Glacier National Park has the distinction of being the foremost trail
park. More saddle horses are used than in any other park or like
recreational region in this country. The Glacier Park Saddle Horse Co.
has available during the season about 800 saddle animals. There are
nearly 900 miles of trails in this park.
At Glacier Park, Many Glacier, and Lake McDonald Hotels,
Going-to-the-Sun Chalets, and Goathaunt Tent Camp, horses may be
engaged or released for trips in the park, including camping trips.
At Two Medicine Chalets horses may be engaged or released for local
rides only.
A wonderful 3-day excursion is afforded by the Logan Pass Triangle
trip. This trip may be started at either the Many Glacier Hotel and
Chalets or Going-to-the-Sun Chalets. Beginning at Many Glacier Hotel,
the first day's route follows up Swiftcurrent Pass to Granite Park
Chalets, where luncheon is served and the overnight stop made. The
second day the Garden Wall Trail to Logan Pass is followed, with a box
luncheon on the way, and Going-to-the-Sun Chalets is reached in late
afternoon in time for dinner. The return to Many Glacier Hotel is made
the third day via Piegan Pass, Grinnell Lake, and Josephine Lake.
The South Circle trip requires 5 days to complete and may be
started either from Many Glacier, Going-to-the-Sun Chalets, or Lake
McDonald Hotel on Lake McDonald. Three of the principal passes are
traversed--Swiftcurrent, Gunsight, and Piegan. The North Circle trip is
also a 5-day tour via tent camps, crossing Swiftcurrent Pass, Indian
Pass, and Ptarmigan Wall. The trip starts from Many Glacier Hotel,
Going-to-the-Sun Chalets, or Lake McDonald Hotel.
There is a 4-day inside trail trip from Glacier Park Hotel via Two
Medicine, Cut Bank, and Red Eagle to Sun Camp.
Many delightful specially scheduled trips of 1 and 2 days' duration are
also available.
Information about saddle-horse trips may be obtained at any of the
hotels or other points of concentration. Practically any type of
trip desired can be arranged, from short excursions to special points
of interest, such as the half-day trip from Glacier Park Hotel to
Forty-Mile Creek for $3.50, to pack trips of unlimited duration; the
larger the party, the cheaper the rates. For minimum parties of 3
persons, the average rate for 1-day trips is $5 or $6. For parties of 3
or more, the all-expense Fifty Mountain Trail trip of 3 days is $28.50;
the 5-day North Circle trip, $50.50. These are specifically mentioned
merely to give an idea of the cost; many other fine trips are available
at rates computed on a similar basis.
Special arrangements can be made for private camping parties making a
trip of 10 days or more at rates amounting to $11 a day each for groups
of 7 or more; $12 a day each for 6 persons; $13 for 5; $15 for 4; $16
for 3; $18 for 2; and $27 for 1 person. A guide and cook, are furnished
for a party of one or more persons, and extra helpers are added, if the
number of persons require it. Private trips of less than 10 days may
also be arranged.
Experienced riders may rent horses for use on the floor of the valleys
at $1 an hour, $3 for 4 hours, and $5 for 8 hours.