The trip should not be ruined by attempting too much. An average of 2 or 3 miles per hour is good hiking time in the rough park country. One thousand feet of climb per hour is satisfactory progress over average trails. In this rugged country hikes of 15 miles or more should be attempted only by those who are accustomed to long, hard trips. An attempt at mountain climbing or "stunts" should not be made alone unless one is thoroughly acquainted with the nature of Glacier's mountains and weather. Too often "stunts" result in serious body injuries, or even death, as well as much arduous work for rangers and others. Hikers should consult a ranger naturalist or information ranger before venturing on a hazardous, novel, or new undertaking. No one but an experienced mountaineer should attempt to spend a night in the open. Shelter cabins, for free use by parties overtaken by a storm, have been erected by the Government on Indian, Piegan, and Gunsight Passes. They are equipped with flagstone floors, stoves, and a limited supply of fuel wood. Mountain etiquette demands that they not be left in a disorderly state, that no more fuel be consumed than is absolutely necessary, and that their privileges and advantages not be abused.
Shelter is not available in some of the most beautiful sections of the park. To those who are sufficiently sturdy to pack blankets, cooking utensils, and provisions, and are sufficiently versed in woodcraft to take care of themselves overnight, Glacier presents wonderful opportunities. Provisions can be purchased at Glacier Park Station, Belton, and at any hotel or chalet in the park. For fire prevention, it is unlawful to build campfires (or fires of any kind) except at designated places. The location of these sites can be ascertained from park rangers. Unless one is an experienced mountaineer and thoroughly familiar with the park, it is unwise to go far from the regular trails alone. He should not scorn the services of a guide on such trips. Above all, he should not attempt to hike across country from one trail to another. The many sheer cliffs make this extremely dangerous.
If one is a veteran mountaineer and plans to climb peaks or explore trackless country, he should take the precaution to leave an outline of his plans at his hotel, chalet, or camp, giving especially the time he expects to return or reach his next stopping place.
At each ranger station, hotel, chalet, and permanent camp in the park will be found a "Hiker's Register" book. Everyone is urged for his own protection to make use of these registers, entering briefly his name, home address, time of departure, plans, and probability of taking side trips or of changing plans. The hotel clerk should be informed of these at the time of departure. If a ranger is not there, this information should be entered in the register which will be found near the door outside the building, so that when the ranger returns he can report it to the next station or to headquarters. These precautions are to protect the park visitor. In case of injury or loss, rangers will immediately investigate.
In planning hiking trips, the following should also be taken into consideration: At higher elevations one sunburns easily and painfully because of the rarity of the atmosphere and intense brightness of the sun. Hikers should include in their kits amber goggles and cold cream for glacier and high mountain trips.
Footwear is most important. A hike should not be started with shoes or boots that have not been thoroughly broken in. Because feet swell greatly on a long trip, hiking shoes should be at least a half size larger than street shoes. They need not be heavy, awkward shoes—in fact, light shoes are much easier on the feet. Most people are made uncomfortable by high-top boots or shoes which retard the circulation of the calves. Six-or eight-inch tops are sufficient. Soles should be flexible, preferably of some composition which is not slippery when wet. Crepe soles are excellent for mountain climbing and for fishing. Hobnailed shoes are necessary only for grassy slopes or cross-country work. Hungarian nails are much to be preferred to hobs, and only a light studding of soles and heels is most effective. White silk socks should be worn next to the feet, a pair of heavy wool (German) socks over them. Soaking the feet daily in salt or alum solution toughens them. On a hike the feet should be bathed in cold water whenever possible.
Hiking trips with ranger naturalists are described under that service. There are many interesting short side trips from all hotels, chalets, and camps. Short self-guiding trails upon which interesting objects of natural history are fittingly labeled have been established at the following places:
1. Around Swiftcurrent Lake (2-1/2 miles).
2. From Lake McDonald Hotel to Fish Lake (2 miles).