russjc001 Loc: South Carolina

Don't forget Peyto Lake along the Icefields Parkway. Also Emerald Lake up Canadian RT 1 in British Columbia (20 miles or so from Lake Louise). Both offer various hike potentials. Johnston Canyon Trail just north of Canmore is excellent - gorges, falls, etc. BTW - if you have not yet made your hotel reservations, you may already be too late. Suggest The a Great Bear Inn in West Glacier is great. There is so much to see in both parks so do your research and plan well ahead. And yes, bear spray is a good idea. When Grizzlies have been spotted along any trails, they often post signs for four hikers together as a minimum.

Caysnowman Loc: MN & SC

:thumbup: :thumbup:

wrk1234 Loc: Russellville, Arkansas

I don't know where in the Midwest you are starting from, but if you can work it in, the Beartooth Highway between Red Lodge and Cooke City, Montana is a beautiful route. I will also agree that you need to stop at Waterton National Park in Canada between Glacier and Banff. It is also an area my wife and I visited in 2013.

Caysnowman Loc: MN & SC

If possible, drive GTTS Hwy East to West.

Bill

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

"Or better yet use a bear bell"?? Really?

Have you ever had an encounter with an obnoxious bear? Bear bells simply let the bear know where you are so they can find you easier. At least the coffee can of rocks gives you something to throw at a charging bear! Bear spray gives you a fighting chance, and has proven effective about 90% of the time. You don't want to be on the receiving end of the other 10%... :-(

And yes, the selfie sticks can be highly annoying!!

bwa

RuthP Loc: Montana

I am about 60 miles from Glacier. I'm excited for you to visit Glacier National Park. Going To The Sun Road is a must and a lot of trails are on this drive. It is going to be super busy on the road, so take your time and stop at the turnoffs. Many Glacier is one of our favorite spots and there are a lot of wildlife there. Two Medicine has some easy hikes. The photo opportunities are abundant. You need to make reservations for motels. If you can, stay at any of the Lodges, but they are pricey. East Glacier is one of my favorite places....if you can't stay at the Lodge, I would suggest Jacobsens Cottages. Apgar is a fun place but I think motels would be hard to get if you don't have reservations. You just can't go wrong with this trip. And Waterton in Canada is an amazing place! Also, if you are a golfer, there are some great courses! We've seen bears on the East Glacier golf course.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Hi Ruth. Thank you for that list! Janny and I might be out that way next year. How are the camp grounds? Our they pretty close to everything?
Erv

Bobbee

Ya know, I see our from 'up there'. Maybe you could convince you local breather to stop stocking those things in the stores AND telling people they keep the bears away. Reminds me of the times during the Missile Crisis where they had us ducking our heads under the desks. Great that does in a nuclear attack!!

MtnMan Loc: ID

Canada allows the big cans of bear spray.

The don't allow the little personal pepper spray. Go figure.

MtnMan Loc: ID

The Asian Invasion is a big problem in major U.S. parks in September now. They have been discovered. Don't know about the Canadian parks then. Don't know when it starts in spring when the OP is planning to go. I don't go to the parks between Memorial Day and Labor day any more.

You need a hard hat to ward off the selfie sticks.

But if you can find parking go 1/2 mile up the trail and the problem is gone.

willmscr Loc: Beloit Wisconsin

It's good to know that the selfie stick crowd doesn't hike.

MtnMan Loc: ID

The spray claims effectiveness of 20 feet. That assumes you aren't spraying into a wind...which you don't want to do anyway.

I've never had to use it on a bear. It is mostly a reminder to be vigilant. If you are you can usually back away quietly. So far have only had to do that for Black Bear a couple of times. They mostly run anyway. The thought of getting within 20 feet of an unhappy Grizz isn't pleasant. To appreciate what it might be like watch The Revenant.

There was one time in AK where I was near to trying the pepper spray on a bull Moose who chose to use our trail but quick back steps off the trail behind a tree resolved the situation.

The most threatening animal we have encountered are Bison. I doubt that the pepper spray would impress them. They injure and kill the most tourists in Yellowstone. We give them a wide margin.

I suspect the pepper spray would also be effective on Cougar. But outside of California, even though they exist in good numbers, they aren't usually a threat. We did have one kill a dog and scratch a kid near our house in Idaho a few years back. I met the kid at our mailbox a couple years after the event. The Cougar was defending the dog he had killed. F&G came up and killed it because it was in a populated area. They have to remove some from Potato Cellars each year in Idaho. They use tranquilizers on them.

The pepper spray is also a good confidence builder against potentially threatening people. Particularly in Canada where they make it difficult to bring firearms. You can bring long guns but have to fill out forms and pay $25. Not worth the hassle unless hunting. We keep one pepper spray in the truck and one in the camper.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Just came across this on my Facebook. Highline trail in Glacier. Might have to head up there for this one!

http://www.facebook.com/kiki.turner.79/videos/10207524189796033/

Bobbee

That was some bear attack scene in The Revenant. That movie reminded my of Jeremiah Johnson.........never ending. Although it was more entertaining than JJ.

MtManMD Loc: Beaverton, Oregon

Glacier NP
- Hidden Lake trail (Logan Pass). Bighorns and goats are frequently seen along with great scenery.
- Highline Trail (great scenery, high likelihood of wildlife).
- Iceberg Lake and Swiftcurrent trails (Many Glaciers Area). Great scenery, very likely to see bears.

Banff
- Vermillion Lakes is one of my favorites. A sense of wilderness just outside of Banff. A great place for sunrise and sunset.
- Moraine Lake is not to be missed. Warning, traffic and parking can be outrageous. Columns of buses loaded with tourists. Get there early morning to beat the crowds and to be able to enjoy this awesome place.
- Bow Valley Parkway is a beautiful and peaceful drive.

Vermillion Lakes and Mount Rundle at sunset

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