for Bears frequenting. There are icebergs.
Grinnell Glacier Trail has snow cover at 1%, just a couple of small snow patches. Some glacial ice showing on Grinnell Glacier. Upper Grinnell lake mostly frozen.
Ptarmigan Falls to Ptarmigan Tunnel. The tunnel is open.
Two Medicine Valley
Dawson Pitamakin is reporting a little snow, but no snow hazard.
North Fork
Head of Bowman Lake towards Browns Pass has a couple of trees down and a stream crossing at Pocket Creek.
Kintla Lake to Boulder Pass is clear of trees, 5% snow cover at 7000 feet below Boulder Pass Campground.
Backpacking
Mcdonald Lake CG is closed and expected to stay that way until reconstructed.
Round Prairie is in spring conditions and may open in the next couple weeks.
Fifty Mountain, Boulder, Isabel, Camas Lake and Cobalt Lake have recently opened.
Backpackers are now going over Red Gap Pass, Gunsight, Boulder, Stoney Indian, Dawson, Pitamakin, Triple Divide, Swift Current and Browns Pass.
The bears and lions are out and about. Use caution around wildlife, there are young of the year and their parents are very protective. Remember, we sell bear spray at cost.
Before a long day of adventuring in Glacier please stop by the Bonecrusher Bistro for an espresso, breakfast burrito or sandwich (open 8 am to 6 pm). Or stop by after for a smoothie, home made cookie or ice cream cone.
Good morning folks, this is Denny with your hiking and rafting report for August 15th. The Glacier National Park forecast for this weekend is:
West Glacier
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 93.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
St. Marys
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 83. West wind around 8 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 83.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
The river level is 2.32 feet (1190 cfs) in West Glacier, creating a family fun wet adventure. We have been running Paola down to Blankenship on the Middle Fork and Ford Ranger Station down on the North Fork. We are running inflatable kayaks. Bonecrusher and Big Squeeze have great waves at this level, but be aware of Can Opener in Tunnel, Bonecrusher, and rocks above and in Screaming Right Hand Turn.
Remember we only put a maximum of 8-9 people per boat so everyone can have a window seat!
We have been fishing on the North Fork and Middle Fork with great results. Catching mostly rainbows, cutthroats and cut bows. 12 feet clarity with the water dropping and clearing daily. Terrestrials and foam bugs, foam lines are fishing well, try some hoppers, early morning and later in the day are fishing well, try a stimulator mid day. Oxygenated water is fishing well.
The Going to the Sun Road is open. Expect snow on the hiking trails at Logan Pass.
The trails are in great shape, but watch for slippery creek crossings, especially around waterfalls. Expect patchy snow above 7000 feet, on southern exposures at a higher elevation. Ice axes and crampons are recommended for Gunsight Pass, Como Pass and heading over Boulder Pass. Please contact the park for more details at 406 888 7800.
Closed Trails and Areas
Hidden Lake Outlet area, for resource protection.
Mt. Henkel and Mt. Altyn for resource protection.
Oberlin meadows/Renolds is closed due to emerging vegetation. There is a map at the visitor center for access to Oberlin peak.
Posted Trails and Areas
Swiftcurrent Valley Trail, trailhead to Bullhead Lake. Bears.
Iceberg/Ptarmigan Trail, trailhead to junction above Ptarmigan Falls. Bears.
Swiftcurrent Pass Trail, Trailhead to Red Rock Falls. Mountain Lions.
Trail Reports
Lake McDonald Valley
Hidden Lake Trail – Snow cover: 3%. HAZARDOUS SNOW ADVISORY: Snow bridges exist and are dangerous; please follow the yellow trail markers installed from the Visitor Center to the overlook. Use caution along wet rocks and melting creek areas.
Highline to Granite Park Chalet - Snow cover is about 5%. SNOW HAZARD ADVISORY: Hiking poles may be helpful for some hikers in crossing small patches of snow.
Sperry Glacier Trail from the Chalet has SNOW HAZARD, WATER HAZARD ADVISORY. Trail is clear for the first 1.5 miles. The next 2.2 miles to the headwall are 30% snow covered and the trail is crossed by a few steep snowfields; hidden snow bridges exist and caution is advised. The headwall steps can be accessed without too much problem, the trail going up to it has little snow cover, although it is very wet (snow-free also in the staircase itself). Once past the stairwell, trail is 60% snow covered but it is easy to follow the footsteps and carins to Sperry Glacier. Overall, hiking poles or an ice axe strongly recommended, as well as expirience using them and/or expirience on snow and ice.
Avalanche Lake Trail is clear. *PLEASE be mindful of "Restoration Area" signs along the trail and around the campground and try to prevent/reduce resource impacts by staying on the trail or walking on durable surfaces (ex: lakeshore, rocks, logs, etc.).*
Loop Trail is clear of snow.
Apgar Lookout free of snow, some trees down.
Mt Brown Lookout is free of snow.
St. Marys Valley
Siyeh Pass does have some snow on the baring creek side.
Gunsight Pass has four snow fields remaining 1/2 mile before Gunsight Pass, two are a little tougher to get around. Ice axe, crampons, and the ability to self-arrest recommended. One snowfield is about 25 meters wide at the point of crossing with a steep run out of 200 meters ending in rocks. The other snowfield is at a moderate angle with a short run out into a scree field. Steps are kicked out through one of the fields and snow was hard and icy late in the day. It was possible to skirt around all but the one snowfield with the steps kicked out, which was relatively easy to cross IF you have experience on snow and ice. The last 200 yards of trail leading to the pass is partly snow-covered, with the pass itself free of snow. Snow can be avoided by skirting above and below slopes on steep rocks. The snow patches flaten out and taper off at the pass but avoid the edges drops off at a near 80 degree angle with a long snow run out ending in cliffs.
Many Glacier Valley
Iceberg Lake Trail is open but is posted for Bears frequenting. There are icebergs.
Grinnell Glacier Trail has snow cover at 1%, just a couple of small snow patches. Some glacial ice showing on Grinnell Glacier. Upper Grinnell lake mostly frozen.
Ptarmigan Falls to Ptarmigan Tunnel. The tunnel is open.
Two Medicine Valley
Dawson Pitamakin is reporting a little snow, but no snow hazard.
North Fork
Head of Bowman Lake towards Browns Pass has a couple of trees down and a stream crossing at Pocket Creek.
Kintla Lake to Boulder Pass is clear of trees, 5% snow cover at 7000 feet below Boulder Pass Campground.
Backpacking
Mcdonald Lake CG is closed and expected to stay that way until reconstructed.
Round Prairie is in spring conditions and may open in the next couple weeks.
Fifty Mountain, Boulder, Isabel, Camas Lake and Cobalt Lake have recently opened.
Backpackers are now going over Red Gap Pass, Gunsight, Boulder, Stoney Indian, Dawson, Pitamakin, Triple Divide, Swift Current and Browns Pass.
The bears and lions are out and about. Use caution around wildlife, there are young of the year and their parents are very protective. Remember, we sell bear spray at cost.
Before a long day of adventuring in Glacier please stop by the Bonecrusher Bistro for an espresso, breakfast burrito or sandwich (open 8 am to 6 pm). Or stop by after for a smoothie, home made cookie or ice cream cone.
