(Posted by Caitlin)
I'll let the pictures do most of the talking and try to keep this short.
We bought backcountry permits for two 3 day/2 night backpacking trips spaced one day apart out here in GNP, Montana. Our total mileage was 49 mi and our total elevation gain was almost 9,000 ft. The first trip was through Two Medicine. The other was through Many Glacier, which the rangers call "Bear City".
After setting up our first camp in Two Medicine, we realized we had encroached the territory of North America's most formidable creature: pushy, sneaky, hungry chipmunks. Samara quickly came to our rescue, leaving our food and bags intact. Our time in Many Glacier was cut short by a mild rain storm. We decided to hike the remaining 20 miles in one day instead of two because we (and our sleeping bags) were soaked due to our lack of rain gear (sometimes backpacking IS a rich man's sport). We returned to the comfort of this luxurious camper and are spending tonight at a KOA just outside the park. We cleaned, vaccuumed, washed, and waxed the camper. Tonight, we are looking forward to unnecessarily long showers and NyQuil assisted sleep.
Lake McDonald at Park Entrance
Two Medicine
We were less than 10ft away and it wouldn't move
Bear-Aware Practices
Mountain goat
Samara gets the Thermo-rest
We get pine needles
A view from the front our second camp
Swimming holes that were too cold
Many Glacier
Black bear prints
Our feet after hiking 20 miles in the rain and mud
Our KOA Campground Host
