Glacier On My Mind: A Women’s Discovery Expedition (September 13-18, 2026)

Alpine lakes, crisp mornings, and stories written together under Glacier’s early-fall skies — this is Glacier the way it should feel: unrushed, deeply beautiful, and shared with a small circle of women who want real adventure without the chaos. We’ll still start early (because Glacier always rewards early risers), but now we’ll be chasing that honeyed September light across mountain passes — the kind that turns the peaks warm, the water steel-blue, and the whole park quietly cinematic. Think cool air, waterfalls still running strong, and those “is this real life?” overlooks that stop you mid-sentence… only now with that shoulder-season calm that makes everything feel a little more personal.

Our home base is West Glacier area lodging where mornings feel grounded and evenings feel easy — coffee, laughter, simple meals, and real downtime because everything is handled. You’ll experience Glacier classics woven in with heart: a Red Bus day for iconic storytelling and scenery (with that fall light doing its best work), an evening boat ride on Lake McDonald when the water turns glassy and the shoreline feels hushed, and an east-side adventure designed to land you at Logan Pass at a prime time — when the day cools, the crowds thin, and the mountains glow in that quiet, end-of-season way that stays with you.

✨ This trip is built for easy to moderate hiking with flexible options — you can add mileage when you’re feeling strong or choose the scenic version with longer pauses and crisp September moments. Either way, you’ll come home with more than photos: you’ll carry the feeling of Glacier in your chest… and the kind of sisterhood that forms naturally when the pace is human.

🍁 Seasonal Flexibility Disclaimer — September Glacier Trips

September in Glacier National Park is gorgeous…and a little unpredictable. Early snow, cold mornings, rain, wildfire smoke, and seasonal closures can affect road access (including high-elevation areas like the Going-to-the-Sun Road/Logan Pass) and certain activities or services, sometimes with little notice. If conditions shift, some itinerary elements may be adjusted or substituted to ensure safety, comfort, and an excellent guest experience.

Expedition Sisterhood is committed to delivering meaningful, memory-filled days no matter what the mountains decide. If original routes, stops, or timing (like a Red Bus day, a boat ride, or a specific hike) become unavailable, we’ll pivot to equally stunning and enriching alternatives. Days may be re-ordered based on weather, availability, park operations, or group needs.

Please pack with layers in mind and embrace the magic of early fall in Glacier.  Detailed packing lists will be provided in the months/weeks leading up to the trip.

What’s Included:

All meals and snacks from the first pickup to the final drop-off (breakfasts, trail lunches/picnics, and dinners - a mix of local favorites and simple, satisfying food on the go), plus drinks throughout the day (water, coffee/tea as available). Private ground transportation with Christine driving from the first meet-up to final drop-off, listed entrance/parking fees, and hosted itinerary planning + guiding throughout the week. Christine will also capture trip photos throughout the trip, with a shared gallery provided after we return home.

Commercial Use Authorization will be submitted for Glacier National Park as soon as 2026 applications open. While we do not anticipate issues with approvals, we always travel with a solid Plan B - alternate day plans are available if an authorization is not awarded, including working with other approved guides/authorized services when needed so the experience stays seamless.

Not included: Airfare, any lodging/meals before the group pickup on September 13 (unless you have opted for the add-on days, see Travel Details!), personal incidentals, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, and any optional add-on experiences not listed as included.

Note: Itinerary is subject to change based on weather, road conditions, permits/availability, and group needs. All listed meals, entry fees, transfers, and hosted experiences are included unless otherwise noted.

About Your Host & Local Guides:

Christine Baldwin serves as your trip host and retreat-style facilitator, shaping the overall flow of the week, handling logistics, and holding space for connection and reflection while keeping the vibe grounded and real.

We’ll also work with licensed local guides/operators where required or helpful (including our professionally guided Red Bus and Lake McDonald boat experiences). And because Glacier can shift plans with weather, road conditions, or access changes, we always travel with a solid Plan B - alternate day plans are available if conditions change.

🏔️✨ SMALL GROUP EXPERIENCE - max 5 women ✨🏔️
This expedition is for women who want real adventure at a human pace - early starts when it matters, iconic Glacier moments, and a group small enough that everything feels calm and personal (no getting lost in the shuffle). Women only. Shared rooms by default, with limited private upgrades available (lodging will be selected based on the final mix).

A full itinerary and pre-arrival guide will be sent after booking, along with a waiver and guest preference form. All guests must return a signed waiver to finalize participation.

💰 Payment Plan

To reserve your spot, a 20% deposit is collected through WeTravel at checkout. This deposit holds your spot on this small-group experience.

• Deposit (20%) due upon booking (non-refundable after the grace period)

·         The remaining balance will be split into equal monthly payments, due on the 13th of each month, with final payment on August 13, 2026.

• Full terms will be included on your invoice and guest agreement and waivers.

Expedition Sisterhood will always do its best to resell unused spots and issue partial refunds, when possible, should plans change unexpectedly.

🌿 Grace Period

Guests may cancel within 7 calendar days of booking for a full refund, including the deposit - if the waiver and guest agreement have not yet been signed.

Once the waiver is signed or the 7-day window has passed (whichever comes first), the deposit becomes non-refundable, and the cancellation terms below apply.

This grace period ensures you have time to fully review the experience and ask any questions before finalizing your commitment.

❗Cancellation Policy

• The 20% deposit is non-refundable after the grace period.

• Cancellations made more than 30 days before the trip may be eligible for a partial refund based on what has already been paid or reserved on your behalf.

• Cancellations within 30 days of the trip are non-refundable, unless your spot can be filled by another guest.

We believe in transparency and fairness. If you need to cancel, we’ll work with you to resell your spot whenever possible and minimize your financial loss.

Bringing a group of 3 or more women? You’ll receive 10% off your total booking. Email Christine at christine@expeditionsisterhood.com before booking to receive your custom discount code.

Our week begins with group pickup at Glacier Park International Airport (FCA), then we’ll head straight to our West Glacier area lodging to settle in and exhale.

Once everyone’s grounded, we’ll make our first “hello” to Glacier National Park—the kind of first visit that quiets your mind almost immediately.

We’ll walk the Trail of the Cedars and into the Avalanche Creek corridor, choosing distance based on energy and daylight, with plenty of space to pause and take it in.

Back at the house, dinner is a simple, beautiful charcuterie spread—easy, unhurried, and perfect for easing into sisterhood. We’ll turn in early, because tomorrow Glacier asks us to rise with intention.

We’ll start early while the park is still quiet, heading out from our West Glacier home base with soft morning light on our side.

Today centers around Glacier’s iconic Red Bus (“Jammer”) Tour—and once 2026 routes/times are released, we’ll lock in the best-fit option (half-day or full-day) to match the flow of the week.

If we have extra time, we’ll layer in Lake McDonald classics—lakeshore moments, lodge stops, and short viewpoints that feel like “how is this real?” in the best way.

Lunch will be smooth and simple, based on the finalized tour schedule—either packed picnic style and/or a lodge-area option that fits naturally.

Back at the house, we’ll keep the evening easy with taco bar night, then build our trail lunch station for tomorrow so the next early start feels effortless.

Today is an early departure (target 6:30–7:00 AM) as we travel east through Marias Pass, watching the landscape open wide and then fold back into mountains.

We’ll begin in the quieter Two Medicine area, starting gently with Running Eagle Falls—a short, scenic waterfall walk that sets a grounded tone.

From there, we’ll make a meaningful stop at the Museum of the Plains Indian (Browning), adding real depth and context to the land we’re traveling through.

Then we’ll head into Glacier’s east side for the St. Mary waterfall corridor, choosing distance and pace as we hike St. Mary Falls / Virginia Falls / Baring Falls.

We’ll reset with an early dinner at Cattle Baron Supper Club (Babb), then climb toward Logan Pass at prime time—cooler air, thinner crowds, and mountains that glow in that end-of-season way.

If conditions allow, we’ll walk into the Hidden Lake area for a final golden-hour alpine moment before returning to West Glacier for a well-earned exhale.

We’ll leave around 7:00 AM for a “Montana beyond the park” day—cool forest shade, big water energy, and room to breathe.

Our morning begins in the hush of Ross Creek Cedars, where ancient trees and soft light make you slow down without trying.

We’ll wander at a gentle pace, choosing distance as needed and letting the quiet do what it does best.

Then we’ll head to Kootenai Falls for a picnic lunch and that hit of dramatic river scenery that makes you feel small—in a good way. We’ll explore the Kootenai Falls / Swinging Bridge area, keeping it high-reward and as relaxed as you want it to be.

Dinner is at Huck Patch (Hungry Horse) for huckleberry-inspired comfort food, then we’ll head back home for a calm evening and solid rest.

This morning we head up the North Fork, stopping at Polebridge Mercantile for coffee and bakery goodness—the kind of place that feels like a postcard came to life.

From there, we’ll continue to Bowman Lake, where glacier-fed blues and mountain reflections make time feel slower. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch and gentle lakeshore wandering, with a choose-your-distance approach that keeps the day spacious.

Later, we’ll return for an intentionally early dinner at Belton Chalet (4:00 PM), so we can enjoy it without rushing. If timing allows, we’ll add a relaxed Lake McDonald evening walk before our golden-hour finale: the 5:30 PM Lake McDonald scenic boat tour—quiet water, soft light, and the perfect “Glacier On My Mind” sendoff.

Back at the house, we’ll keep the night cozy with downtime, packing space, and farewell reflections.

We’ll share one last breakfast together at our West Glacier lodging—an unhurried final moment before travel mode kicks in.

Then it’s load-up, hugs, last laughs, and the kind of goodbye that already feels like “see you on the next one.” FCA airport drop-offs will be completed before 9:00 AM.

For guests flying out of Missoula (MSO), we’ll depart after FCA drop-offs with a target 12:30 PM arrival—please book flights for 2:30 PM or later.

And when you head home, you’ll carry more than photos—you’ll carry that Glacier air in your chest, and the kind of sisterhood that forms when the pace is human.

This day is available as a paid add-on in the checkout process.

🌄 Early Welcome to the Big Sky (Missoula Arrival Night)
If you’d like a softer landing before Glacier begins, arrive early into Missoula (MSO) and settle in for a calm, easy evening.

You’ll stay at the TownePlace Suites, which offers a free airport shuttle and an easy, low-stress arrival setup.

Dinner is on your own tonight (the only meal not included during the pre-trip add-on), and Christine will share a few walkable local favorites so you can keep it simple and get good rest.

This night is intentionally light — a quiet reset so tomorrow feels grounded and connected from the very first stop.

🦬 Wide Open Montana — A Grounding Day Before Glacier
Christine will pick guests up from TownePlace Suites (Missoula) at 7:30 AM, and we’ll begin with something unexpectedly peaceful: the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas (Arlee) — quiet, beautiful, and the perfect way to start.

From there we’ll head to the CSKT Bison Range for wildlife viewing and classic big-sky Montana scenery, then travel through Dixon for lunch before visiting the historic St. Ignatius Mission.

We’ll make our way north alongside Flathead Lake, watching the landscape shift as we near Glacier country, and arrive at our West Glacier area lodging feeling settled (not rushed).

Dinner is simple but provided — rotisserie chicken, fresh fruit, and vegetables — easy, nourishing, and no fuss as we ease into the main week. This day is available as a paid add-on in the checkout process.