Itinerary help

Friday July 3rd: Arrive in Salt Lake City in morning - Drive the long haul to Kalispell and stay at motel.

Saturday: Find a campsite in Glacier (probably along GTTSR). Hike.

Sunday: Move to Many Glacier Campground. Hike.

Monday: Hike, stay at Many Glacier campground.

Tuesday: Move to Two Medicine Campground. Hike.

Wednesday: If we feel we%26#39;ve gotten our fill of GNP, then get up early %26amp; drive to Yellowstone and camp. Or we%26#39;ll bump this day%26#39;s itinerary to Thursday and stay another day to hike.

Thursday: Hike in YNP, Camp in GTNP.

Friday: Hike in GTNP, Stay at Hotel in Jackson

Saturday: Drive to Salt Lake City and drive home.

Question 1:

We%26#39;ve never been to Glacier National Park, but we%26#39;ve been to YNP/GTNP the past two summers. Are we better off skipping YNP/GTNP? Its about a 3-4 hour detour of extra driving as opposed to going direct from Glacier to Salt Lake City. But we love the area, and it would be a nice way to break up the long drive back to Salt Lake City. Also, Jackson makes a good last-night place to unwind and recollect after a week of camping.

Question 2: Our focus is mainly on the East side of Glacier. Should we try to split the nights between the east and west side? Or is there more/better hiking in the east?

Question 3: Best campground that offers nearby showers and laundry facilities?

Question 4: Worth devoting any time to exploring Kalispell? Or is it more of a place to stop for lodging/supplies on the way to Glacier?

Thanks for any/all help.

Itinerary help

My 2 cents worth would be get up early and head over GTTS. Consider hidden lake overlook. Camp at rising sun or St. Mary in the park (right on GTTS)and get some other short hikes (virgina falls area-sunrift gorge) East is more scenic and has better hiking. Rising Sun store has showers in back. Get up early, drive 1/2 mi back on GTTS to wild goose island for sunrise. See if Many Glacier ahs any openings (you are about 15 miles away so you could continue to stay there and drive to and from) Move if possible. Swiftcurrent has showers.

Kalispel is pretty basic, Whitefish a little more intersting but the park beats out the towns.

Other hiking options are plentiful, depending on your desire/fittness/time.

You will soon know if Glacier is your place or you wnat to move on.