Gunsight Pass - Three Days in the Backcountry

Months ago, we put in our application for a Glacier National Park backcountry permit. They strictly regulate how many backpackers go into the backcountry and how many camping sights are available and thus you have to either apply for a permit or you can walk in the day before and see what is available.  Not wanting to leave it up to chance if possible, we applied and got our permit. Lake McDonald to the Jackson Glacier Overlook is a 20 mile through hike, with two passes to cross over, including the Continental Divide at about 7,000 feet. We were stopping at two campsites along the way. The Park service has created designated backcountry campsites with food preparation areas, pit toilets and food hanging poles that are located away from your tent sites (a necessity in bear country as bears are attracted to any food smells).  It was a fantastic trip. Here are a couple of pictures of our first day out.

There is a stunning chalet, called Sperry Chalet about 7 miles into the hike.  It sits on top of this ledge and you can see Lake MacDonald in the background.  People hike up, spend the night and hike back out the next day.  Or they take a few days and do some day hikes over to Lake Ellen Wilson or Gunsight Lake. After we spent an hour at the Chalet we started to see our first Mountain Goats.

Our first campsite was Lake Ellen Wilson.  Such a gorgeous little lake with spectacular mountains just coming straight up out of the lake.  Of course more mountain goats along the way.  

Lake Ellen Wilson (Gunsight Pass which intersects with the Continental Divide in the background

Woke up the next morning to something running next to the tent.  Of course, more goats.  

We thought you couldn't pick a more picturesque location for a campsite, 

but we hadn't made it to Gunsight Lake yet.  

Next day, on to Gunsight Lake.