Glacier National Park

"The Blackfeet Indians called this land "the Backbone of the World" -- and there is no question that, for the two million people who visit this park each year, Glacier connects us to the very core of our nature. It's a place where stunning summits overlook a million acres of wilderness; where the most rugged rock formations rub against meadows of beargrass blossoms; where grizzly bear,
 and elk, and bighorn sheep roam free."

Vice President Al Gore

 

Driving the Going to the Sun Road

Glacier National Park boasts some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. The park preserves more than a million acres of forests, alpine meadows, lakes, rugged peaks and glacial-carved valleys in the Northern Rocky Mountains. Glacier Park’s diverse habitats are home to over 70 species of mammals including the grizzly bear, wolverine, gray wolf and lynx. Over 260 species of birds visit or reside in the park, including such varied species as harlequin ducks, dippers and golden eagles.

There are bears in Glacier NP

My husband and I visited the park in 2010.  We were on a 6 week trip which took us to Washington to our annual visit to our cabin and family and friends.  From there we drove into Canada to visit Lake Louise and the Banff area.  On our way home we decided to drive through Glacier National Park on our way south.  We had our dogs with us, as we always do on our annual trips, so with them we are limited on what we can do when we visit a national park.  They are allowed into all the national parks, but they have limited access, usually having to stay off of all hiking trails.  So we knew that when we visited Glacier that we would probably be driving the “Going to the Sun” Highway with stops at lookout points to see the views.  Since it was at the end of the trip and we were getting anxious to get home, we made do with that.  If you are going to Glacier National Park you may want to spend more time in the park and actually do some hiking and spend a few days exploring.  The park has some beautiful scenery and lots of things you can do.

 

When we were driving on the Going to the Sun Highway we did see a bear cub.  We were at a fairly high elevation.  There was road work being done that day and we were stopped waiting for the cars to come through from the other direction, as the road was only one lane through that area.  As we were waiting, a young bear cub came up the incline below us and passed across the road and headed on up the hill.  When it crossed the road it crossed right in front of a couple that were sitting on a motorcylce.  They almost could have reached out and petted it, but I think they were a little startled.  They may also have been wondering where the mother bear was, and if she was coming across next, but we never saw her. 

 

River just as we entered the park

Glacier National Park is on the border of Montana and Alberta, Canada.  The park borders Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada and the two parks are known as the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.  They were designated as the world’s first International Peace Park and in 1995 they became World Heritage sites.  If you are thinking of visiting Glacier National Park you may want to also visit Waterton Lakes, but remember it is in Canada and you will need a passport to cross the border.   For this posting I am only going to talk about Glacier, as we did not visit Waterton.

 

Glacier National Park is visited by approximately two million visitors each year.  There are many different facilities and attractions in the park, so there is something to interest everyone. The average visitor spends three to four days in the area, although you easily could fill a week with activities in the park. Listed below are some suggestions based on length of stay. Whatever you chose to do, remember to take some time to relax and enjoy your time in the park.

 

Logan Pass is on the Going to the Sun Road
There is a visitor center at the top of the pass

The Going-to-the-Sun Road is probably the most popular area of the park, and the most visited.  The road was completed in 1932 and is a spectacular 50 mile, paved two-lane highway that bisects the park east and west. It spans the width of Glacier National Park, crossing the Continental Divide at 6,646-foot-high Logan Pass. It passes through almost every type of terrain in the park, from large glacial lakes and cedar forests in the lower valleys to windswept alpine tundra atop the pass. Scenic viewpoints and pullouts line the road, so motorists can stop for extended views and photo opportunities. The road is well worth traveling in either direction, as the view from one side of the road is much different than from the other. In 1983 Going-To-The-Sun Road was included in the National Register of Historic Places and in 1985 was made a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.


If you have only one day, then it is recommended that you do the following things:

View from the Going to the Sun Rd

•Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
•Participate in a ranger-led talk or walk.
•Investigate the Discovery Cabin in Apgar Village, where you can learn about plants and animals and how the park manages these resources.

If you have multiple days to spend in the park then you can do any of the following things, depending on what appeals to you:

 •Take a backpacking trip deep within Glacier's wild interior.
•Hike through forests and up mountains on over 700 miles of hiking trails.
•Camp at any one of the 13 front-country campgrounds.
•Take a boat cruise to learn about geology, park history, and much more.
•Take a guided horseback trip inside the park where you can explore historic and contemporary routes.
 •Tour the Going-to-the-Sun Road in a Red Bus or learn all about the Blackfeet Indian culture in comfortable motor coaches.
 •Attend ranger-led walks, talks, hikes, and amphitheater programs throughout your stay. Programs run from early June to early September.



Birdwoman Falls on the
Going to the Sun Rd.

The weather will certainly be a factor to when you go.  Remember that winter is very harsh in northern Montana.  Although technically the park is open all year, it is limited as to what roads will be open due to weather conditions.  The popular “Going to the Sun” Road is only open from mid-June to mid-September.  Also, most of the park facilities are not open during fall and winter.  There are some winter activities available during the winter months, but the majority of visitors visit during the summer months.

 

The lodges and inns located throughout Glacier National Park provide a range of accommodations. Visitors may chose from rooms in historic grand hotels dating back to the early 1900's, modern motel type accommodations, rustic cabins, or historic backcountry chalets. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Rooms book up fast, especially for the peak months of July and August.

 

Picture of Lake McDonald Lodge and
the famous Red Bus cars you can tour in.

There are 3 lodges inside the park.  Lake McDonald Lodge is situated on the shores of Lake McDonald, this lodge offers a peaceful setting, beautiful views, and comfortable accomodations.  Many Glacier Resort is located on Swiftcurrent Lake and offers breathtaking views and unique Swiss themed accomodations.  The Village Inn at Apgar also sits on Lake McDonald. The inn is popular with families because of it's kitchenetts and two-room units.

 

There are 13 different campgrounds and approximately 1,009 sites to choose from, if camping is your thing.  You can enjoy the crackling of a campfire and sleep under the stars in Glacier National Park.   Most of the campgrounds are on a first come basis, with the exception being Fish Creek, St. Mary and half of the group sites in Apgar. These camp sites can be reserved in advance.  The cost for camping ranges from $10 to $23 per night.

 

For more informations go to the Glacier National Park page at http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm



Lake McDonald in Glacier Natrional Park