WCU Catamounts in Montana
September 17 – 22, 2024
Join a select group of Catamount faithful for a trek into “Montana Grizzly Country!”
The WCU Division of Advancement will lead the way, hosting a fun-filled six days,
stretching from Whitefish, Montana / Glacier National Park, to Missoula, Montana –
home of the University of Montana. Our trip will culminate with a Super Saturday
of tailgating and the football game between the Catamounts and the Montana
Grizzlies.
Enjoy a relaxing adventure with fellow Western Carolina supporters that explores Montana’s
unique blend of fascinating stories and stunning landscapes. We’ll strike the perfect blend of a
daily guided program, with free time to enjoy the Big Sky Country as you wish. Our lovely hotels
will be delightful social hubs for our travel group, and we’ll enjoy wonderful excursions and
special group activities throughout the trip. Join Western Carolina friends for this special
opportunity to build “Catamount community” in one of the world’s most inspiring settings!
Trip Highlights:
Ø Multi-night stays throughout the trip; chartered bus transportation
Ø Lovely hotels: The Firebrand Hotel in Whitefish, MT (2 nights) and the DoubleTree
Missoula-Edgewater (3 nights)
Ø A guided program of sightseeing / exploration, led by Explore Up Close, featuring scenic
drives; regional history and natural history; and local art and native crafts
Ø Site visits featuring local experts
Ø Exploration of Glacier National Park: Lake McDonald Lodge; and the famous Red Bus
Tour ’s “Western Alpine Itinerary,” including one of the world’s most jaw-dropping drives,
the Going-to-the-Sun Road
Ø Optional guided fishing experience (includes all equipment and gear)
Ø Our Western Carolina Catamounts vs. the Montana Grizzlies tailgating event + football
game
Trip Itinerary
Tuesday, September 17
Fly into Kalispell, Montana (Kalispell / Glacier National Park Airport); shuttle to the Firebrand
Hotel, Whitefish, MT. It’s a travel day that allows everyone to arrive when they wish, with rest,
relaxation, and Western Carolina friends waiting. Enjoy dinner at your leisure at the hotel
restaurant or in town this evening.
Overnight, The Firebrand Hotel, Whitefish.
Wednesday, September 18
Enjoy breakfast at our hotel.
This morning, our group will travel by chartered coach into the Flathead River Valley, following
the Middle Fork into Glacier National Park. Our destination will be the historic Lake McDonald
Lodge. We’ll arrive in time to enjoy the lovely setting and explore as you wish: Walk to the
pristine lake for an easy walk along the shoreline; enjoy views of the lake and the resident
1930s boat, the DeSmet; take in the rich history and art of the lodge; and have lunch on site.
In the early afternoon, we’ll enjoy a quintessential Glacier National Park experience: a Red Bus
Tour! These specialty tours are operated using refurbished 1930s-Model Ford touring cars, with
National Park driver-guides, and removable tops for optimal views. This narrated drive will take
us along the famed Going to the Sun Road to the Continental Divide. Expect to see glacially-cut
features, waterfalls, and sweeping views – with plenty of stories along the way. In the late
afternoon, we’ll return to Whitefish. This evening, enjoy a group dinner together (included).
Overnight, The Firebrand Hotel, Whitefish.
Thursday, September 19
Enjoy breakfast at our hotel.
This morning we’ll depart Whitefish and make the pleasant drive south to Missoula. En route,
we’ll make two great stops – the first at the Hungry Horse Dam and Visitor Center, just a short
drive from Whitefish. It’s a scenic place – overlooking the Word War II-era dam itself – with
naturalist-guides on hand to answer questions about area flora and fauna; and the specifics of
Hungry Horse Lake and Dam. We’ll then proceed to the western town of Kalispell, where we’ll
visit the Conrad Mansion Museum. Our guided tour of this lovely home and garden will offer
fascinating stories about the settlement and development of the Flathead Valley. Enjoy lunch in
Kalispell and an opportunity to stroll down Main Street.
We’ll resume our journey to Missoula and arrive in the mid-afternoon at the DoubleTree
Missoula Edgewater Hotel. Dinner is at your leisure this evening – relax and enjoy Missoula!
Overnight, the DoubleTree Missoula-Edgewater.
Friday, September 20
Enjoy breakfast at our hotel.
Today is a day to choose your own adventure and explore this beautiful part of Montana, your
way!
Options include:
1.) Join a guided fly-fishing excursion with Missoula Fly Fishing Outfitters. Excursion price:
$335 / person + discretionary tipping of your guide. All levels are welcome; the guides
can tailor the experience to a variety of skill levels. All equipment and lunch included in
this excursion.
2.) Do you prefer local history and scenic drives to fly fishing? Opt in for a guided walking
tour of downtown Missoula with a local guide, followed by lunch and a beautiful drive into
the nearby Clark’s Fork Valley.
3.) Alternately, enjoy a free day to follow your bliss, at your own pace. Book a spa day or
another special local experience; browse the shops, galleries, or a local museum, or
simply rest and relax.
This evening, we’ll enjoy a group dinner (included) – the perfect opportunity to swap stories and
impressions of the day. We’ll relive highlights of our adventures, surrounded by friends.
Saturday, September 21
Start your day with a delicious breakfast in the hotel (or dash down for an early morning dip in
Clark’s Fork, if that’s your gameday tradition). Today will hold a great time celebrating all things
Catamount, with a tailgate experience, co-hosted by our traveling Department of Fun and
Fellowship – the WCU Division of Advancement (details of the tailgate and the game start time
will be announced at a later date). Enjoy a classic in the making: Catamounts vs. Grizzlies on
the gridiron.
Dinner on your own this evening.
Overnight, the DoubleTree Missoula-Edgewater.
Sunday, September 22
Say goodbye to Western Carolina friends and to lovely Missoula. Until we meet again! Shuttle
service by our hotel will be provided to the Missoula Airport.
Trip price:
$4,528 / person (double occupancy; single room supplement, $1,083)
What’s included? Comfortable coach transportation in Montana, with professional driver; driver
gratuity; 5 nights lodging with breakfast in well-situated hotels; three group meals; pre-football
game “tailgate” event; all touring per the itinerary; Explore Up Close guide / concierge service
throughout the trip.
Price does not include airfare to Montana; alcohol; other meals; optional activities such as
guided fly fishing experience; trip insurance (recommended).
Trip registration:
Sign up directly through Explore Up Close at this trip booking page:
https://exploreupclose.checkfront.com/reserve/?item_id=168
More trip details can also be found online here:
https://www.exploreupclose.com/montana/
Payment schedule:
Payment (in full, or optionally $1,000 deposit) due once your trip registration is confirmed.
Final payment deadline: July 23, 2024.
Travelers may pay by credit card or check.
Checks may be made out to Explore Up Close and mailed to:
Explore Up Close
613 Poplar Street
Spartanburg, SC 29302
Refund policy:
Refunds will be granted until July 23, 2024, minus a $100 service fee.
Trip Insurance:
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance, which protects you and your trip investment
in the event that you must cancel or leave the trip unexpectedly. Our travel agent can assist you
in booking trip insurance, or you may prefer to contact a travel insurance provider directly to
request a quote.
Flights:
Travelers will fly into Kalispell, Montana on September 17 and depart from Missoula, Montana
on September 22.
Airfare is not included in the price of the trip, and we encourage travelers to book the flight that
best suits their preferences.
If you need assistance booking your flight, please contact Explore Up Close and we will gladly
put you in contact with our travel agent.
On the day of arrival in Montana (September 17), hotel check-in is available beginning at 4 PM
local time. If you plan to arrive earlier, our hotels will be happy to hold your luggage and will do
their best to accommodate early check-in if your room is available. No official group events are
planned for the day of arrival (September 17), but we will welcome members of our group to
drop in at the hotel bar area for an informal meet and greet with your fellow travelers.
Questions about this trip?
Please contact Caroline Cope Khoury with Explore Up Close:
(864) 384-6947 | [email protected]
