Glacier Basin — Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024

I arrived at 8:20am for my 7-9am timed entry slot and drove right up to the entrance booth. Plenty of parking was still available in the day use area at White River that time (and I noticed there were still spots available at Crystal Lakes and Owyhigh trailheads when I drove by, but Summerland was overflowing.)

Note for those who are smoke sensitive, the campfire smoke at White River campground in the morning was terrible. I noticed it as soon as I opened my car door, and got my boots on and hustled out of there as quickly as I could. Once on trail and out of the campground the air quality was fine.

Wildflowers: some, especially on the lower part of the trail are past peak, but still plentiful in species and color all along the trail. The upper sections of the trail have some nice patches of lupine blooming, although not as heavily as I’ve seen in some past years.

Bugs: bugs of many sorts were out and went from noticeable to annoying to relentless as the day progressed. Even with permethrin treated clothing and bug spray they didn’t seem to be deterred. Every time I stopped even briefly on the way down they were swarming.

Wildlife: several chipmunks, and a large marmot scampering around the empty group site at Glacier Basin camp. No bears seen but there were signs at the camp area that bears are active in the area, and a bear has been coming into camp looking for food, so backpackers should be prepared to store all food/scented items in barrels that the park service has provided.

It was a very quiet day on the trail. I saw a handful of other hiking, backpacking, and climbing parties but hiked alone most of the day and had the Basin all to myself for about half an hour. Which seemed pretty amazing for a sunny summer Sunday at MRNP!