Photo: Bob Groff Glacier National Park Trail Repair, Montana Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 08316A Price: $595 Deposit: $100 Capacity: 12 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Bob Groff We will work repairing trails surrounded by the towering peaks, majestic forest and the alpine lakes of Glacier National Park. In 1910 President Taft set aside 1.4 million acres along the Continental Divide in Montana to protect and preserve the area's natural beauty from mining and development. In 1932 Glacier National Park joined with Canada's Waterton Lake Park to create the Waterton/Glacier International Peace Park. True to the park's name, glaciers abound here in the shadow of immense forested peaks. Glacier National Park encompasses one of the last strongholds for native fish, bird and mammal wildlife, including native bull trout, golden and bald eagles, black and grizzly bears. We will likely work in the western section of the park where there is more of a wilderness feel than in other parts of Glacier. The Project  Photo: Bob Groff The project's primary focus will be trail restoration: repairs to turnpikes and water bar drainages, brushing or cutting back overgrown vegetation obstructing the trail. We will camp and work on the western flank of the Continental Divide in the Middle North Fork area of the Park. The name comes from one of three forks in the Flathead River that limits entry to the area and which we will ford on the hike into base camp. (Remember to bring Tevas or water shoes in addition to hiking boots.) We will work hard on the days we work and play hard on our off day!
The closest commercial airport is in Kalispell, Montana, about 45 minutes from the park. Amtrak stops in the town of West Glacier, near the park headquarters. Flathead-Glacier Transportation provides shuttle service to the park as well. Call (406) 892-3390 for more information. You are responsible for arranging your own transportation to the group campsite, but information will be provided to those who wish to carpool. On day one of the trip we will meet to share an official "get acquainted" dinner at a group campground near the park headquarters. Plan to arrive no later than 5 pm. The specific location and map to this group campsite will be provided prior to trip departure. The next morning after breakfast, we will pack our lunches and shuttle to the trailhead. The hike into base camp will be approximately 4-7 miles with a small amount of elevation gain but includes a ford of the wild and scenic Middle Fork of the Flathead River. The river crossing will require water shoes. Once in camp we will set up tents and get oriented. On days three to eight we will work five days on trail repairs and take one day off to rest and explore the surrounding area. On day nine we will hike out to the trailhead where out trip ends. Lunch to eat on the hike out is the last meal provided on the trip.
We will use our own tents during the trip at a group campsite selected by the National Park Service. The service trip cook will prepare hearty meals and provide plenty of snacks. Participants will take turns assisting with kitchen duties. The cuisine will be vegetarian friendly, although the menu will include dairy products and meat alternatives. If you have special dietary concerns or food allergies, make sure to include this information in your trip application to allow time for the cook to contact you before finalizing the menu. Group water will be provided for camp use, but participants will need to bring a personal water purification system for use on the trail. We will use a park cabin to secure our kitchen equipment, food and personal scented items from wildlife.
This trip is considered strenuous due to the type of work involved. The project entails extensive use of shovels and Pulaskis to repair trail tread and build turnpikes in the park. The hike into our campsite, while moderate, does require a water crossing. Participants should have some experience hiking, camping and backpacking and in good physical condition in order to do physical work at altitude. However, novice backpackers equipped with a sense of adventure and good humor are welcome upon leader approval.
In addition to your backpacking gear, bring at least one pair of leather work gloves and a day pack to carry lunch, water, work gloves, rain gear, sunscreen and other personal items to the work site. Food and cooking equipment are provided as well a first-aid kit for emergencies. There will be purified water available for camp and commissary use but you will need to bring water purification equipment for personal use when away from camp
Maps As we receive specific information for our campsite you will receive instructions for locating it on the topographic map web site www.maptech.com. Trail Illustrated also sells a waterproof map for Glacier Park for approximately $9.95, available in many local outdoor stores. Call (800) 962-1643 to order directly. Books The Glacier Natural History Association at PO Box 428, West Glacier, Montana
59936 has a catalog of books, pamphlets, videos and maps. Call (406) 888-5756
to request a catalog. Websites www.nps.gov/glac Conservation Like many national parks, Glacier suffers from an upsurge of land development adjacent to the park boundaries-new homes and access roads as well as the mining and logging activities. The proposed Canadian coal-mining development along Glacier's northern edge was halted in late 2004 when British Columbia's minister of Energy and Mines banned open-pit coal mines and announced that the area would be spared from future development. Coal mines would have threatened wildlife and water quality in the Flathead River drainage. Other more global threats come from the changing climate. In 1850, 150 glaciers covered the landscape. In 2006 there are only 27 glaciers left inside the park, a 75-80% decrease. If the current warming trend continues, it is projected that between 2030 and 2050, there will be no more glaciers in Glacier National Park. The National Parks Conservation Association lists Glacier as one of the 10 most endangered parks. For more information see:
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Leader:
Jim Nicholas has been taking part in Sierra Club Service trips for more than a decade. They allow him to combine three of his great passions: meeting new people, preserving beautiful wild places, and field-repairing hiking equipment.
Lee Bowen has lived for 35 years in a rural community near Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, where he owns a local hardware store. Lee has been active in community service organizations and often volunteers to help maintain the Appalachian Trail. Lee likes to hike and canoe, and he especially enjoys wilderness adventures. He has been going on service trips for 20 years and looks forward both to the solitude of the mountains and the good company along the way.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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