Sperry 1: Gunsight—Strenuous, Moderate Pace

1100 4th Street So,Great Falls MT 59405

17 August, 2021

Description

For members of the Girls in Glacier hiking group only, as an overnight trip, it is for those who have regularly hiked with the group. The plan: Stay the night before on east side Day one: hike to Sperry going over Gunsight Pass: 13.5 miles, 3500 feet of gain. Faster group may wish to do a side trip to Florence Falls or Lincoln Peak. Day two: hike to Comeau Pass and Sperry Glacier: 8-9 miles with 2000 feet of gain. The glacier has receded and is farther back each year. This is a challenging hike with many ups and down and fun rock scrambling and walking over snow. Day three: hike to Lincoln Peak --about 2 miles and 1,000 feet of gain (or rest) and then hike out to Lake McDonald, 6.5 miles with 3400 feet of loss. Have a late lunch/early dinner at the lodge. Drive home. Costs: Around $300 will be due before Jan. 1 (your leaders will contact you after you sign up). This covers the motel the night before plus half the cost of the chalet, Please note: This deposit is considered non-refundable. Although the chalet only charges $10 to drop as long as it is 30-days before the trip, the group has costs such as your share of the gas and the other half of your hotel room, which isn't refundable after 30 days. If another GiG gal can go in your place and reimburses you, then you wouldn't lose money. Just be aware, two years ago, several gals lost their money. Trip insurance is recommended if this is a hardship. Total estimated costs per person: $300-$350 for chalet; $150 for hotel; $50 gas (need extra cars for shuttling), $50-75 meals coming and going, depending on alcohol and what you order. Lodging The night before, we plan to stay on the east side, Rising Sun, St. Mary or Babb, preferably Rising Sun, which is near the trailhead. Costs aren't cheap. We will expect to pay $250-300 for a room with two beds, each gal her own bed. Those who prefer to save money and share beds, each group can discuss preferences. To read about Sperry Chalet, look at their website. What are the rooms like at Sperry? The rooms have one to three beds, either single or double; maximum in a room is five with two people sharing a bed. We will request two rooms, with each gal having her own bed. There are no bunkbeds at Sperry, just at Granite Park. The office may give us three or four rooms. We do not know for sure what they will give us. Each room has a surcharge, so fewer rooms is cheaper.--and more fun to be together. COVID issues: We all know COVID will not be totally eradicated by the time our trip comes around. Our leaders decided we will be following CDC guidelines, whatever they may be at the time, and if the vaccine is available and has proven to be safe, we will recommend you get one as we are sharing rooms, etc. The Chalet will have rules too. This summer, the use of masks was required and will likely be again this summer. Having a mask for passing people on trail too as the trail is narrow and steep in parts with nowhere to get off it. The leaders reserve the right to cancel if they feel sharing rooms/cars, etc. still isn't safe. In this case, as long as the cancellation is before 30 days, you would lose $10 and maybe some motel costs. Organizers: Beth and Suzie