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Kayaking in Glacier NP *LINK*
By:Chris Sperry
Date: 1/17/2009, 12:14 pm
In Response To: Re: Just one more (Scott Baxter)

Scott,

Here is a quick summary of kayaking the Lakes in Glacier NP: Most of these lakes are not as freezing cold as one might expect.

Two Medicine: easy access, paved parking, small store, camping. Smaller lake with towering peaks, very interesting shoreline paddling. A personal favorite.

St. Mary Lake: Large lake, camping. To reach a put-in for the upper reaches in the photos, I shouldered my kayak and packed it about a mile up the Sun Point Nature Trail. Difficult access this way. There is a boat launch closer to Rising Sun Campground, where a retreat could be tricky should the wind come up. Beautiful scenery with soaring peaks.

Many Glacier area: Famous lodge accomodations. Paddle Swiftcurrent Lake and the connecting river to Lake Josephine. Tour around beneath Mt. Grinnell and hike up to the Grinnell Glacier Trail. There is a tour boat that cruises around Lake Josephine that has no impact on my enjoyment of the area.

Lake McDonald: Large lodge accommodations or camping. I have not paddled Lake McDonald but intend to. There is very interesting scenery along McDonald Creek as it cascades toward the lake.

For more of a back country adventure, take the Outside Northfork Road to Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake.

Bowman Lake: lots of camping, and easy launching. Lots of forested shoreline to tour on the way to the towering peaks at the upper end.

Kintla Lake: it's back in there! Very small modestly developed campground. Beautiful back country lake, towering peaks, and a fun adventure. It can be difficult to get a camping spot during peak season. Check with the Rangers.

Waterton Lake, Canada: bring your passport so you can have the option to visit out neighbors to the north. Camping or famous lodge accomodations. This could be a tricky paddling trip should the wind come up, mainly due to the cold water. Dress for immersion.

: Chris,
: It is a great looking boat, how about a little more information on the lakes
: in the area. Some of us have been thinking about heading that direction
: this summer.
: Scott

Messages In This Thread

Launching: Shearwater Merganser in Glacier National Park *Pic*
Chris Sperry -- 1/16/2009, 11:22 pm
Just one more *NM* *Pic*
Chris Sperry -- 1/16/2009, 11:29 pm
Very nice, Chris but...
Robert N Pruden -- 1/19/2009, 11:52 pm
Re: Just one more
Scott Baxter -- 1/17/2009, 12:58 am
The Glacier Institute *LINK* *Pic*
Chris Sperry -- 1/17/2009, 12:51 pm
Kayaking in Glacier NP *LINK*
Chris Sperry -- 1/17/2009, 12:14 pm
Re: Kayaking in Glacier NP
Scott Baxter -- 1/18/2009, 12:58 pm
Hey, Scott...
Robert N Pruden -- 1/19/2009, 11:54 pm
Re: Hey, Scott...
Scott Baxter -- 1/20/2009, 9:07 am
Re: Hey, Scott...
Robert N Pruden -- 1/20/2009, 5:39 pm
Re: Kayaking in Glacier NP
Chris Sperry -- 1/18/2009, 1:37 pm
Re: Kayaking in Glacier NP
Scott Baxter -- 1/18/2009, 6:18 pm
And another photo *NM* *Pic*
Chris Sperry -- 1/16/2009, 11:27 pm
Another photo *NM* *Pic*
Chris Sperry -- 1/16/2009, 11:25 pm