Backpacking between Granite Park Chalet and Sperry Chalet

[NotAllAreLost]

Interesting, if you had back to back days and Granite and Sperry chalets. You could theoretically do it in one day hike by using the floral park traverse between Granite and Sperry. You could get to Logan pass either by hiking down to the loop and grabbing the shuttle or hiking the trails to Logan. It would be a long day but definitely doable depending upon your condition.

The Floral Park Traverse looks like a great off-trail hike. It would be a long day, but quite the adventure.

[Jay w]

The Floral Park route

The hike up to the ridge between Hidden Lake and Floral Park (Mary Baker) is quite steep. Of course I could be remembering it wrong, but it was hard packed with some gravel on top and I was on the edge of retaining grip (hands and feet climbing). It was steep enough that I looked down and thought it would be a very difficult climb down unless you slide on your ass. (Bring appropriate britches.) The other side into Mary Baker is also quite steep (and all 130 lbs of Todd hauled ass down that), but at least is has some vegetation. I bent a pole there when a foot slipped. All this is to say, I'd hate to carry a pack over that. I'm sure that some are capable, but would take a combination of strength and a light pack. I'd rather hoof 30 miles over Gunsight. Not half bad scenery though.

Jay

[paul]

Yeah, not saying it would be easy. But then again, you would probably only need to carry a sleeping bag and some food if you were staying at the chalets. I thought the hike up to the ridge over Hidden lake wasn't too bad. The climb down to floral park was the rough part. I didn't have poles so was grabbing vegetation to slow my decent.

[zozeppelin]

Back to the matter at hand, 5 nights later I assume means 4 camping nights. You could do a northern circle, but as you mention that would really be pushing it. Other option would be an ‘out and back’ from Many Glacier (Elizabeth, Cracker, Red Eagle, Poai), or taking it slow on Gunsight Pass, perhaps exploring Jackson/Blackfoot Glacier (no experience but sounds nice). At any rate, put in for the permit lottery and see what you can make of it!

GRN-FIF-GLH/GLF-MAN-REY-SPE
GRN-MAN-REY-GUN-ELL-SPE
GRN-MAN-CRA/ELF/POA-MAN-REY-SPE
GRN-MAN-REY-REF-REY-SPE

I like the Floral Park suggestion, that is top 3 on my list but likely too skittish to attempt solo. I’ll take that craziness and raise it a Red Eagle Pass / Almost a Dog(?) (as-if I’ve ever been there). GRN-MAN-REY-REH-GUN-SPE.

[solohiker5555]

Congrats on nabbing those nights at Granite and Sperry Chalets! In planning some of those more creative itineraries to get from one chalet to the other, keep in mind (and double check with the backcountry permit office on this) there may be restrictions on piecing together trail segments that come out on TH and enter another, all in one itinerary/permit. I believe you could do this coming over Piegan Pass and continuing into Reynolds en route to Gunsight and Ellen Wilson, but it may not be permitted to take the shuttle from the Loop, or coming in from Waterton, etc. As a practical matter, i don't see that Rec.gov would even have the ability to process this all in one permit. But regradless, I'm sure you'll find something that works out great!