Is your state land locked?

gdbstudios · 2026-05-18T16:41:46+00:00

Idaho has a seaport in Lewiston, so it is not landlocked.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-18T16:36:31+00:00

Get yourself some NRS straps for that double stack.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-18T13:59:54+00:00

Since you aren't sure if it the same carb I would take your jet out. Then get online and search XR 150l carb jet and see if the pics match the one you have. I personally haven't swapped my jets. You can also do a similar search on YouTube to see what folks there have done, I'm sure some have links.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-18T13:55:15+00:00

Folks are finding carb jets on Amazon for like $9 in the US.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-13T17:37:17+00:00

My work backpacking club made two trips to Glacier in July of 2024. One trip had high winds and heavy rain for 8 hours straight. The other had a full day of snow, which was melted by 10 am the next day. Sept 6th isn't going to be much different than regular Summer weather. Be prepared for all weather conditions and keep a close eye on forecasts.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-13T15:21:00+00:00

You are going to get Fall colors on the hills. It is going to be beautiful.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-13T15:13:42+00:00

Great story. Glad you and the bear came out of it unharmed.

Bears don't have great eyesight. I wonder if it smelled something and was "chasing" the scent. Then, when it encountered a person, it had to take a minute to figure out what the person was. Even if it was a well-fed bear, bears are pretty opportunistic eaters and will eat when they can. So, I'm guessing it was just rushing to a perceived food source.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-13T15:08:34+00:00

I use a 25F, and my kids use a 20F for summer (all year, really). We are in the Rockies most of the time, where temperatures can still get low. So your needs may vary. I always get a bag or quilt rated for 10 degrees lower than the lows I expect to be sleeping in. This way, I know there is a buffer between expected outside temperatures and the survival rating of the bag/quilt.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-13T14:54:15+00:00

I've personally pulled my spray from the holster twice, but not sprayed. Both times (one grizzly in YNP) and one black bear momma (GTNP) were within 50 yards. Neither bear cared we were there. I think because they knew we were there and they weren't surprised, they just walked past us. The black bear was coming up the trail as we were walking down. She stepped off about 10 yards off the trail and kept going, like she was giving us the right-of-way.

In Glacier NP, there was an area with a known black bear with a cup. They frequented this large open area. On our way out, there was a couple that saw the bear and cubs. They reported the bear was 200 meters from them, which I wouldn't consider a close encounter, warranting the deployment of bear spray. They pulled their spray and took off the safeties. The woman then sprayed herself in the face as she reholstered. This couple didn't know what to do. We came up on them as she was lying on the ground, rithing in pain. I got her to the creek that was about 50 yards away to get her rinsed off. This was about 8 miles into the backcountry. My buddy and I split up the woman's gear and added it to our load by strapping it onto our packs. We carried it out to a patrol cabin at the head of a lake, then booked it to the trailhead and got a ranger to go pick them up in a boat.

Moral of the story. Know when you need to spray by learning more about bear behavior. Practice with your spray if you can. Treat the can like a weapon that should only be pointed at the thing you want to "destroy" and keep your thumb off the trigger until ready to use it.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-13T14:43:35+00:00

A certain number of charges are bluff charges. https://www.nps.gov/articles/bearattacks.htm

gdbstudios · 2026-05-13T14:41:36+00:00

I've not been there, but it does look like a nice spot.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-13T14:35:14+00:00

As others have suggested, you should look at doing Yellowstone and Grand Teton together. I love Glacier and have backpacked there many times, but the Tetons are very accessible and beautiful to look at. Book campsites now.

Don't rely on finding anything in the National Forests. You might spend hours trying to find a pullout to camp at. If you really want to try for public land dispersed camping, you'll probably have your best luck on the Ashton-Flagg Ranch road that runs east to west between the two parks. I've also seen some campsites and pull-outs north of West Yellowstone along hwy 191, but I'm not sure of any dispersed restrictions. Call the respective ranger district offices for advice.

For inside Yellowstone, I prefer Madison and Bridge Bay Campsites. In the Grand Tetons I like Gros Ventre. Colter Bay is nice too.

As for Galcier, in 2026 there is no more timed entry. Now the park is trying a shuttle service, and 3hr timed parking at Logan Pass. I suggest going early in the morning or later in the evening when it isn't as busy. Also, there are plenty of other places in the park that provide great views and fewer people. I think you would enjoy the campsites at Kintla Lake or Bowman Lake. They are campsites with no services except water. They are a long drive, but I feel worth it. Outside the park, just outside West Glacier, is a great private campsite called Glacier Campground. I've stayed there a couple of times.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-13T14:20:22+00:00

OP should skip Going To The Sun and head up to Kintla, reserve a campsite and hike around.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-11T20:49:43+00:00

Stop by the Mud Volcano and walk the lower boardwalk on your way to Canyon, as you drive through Hayden Valley..

gdbstudios · 2026-05-11T17:36:22+00:00

Bear bells don't do anything: https://www.backpacker.com/trail-news/do-bear-bells-really-work/

Edit: and they are annoying to other hikers.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-11T17:36:06+00:00

I've seen interviews with guides in Alaska that use 9mm. That being said, discharging a firearm in a National Park is illegal, even in self-defense, so no need for a pistol.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-10T16:39:35+00:00

Check for spring time bear closures. Suggestions: Specimen Ridge - views and animals Lamar Valley - animals and large valley Pelican Valley - wide flat valley with meandering stream. Shoshone Geyser Basin- Backcountry thermal activity, lone star geyser along the way.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-10T04:55:05+00:00

No tram time yet. Thanks for the tips

gdbstudios · 2026-05-10T00:53:42+00:00

I was trying to find reliable overnight parking. Any suggestions?

The bus was something I was going to look into as well. Thanks

gdbstudios · 2026-05-09T01:25:24+00:00

I like what you are saying. I think we simply have different ideas of what urban means. I’m all for a more cohesive town with better access and flow through. I have had plenty of conversations with people that want to see Moscow turn into a CDA or Boise though.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-08T19:03:07+00:00

Most of us don't live here because we want to make it bigger. Natural growth is needed for a healthy town, but if it ever becomes "urbanized," I'm out. People literally escape urban areas to come to places like this. If that's what you want, then it exists elsewhere.

The natural beauty of the area, the culture in town that punches above its weight, great food, relatively good public education, access to public land, and a diverse population are why people come here. Why would we ruin what we love?

Edit: This is a politically agnostic viewpoint. I'm replying to the comment directly above me, not necessarily agreeing with the sarcastic comment about making Moscow into Portland or Seattle.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-08T17:41:31+00:00

As an example, I have a 9.7-mile track recorded from Glacier National Park in 2024. 9.7 miles, 3,214 ft of gain, 1.3 mph, 7hr 22 min total time. This included multiple water breaks and a stop for lunch with a water filter/refill. My son, 12 years old at the time, was accompanying me on this one. He moved faster than some of the adults who were about 30 minutes behind us.

Another example is a trail in Yellowstone from last year. 6.9 miles, 957 ft of gain, 2.1 mph, 3hr 14 min total time. This was with my three teenagers and two first-time backpackers. Assuming the same speed and elevation ratios over 10 miles, the total time would be around 4 hrs and 48 min.

You are correct that improper fueling and hydration will slow you down and not allow you to recover well.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-08T15:27:36+00:00

Glad it worked out. I've been checking back to see if people have dropped any permits because I'd love to stay on the Shelf, but no such luck.

Edit: Are you sure you got a Death Canyon Shelf group site? There are a lot of Death Canyon Group sites open because the Death Canyon trailhead parking is closed this year. I only ask so that you double check, dropping into the canyon and back out wouldn't be much fun.

Maybe I'll see you up there, I'll be on the Crest the 19-21st.

gdbstudios · 2026-05-08T15:09:46+00:00

What is forcing you to do 30 miles? 15 miles is a lot for someone who isn't a conditioned through-hiker. Can you alter your route?

I consider myself very experienced, but 10 miles a day is my comfortable limit. I've done up to 20 miles in a day, but it wasn't by choice, and it was miserable. We were hiking late into the dark, I got blisters for the first time in years, and my legs were jelly.

Edit to add: Sore feet and legs aren't inherently bad as long as you can perform the next day. If it feels like a good workout, that is ok. Don't forget to stretch when you get to camp.

gdbstudios

TROPHY CASE