When this thread first started and I thought that I could make it I searched for some flights from the east coast (Norfolk, Va.) and discovered that Air Tran flew at least to Las Vegas. I then found that Frontier airlines flew a shuttle, I believe to Billings. As I remember this save a couple hundred dollars or more from pricing some of the other airlines. Just trying to help, bsvirginian
Thanks for the Great Falls idea. It's only about $60 cheaper but I will have to see if that works. Do we know yet what time everyone is expecting to get in? I mean is there a timetable yet? It would help in planning flight times.
I'm sorry guys. I was really expecting Great Falls to be much cheaper. My wife and I travel back there each year, and generally the flights are pretty cheap from Dallas. Of course, I guess is all depends on when you are travelling, and how high the demand is.
Has anyone begun organizing rental cars and car pooling? I'm checking rates and finding between $275 to $325 for an economy size car. Not my favorite size for travel, but from what I read taking on the Going To The Sun Road in anything bigger is asking for trouble. The added cost of a bigger car is also a consideration.
Has anyone driven the Sun Road before? Are the warnings about size of car accurate or hype?
If anyone is organizing, I am flying in to Kalispell on Sept. 24, arriving at 11PM local time. I'd like to hit the road early on Sept. 25 and spend most of the day on the Sun Road, getting in to St. Mary in late afternoon.
I have a 7:00AM flight out of Kalispell on Sept. 30 (thank you Priceline), so I am likely going to rent the car and I'm happy to take anyone back with early flights that day.
I'm sure if you rent a car, you will have passengers. Last shootout, people posted in the transport thread if they were willing to drive, and then others responded. It was that easy.
We drove Going to the Sun Road in 2001 in a Dodge Durango. No problems at all. You cannot take a travel trailer through, but you can take a motorhome. So a car shouldbe fine. My concern is with snow closing the road. Beautiful drive though.
Has anyone begun organizing rental cars and car pooling? I'm checking rates and finding between $275 to $325 for an economy size car. Not my favorite size for travel, but from what I read taking on the Going To The Sun Road in anything bigger is asking for trouble. The added cost of a bigger car is also a consideration.
Has anyone driven the Sun Road before? Are the warnings about size of car accurate or hype?
If anyone is organizing, I am flying in to Kalispell on Sept. 24, arriving at 11PM local time. I'd like to hit the road early on Sept. 25 and spend most of the day on the Sun Road, getting in to St. Mary in late afternoon.
I have a 7:00AM flight out of Kalispell on Sept. 30 (thank you Priceline), so I am likely going to rent the car and I'm happy to take anyone back with early flights that day.
anyone interested in flying in to Billings, MT. Its about 6.5 hours to glacier, but the ticket price is about $200 cheaper than any other locale. Splitting rental car fees would be nice.
I think I'm done doing research on rental cars. It looks like Avis is the best price so far at about $325 for the week, renting out of Kalispell. I am definitely renting because I have a 7AM flight out on 9/30 and doubt anyone else is fool enough to leave as early as I am with a 2+ hour drive across the park.
I get in late on 9/24 (11PM if all works out) and plan to head out of Kalispell between 9AM and 10AM and spend most of the day on the Going To The Sun road.
I'm happy to take on passengers and work out a share price on the rental. PM me if interested.
Im going to bite the bullet and just fly into Kalispell. When are others arriving here, or even in a spot where I might be able to catch a ride. I would hate to rent a car solo just to go 30 something miles.
I want to hit the road by 10AM on Sept. 25 and spend a good few hours driving the Going To The Sun Road. According to Google Maps, that's about an 82 mile drive.
I've already reserved a car. Should have room for 3 more. I rented a compact to keep costs low, so fitting luggage may be a trick.
Also...what hotels are people staying at in Kalispell?
I recall looking at Amtrak, but not being able to find anything...
devbobo, a buddy of mine and I are all taking Amtrak from Seattle to East Glacier Park (30 min. South of St. Mary). We arrive at 10 AM on September 25th.
This is the Amtrak route that goes from Seattle to Chicago via East Glacier Park.
devbobo, a buddy of mine and I are all taking Amtrak from Seattle to East Glacier Park (30 min. South of St. Mary). We arrive at 10 AM on September 25th.
This is the Amtrak route that goes from Seattle to Chicago via East Glacier Park.
$82 one way from Seattle to East Glacier Park, tickets purchased on amtrak.com.
I see, that must be why I didn't see it, I was looking in the totally wrong direction, I live near the colfax station of the California Zephyr line, and was looking at it.
I just rode it to Utah about a month ago, and from my experience, It's an awesome ride! But I did run into the problem that it didn't stay on schedule. It was scheduled to arrive at 5 or 6 in the morning, instead, it didn't arrive until around 9 or 10 o'clock if I remember correctly.
Nonetheless, If you've got the time, it's totally worth it, an excellent experience!
Watch this site and be prepared - the road is scheduled for closure mid September.
ann
Good advice. The roads in the park suffered major damage in November of 2006. They had something like 8 inches of rain in one night, and a lot of the snow melted and washed out the roads and trails. My wife and I were there on the day Going to the Sun opened (July 1st). It is definately rougher than when we were there last year. However, they have done some amazing work in getting everything open.
I think the park service is scheduled to continue repairs to the road in mid September, which is why it may be closed.
I see, that must be why I didn't see it, I was looking in the totally wrong direction, I live near the colfax station of the California Zephyr line, and was looking at it.
I just rode it to Utah about a month ago, and from my experience, It's an awesome ride! But I did run into the problem that it didn't stay on schedule. It was scheduled to arrive at 5 or 6 in the morning, instead, it didn't arrive until around 9 or 10 o'clock if I remember correctly.
Nonetheless, If you've got the time, it's totally worth it, an excellent experience!
A few years ago I did the Coast Starlight from LA to Seattle (30 hours). After that I was hooked, I would take the train everywhere it didn't take so long.
Anyone want to share a room if I came into Kalispell a day earlier? They have some cheapie $50 a night dealies. I dont snore. Just ask dragon or Gluwater they can vouch.
I know that a few people are coming from the bay area. Have you made travel plans yet?
This is Beth (sizam's wife) and we're coming along with a friend from Mt. View. We're going early and flying into Bozeman and going to Yellowstone for a few days then driving up and flying out of Kallispell afterwards.
I havent booked a ticket yet but I could hitch a ride with you all. Where would I fly into? And when is everyone leaving?
I haven't figured out when I'm gettin there yet or figured out rides/rentals cars, but I will try and leave when Sizam leaves (Kallispell on Alaska Airlines at 4:10 that Sunday). I've been finding people, but they're doing some sort of a pre-trip before the big shootout.
Anyone coming in from the bay area via airplane? :-)
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Has anyone driven the Sun Road before? Are the warnings about size of car accurate or hype?
If anyone is organizing, I am flying in to Kalispell on Sept. 24, arriving at 11PM local time. I'd like to hit the road early on Sept. 25 and spend most of the day on the Sun Road, getting in to St. Mary in late afternoon.
I have a 7:00AM flight out of Kalispell on Sept. 30 (thank you Priceline), so I am likely going to rent the car and I'm happy to take anyone back with early flights that day.
My photos
"The future is an illusion, but a damned handy one." - David Allen
I'm sure if you rent a car, you will have passengers. Last shootout, people posted in the transport thread if they were willing to drive, and then others responded. It was that easy.
We drove Going to the Sun Road in 2001 in a Dodge Durango. No problems at all. You cannot take a travel trailer through, but you can take a motorhome. So a car shouldbe fine. My concern is with snow closing the road. Beautiful drive though.
ann
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www.cwphotos.net
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"The future is an illusion, but a damned handy one." - David Allen
I get in late on 9/24 (11PM if all works out) and plan to head out of Kalispell between 9AM and 10AM and spend most of the day on the Going To The Sun road.
I'm happy to take on passengers and work out a share price on the rental. PM me if interested.
My photos
"The future is an illusion, but a damned handy one." - David Allen
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Ariving via NWA into Kalispell on Monday, Sept 24th at 1:15 pm.
Departing Kalispell Sunday, Sept 30th at 2:00 pm.
My Dad is also attending the shoot out this year and has the same flights.
Jeremy
Arrive: Sept. 24, 11:00PM
Depart: Sept. 30, 7:00AM
I want to hit the road by 10AM on Sept. 25 and spend a good few hours driving the Going To The Sun Road. According to Google Maps, that's about an 82 mile drive.
I've already reserved a car. Should have room for 3 more. I rented a compact to keep costs low, so fitting luggage may be a trick.
Also...what hotels are people staying at in Kalispell?
My photos
"The future is an illusion, but a damned handy one." - David Allen
Canon 5D Mk.2/Grip || Canon 7D Backup
17-40 f/4L || 70-200 f/2.8L IS || 100mm f/2.8L Macro || 24-70mm f/2.8L
Wedding Photographer
www.cwphotos.net
Out of curiousity, how are you doing the Amtrak?
I recall looking at Amtrak, but not being able to find anything...
devbobo, a buddy of mine and I are all taking Amtrak from Seattle to East Glacier Park (30 min. South of St. Mary). We arrive at 10 AM on September 25th.
This is the Amtrak route that goes from Seattle to Chicago via East Glacier Park.
This is the story.
$82 one way from Seattle to East Glacier Park, tickets purchased on amtrak.com.
initialphotography.smugmug.com
"The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera" - Dorothea Lange
I am planning to rent a car. I would be more than happy to hang around the airport waiting for others so as to car-pool to the hotel.
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Watch this site and be prepared - the road is scheduled for closure mid September.
ann
My Galleries My Photography BLOG
Ramblings About Me
I'll keep an eye out. The guide I bought says the road is typically open through mid-October. Fingers-crossed.
My photos
"The future is an illusion, but a damned handy one." - David Allen
I see, that must be why I didn't see it, I was looking in the totally wrong direction, I live near the colfax station of the California Zephyr line, and was looking at it.
I just rode it to Utah about a month ago, and from my experience, It's an awesome ride! But I did run into the problem that it didn't stay on schedule. It was scheduled to arrive at 5 or 6 in the morning, instead, it didn't arrive until around 9 or 10 o'clock if I remember correctly.
Nonetheless, If you've got the time, it's totally worth it, an excellent experience!
Good advice. The roads in the park suffered major damage in November of 2006. They had something like 8 inches of rain in one night, and a lot of the snow melted and washed out the roads and trails. My wife and I were there on the day Going to the Sun opened (July 1st). It is definately rougher than when we were there last year. However, they have done some amazing work in getting everything open.
I think the park service is scheduled to continue repairs to the road in mid September, which is why it may be closed.
James
Langford Photography
http://www.langfordphotography.com
james@langfordphotography.com
initialphotography.smugmug.com
"The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera" - Dorothea Lange
Canon 5D Mk.2/Grip || Canon 7D Backup
17-40 f/4L || 70-200 f/2.8L IS || 100mm f/2.8L Macro || 24-70mm f/2.8L
Wedding Photographer
www.cwphotos.net
This is Beth (sizam's wife) and we're coming along with a friend from Mt. View. We're going early and flying into Bozeman and going to Yellowstone for a few days then driving up and flying out of Kallispell afterwards.
Ben
I havent booked a ticket yet but I could hitch a ride with you all. Where would I fly into? And when is everyone leaving?
Canon 5D Mk.2/Grip || Canon 7D Backup
17-40 f/4L || 70-200 f/2.8L IS || 100mm f/2.8L Macro || 24-70mm f/2.8L
Wedding Photographer
www.cwphotos.net
I haven't figured out when I'm gettin there yet or figured out rides/rentals cars, but I will try and leave when Sizam leaves (Kallispell on Alaska Airlines at 4:10 that Sunday). I've been finding people, but they're doing some sort of a pre-trip before the big shootout.
Anyone coming in from the bay area via airplane? :-)
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?p=609439#post609439
Please go there and post details.
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