The park is a paradise for hikers and mountain climbers. There are
numerous places of interest near all hotels and chalets which can be
visited by easy walks. Or trips can be made to occupy one or more days,
stops being planned at various hostelries or camping sites en route.
Space does not permit giving detailed information regarding points
of interest along the trails, but this can be secured from Elrod's
Guidebook and the United States topographic map. Directional signs are
posted at all trail junctions. There is not the slightest danger of
hikers getting lost if they stay on the trails. It is safe to travel
any of these trails alone. Unless wild animals in the park are molested
or are protecting their young they never attack human beings.
Hikers should secure a topographic map of the park which shows all
streams, lakes, glaciers, mountains, and other principal features in
their proper positions. With a little practice it can be read easily.
The official map can be purchased for 25 cents at the superintendent's
office at Belton, the administration office at Glacier Park Station,
the hotels, and all registration stations at the park entrances.
The trip should not be ruined by attempting too much. An average of 2
or 3 miles per hour is good hiking time in the rough park country. One
thousand feet of climb per hour is satisfactory progress over average
trails. In this rugged country hikes of 15 miles or more should be
attempted only by those who are accustomed to long, hard trips. An
attempt at mountain climbing or "stunts" should not be made alone
unless one is thoroughly acquainted with the nature of Glacier's
mountains and weather. Too often "stunts" result in serious body
injuries, or even death, as well as much arduous work for rangers and
others. Hikers should consult a ranger naturalist or information ranger
before venturing on a hazardous, novel, or new undertaking. No one but
an experienced mountaineer should attempt to spend a night in the open.
Shelter cabins, for free use by parties overtaken by a storm, have been
erected by the Government on Indian, Piegan, and Gunsight Passes. They
are equipped with flagstone floors, stoves, and a limited supply of
fuel wood. Mountain etiquette demands that they not be left in a
disorderly state, that no more fuel be consumed than is absolutely
necessary, and that their privileges and advantages not be abused.
Shelter is not available in some of the most beautiful sections of the
park. To those who are sufficiently sturdy to pack blankets, cooking
utensils, and provisions, and are sufficiently versed in woodcraft
to take care of themselves overnight, Glacier presents wonderful
opportunities. Provisions can be purchased at Glacier Park Station,
Belton, and at any hotel or chalet in the park. For fire prevention,
it is unlawful to build campfires (or fires of any kind) except at
designated places. The location of these sites can be ascertained from
park rangers. Unless one is an experienced mountaineer and thoroughly
familiar with the park, it is unwise to go far from the regular trails
alone. He should not scorn the services of a guide on such trips.
_Above all, he should not attempt to hike across country from one trail
to another._ The many sheer cliffs make this extremely dangerous.
If one is a veteran mountaineer and plans to climb peaks or explore
trackless country, he should take the precaution to leave an outline of
his plans at his hotel, chalet, or camp, giving especially the time he
expects to return or reach his next stopping place.
At each ranger station, hotel, chalet, and permanent camp in the park
will be found a "Hiker's Register" book. Everyone is urged for his own
protection to make use of these registers, entering briefly his name,
home address, time of departure, plans, and probability of taking side
trips or of changing plans. The hotel clerk should be informed of these
at the time of departure. If a ranger is not there, this information
should be entered in the register which will be found near the door
outside the building, so that when the ranger returns he can report
it to the next station or to headquarters. These precautions are to
protect the park visitor. In case of injury or loss, rangers will
immediately investigate.
In planning hiking trips, the following should also be taken into
consideration: At higher elevations one sunburns easily and painfully
because of the rarity of the atmosphere and intense brightness of the
sun. Hikers should include in their kits amber goggles and cold cream
for glacier and high mountain trips.
Footwear is most important. A hike should not be started with shoes
or boots that have not been thoroughly broken in. Because feet swell
greatly on a long trip, hiking shoes should be at least a half size
larger than street shoes. They need not be heavy, awkward shoes--in
fact, light shoes are much easier on the feet. Most people are made
uncomfortable by high-top boots or shoes which retard the circulation
of the calves. Six-or eight-inch tops are sufficient. Soles should be
flexible, preferably of some composition which is not slippery when
wet. Crepe soles are excellent for mountain climbing and for fishing.
Hobnailed shoes are necessary only for grassy slopes or cross-country
work. Hungarian nails are much to be preferred to hobs, and only a
light studding of soles and heels is most effective. White silk socks
should be worn next to the feet, a pair of heavy wool (German) socks
over them. Soaking the feet daily in salt or alum solution toughens
them. On a hike the feet should be bathed in cold water whenever
possible.
Hiking trips with ranger naturalists are described under that service.
There are many interesting short side trips from all hotels, chalets,
and camps. Short self-guiding trails upon which interesting objects
of natural history are fittingly labeled have been established at the
following places: