Montana

Thanks so much for info. That is very helpful in planning our trip.

Everyone goes to Yellowstone in July and August. Stay away! I've been going to Yellowstone for nearly 50 years, and my favorite time is mid to late September, and even into October. Usually the weather is sublime: warm days, cool nights (really cool in October), skies a blue you've never seen before and there's apt to be fresh snow on the distant peaks. Late in the fall the color is wonderful, and you're apt to hear elk bugling in the distance. Plus, the crowds are gone. Although you won't find lodgings anywhere close to Harper style, you'll need to stay in or near the park at least one night to enjoy Yellowstone's unsurpassed natural beauty. It's worth the sacrifice. The food's no good in the park either. Instead, fill a cooler with delicacies and a few bottles of good wine, and dine al fresco along the Lamar River or in Hayden Valley. Tell the folks at Triple Creek that you want to spend an evening in the park; they'll understand, and they can suggest the best of what's available.

Triple Creek has become one of my favorite places.  If you like to ride horses, hike, fish, or just enjoy the outdoors, you will not be disappointed.  It is a quiet place and not a destination for loud socializing. The accomodations are wonderful - private, clean, and well maintained, with wonderful amenities.  Service is outstanding - unobstrusive yet accomodating.   The chef is fabulous - we loved the food on our last visit.   We are returning for our third visit later this summer - and can hardly wait!

Thank you. That's exactly what we had in mind. Begin at Glacier National Park, drive down to Bison Refuge on our way to Triple Creek. Appreciate the information.

Hi --

Triple Creek Ranch at Darby is about two hours south of the National Bison Range at Moiese in western Montana, and either one is a long day's drive from Seattle: 540 miles (about eight and a half hours) and 450 miles (seven-plus hours), respectively. The drive, mostly along Interstate 90, is certainly scenic, but it is long.

The route from Triple Creek to the Bison Range goes through Missoula, Mont. Missoula (MSO) has a fine, modern airport served by carriers such as Horizon/Alaska, Delta and United Express, all with several flights daily from Seattle. Delta and Horizon fly comfortable 50- to 80-seat Canadair Regional Jets; Horizon uses 68-seat or 78-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft. All major car rentals are offered in Missoula.

So unless you enjoy long drives, fly into Missoula and rent a car there. The drive to the Bison Range is scenic, with grand views of the 9,000-foot Mission Mountains; you should plan to spend at least an hour or two touring the range itself. If you also intend to visit Glacier National Park (two hours north of the Bison Range or an eight-hour drive from Seattle), an alternate plan would be to fly into Kalispell, Mont. (FCA), where facilities and flight options are equal to Missoula's, and begin your road trip from there.

Hope this helps.

Hello,
While Mr. Harper does not officially recommend any operators in this area focusing on this age group, we can help steer you in the right direction. You might try contacting Glacier Wilderness Guides, which offers both hiking and rafting experiences. The Glacier Institute runs quite a few guided educational experiences in the park as well.
Finally, the discussion board Glacier Park Chat would be a good place to connect with people who have hiked in the park, as would the Glacier Park Chatters Facebook page.
We hope this is helpful!
 
Best Regards,
 
The Travel Office