Trip advice

[barknoxbrawler]

Qwerty, since you specifically requested off-the-beaten path routes and destinations, the northwestern corner of Glacier, which borders the North Fork of the Flathead River, receives very little traffic, particularly during the time you will be going. Take the Camas Creek Road from West Glacier to its junction with the "Outside North Fork" road, then follow the latter route to Polebridge, where you pick up the "Inside North Fork" road and follow it on up to Kintla Lake. The route is described in much greater detail on this web page: Polebridge - North Fork - Montana Glacier National Park MT.

Please note that the Polebridge Mercantile is a National Historic Landmark, one that looks like something straight out of Clint Eastwood's Spaghetti Westerns. More importantly, it is positively renowned for producing extraordinary pastries. With respect to the road beyond this point to Kintla Lake, be forewarned. It is, indeed, "maintained in a primitive condition. [It is] rough, dusty, and narrow, with many blind curves and few pullouts." Having traversed it once, "pocked like the surface of the moon" might be a more accurate descriptor than simply characterizing it as rough. The North Fork country, however, is gorgeous, wild country and solitude more than likely will be your constant companion while traversing it.

You should change your name to Wikipedia Rex.

 

[Volosaurus rex]

Thanks. Over the last 38 years I have made some 28 trips to various portions of the Rocky Mountains and I never get tired of it, particularly in the fall. On one perfect September afternoon in 1976, Glacier was my first exposure to the Rockies and it remains my favorite destination. Due to its remoteness, not to mention its extraordinary beauty, one can experience a degree of solitude there which is rarely achieved in the lower 48.

 

[BenGrimm]

Thanks. Over the last 38 years I have made some 28 trips to various portions of the Rocky Mountains and I never get tired of it, particularly in the fall. On one perfect September afternoon in 1976, Glacier was my first exposure to the Rockies and it remains my favorite destination. Due to its remoteness, not to mention its extraordinary beauty, one can experience a degree of solitude there which is rarely achieved in the lower 48.

I would rather be in the Rockies the beach. Friends think I'm weird.

 

[qwerty]

I really appreciate the info.

 

[Volosaurus rex]

Have you already booked your flight and have you decided roughly how much time you want to devote to each park? If you visit the Tetons, two of the most iconic views are the Snake River Overlook (Grand Teton Framed Prints Photos by James Kay Photography, Photos of Wyoming) and the Oxbow Bend Overlook (Photograph of Mount Moran by James Kay Photography, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming). As the latter image illustrates, the Oxbow Bend area is one of the best fall foliage destinations in the park. Because of its marshy vegetation, this area also is excellent moose habitat.

 

[qwerty]

We plan to spend a couple days in the Tetons, 3 days in Yellowstone, 4 in Glacier, then we will have 3 days to make it back to Salt Lake...which may include dropping by Boise.

 

[Volosaurus rex]

Qwerty, I don't know if you're still checking this thread or not, but another option worthy of your consideration is the Teton Scenic Byway (http://www.visitidaho.org/scenic-byways/teton-scenic-byway/), which travels through Victor, Tetonia and Driggs in eastern Idaho. It is far less heavily travelled than the main park roads and provides fundamentally different views of the Tetons. Fall foliage is also much more impressive on this route than in most sections of the park itself.