Getting into rmnp before they start charging

It has been a few years since I've climbed in the park. If I go before a certain time, can I park at glacier gorge TH without paying or getting a timed permit?

What time would that be, 6 am? 7?

https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/timed-entry-permit-system.htm 

I read that link before. It didn't answer my question, because they seem to say you need park access + timed entry after 5 am? But elsewhere they say 9 am.

It used to be you could go early enough and just get in. Is that a thing anymore?

"Park Access+ Timed Entry Permits include access to destinations located along the Bear Lake Road Corridor, as well as all other areas of Rocky Mountain National Park. These timed entry permits are required to enter the Bear Lake Road Corridor between the hours of 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. MDT."

It does answer your question.  There are two timed-entry options depending on where you want to go.  The options are called "Park Access" (9am - 2pm) and Park Access Plus" (5am - 6pm) and there is a map showing what they cover.  So depending on where you want to go, you either need to get in before 5am or before 9am to avoid timed entry restriction.

Thanks. I guess I'm going before 5 am to get to the petite. Wouldn't mind paying for a timed entry/reservation but they are all booked.

David Appelhans wrote:

Thanks. I guess I'm going before 5 am to get to the petite. Wouldn't mind paying for a timed entry/reservation but they are all booked.

Just an FYI in case you plan to bivy. If you have a bivy permit, it allows you to enter anytime during that day; it automatically includes a timed entry permit. Or at least it worked that way last season. 

David Appelhans wrote:

Thanks. I guess I'm going before 5 am to get to the petite. Wouldn't mind paying for a timed entry/reservation but they are all booked.

They release a second batch of permits the night before at 5pm. If you already have your cc info on rec.gov and are ready at 5pm, you shouldn't have trouble getting a 5-7am permit.

On a nice weekend day the GG lot can already be full at 5am but bear lake is bigger and might not be full until 7ish.

Israel R wrote: <snip>

On a nice weekend day the GG lot can already be full at 5am but bear lake is bigger and might not be full until 7ish.

I did Hallett about a month ago. We saw no open spots at GG at ~4:20 on our way to the Bear Lake lot. The Bear Lake lot was about half full at 4:30.

Glacier gorge is 3am parking on weekends. 

The GG lot was 3/4 full at 4:50 am, and I have understood from this thread this was a "slow" day. There is no reason we would have had to be there that early, except for the size of the lots. There is plenty of terrain for everyone to spread out, if they could only find a place to park.

I hope NPS are planning on building a bigger lot--it is ridiculous that you need to show up at 4 am not to beat weather, but to beat other people to parking spots. That is a solvable problem (unlike the weather).

David Appelhans wrote:

The GG lot was 3/4 full at 4:50 am, and I have understood from this thread this was a "slow" day. There is no reason we would have had to be there that early, except for the size of the lots. There is plenty of terrain for everyone to spread out, if they could only find a place to park.

I hope NPS are planning on building a bigger lot--it is ridiculous that you need to show up at 4 am not to beat weather, but to beat other people to parking spots. That is a solvable problem (unlike the weather).

it really isn't a big deal to hike from Bear Lake instead of GG. To be precise, it adds 0.27 miles, 108 feet of elevation gain round trip.

I've never seen Bear Lake fill before 5am. Most often, you need to be starting before 5am to get your objective done before the afternoon storms anyways. (except for the occasional clear day, in which case, too bad so sad, compete with everyone else who wants to get in between 5-7am.)