Overview of the Park - History and Entry Fees
Known as the centerpiece to the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem, Glacier National Park (GNP) encompasses over 1 million acres in north central Montana. It is a subset of the rocky mountains and includes over 130 named lakes, hundreds of animal species and thousands of plant varieties. Originally the land of the Blackfeet and Flathead Indian Tribes it was designated a National Park in 1910 at which the Great Northern Railway began to build lodges that today are historical landmarks. It costs $25 per car or $12 per motorcycle to enjoy Glacier for an entire week and is well worth the entry fee to see first hand one of the nations true natural gems. Click here for a link to the GNP official website.
The-Going-To-The-Sun-Road
Road to the SunGlacier National Park, Landscape Going to the sun road
Finished in 1932 the Going-To-The-Sun-Road was an engineering marvel. If this is the only thing you do while at Glacier, well then you have certainly missed a lot BUT you also saw a good summary of what the park holds. The road starts as a nice Sunday drive but after a few miles you begin an increase in elevation and soon you are traversing a path of steep switchbacks, nail biting drop-offs and overhanging cliffs, however all this comes as a gateway to the incredible views. (Note: size restrictions for vehicles are no joke!)
The Summit - Logan Pass
Stairway to HeavenGlacier National Park, Landscape of Hidden Lake boardwalk trail.
The top of THE-GOING-TO-THE-SUN-ROAD is located at Logan Pass, where there is a nice visitor center and a very busy parking lot. It is also the Continental Divide at 6,646 feet of elevation. There are many trails from this point including one that goes up the hillside on a boardwalk to the overview of Hidden Lake. Here you have a good chance at seeing lots of wildlife. Be prepared for a crowd!
Hidden LakeGlacier National Park, Panoramic Landscape of Hidden Lake.
The mountain ranges within Glacier were formed by the Lewis Overthrust and then molded by thousands of years of glacier activity. As glaciers melted and left behind classic U-shaped valleys; lakes formed in the low areas. There are over 700 lakes in GNP. This is a Panoramic of Hidden Lake.
Highline Trail:
HighlineGlacier National Park, Landscape Highline Trail
This trail is actually a 19.5 mile ridge trail that follows what is known as the Garden Wall Ridge along a stretch of the Continental Divide and like many of the trails in Glacier it connects to many other pathways. Out of 734 miles of trails to choose from it is one of the most popular day hikes to do in the park by accessing a 11.6 mile section of it from Logan Pass to the Loop on the Going to the Sun Road. It is recommended to park at a lower parking area, catch a bus to the top and do a one-way trip "downhill" back to the car. Due to the inability to catch a bus ride (too busy) to the top we decided to do the trail "backwards". I highly recommend this and for us it came with many perks - the best of which was ample solitude in an otherwise populated area. A trail I certainly will never forget!
Granite Park Chalet
The Door to Heavens PeakGlacier National Park, Granite Park Chalet doorway with Heavens Peak view.
The Granite Park Chalet was built in 1915 by the Great Northern Railroad and is located in the backcountry along the Highline Trail. There are rooms to rent and a community kitchen. Because of our backwards approach we were the very first visitors for the 2015 season (yes our names are in the guestbook). From Logan Pass it is 7.6 miles to the Chalet.
Glaciers
Grinnell GlacierGlacier National Park, Landscape Grinnell and Salamander Glacier
In the mid 19th century there were still over 150 glaciers in the park, hence it's name sake. Today only 25 remain and by 2030 it is suspected that there will be no more glaciers within the park. Salamander and Grinnell Glaciers (Above) now looks to be not much more than a snow field. This was taken from an overlook 1.2 miles off the Highline Trail and on the ridge of the Continental Divide just before it completely socked in with fog.
Goats and Marmots
GoatlickGlacier National Park, Goat Portrait.
Mountain Goats are nimble creatures that tolerate the harsh climates and terrain of the northern mountains. They can jump up to 12 feet in a single bound and their thick white coats protect them from the elements. Around Logan Pass it is estimated about 100 goats reside at a time, however much about them is unknown. In 2014 collars were placed on a few for a study that is scheduled to continue into Fall of 2016.
Marmot RockGlacier National Park, Marmot
Cute? Yes! Curious? Yes! Want to cuddle it? Yes! Should you? Probably not! What is it?
These adorable little guys are Marmots and they are part of the squirrel family. Known in the grassland as a ground hog these very social critters have learned that humans in the park often have goodies. They like to steal your stuff and have no problem searching through your belongings. Although they are almost impossible to not interact with, park officials discourage it.
The East Side
SwiftcurrentGlacier National Park, Many Glacier and Swiftcurrent Lake
The less visited east side boasts a lodge at the Northern entrance of Many Glacier. The road into Many Glacier was terrible but I would say worth the drive. The above image is of Swiftcurrent Lake and a historic lodge. Both Two Medicine and Many Glacier have quiet and quaint camping, boating and hiking and are much less populated than other areas of the park.
Blue CanoeGlacier National Park, A Canoe Paddles on the lake in the landscape at Two Medicine.
Two Medicine on the southeast side of the park was so quiet it even had room to park in the main lot. Without taking a hike it is not as boastful as the other access points within Glacier. The above image was taken from shore of a couple in a canoe, enjoying a paddle across the lake. Part way into Two Medicine don't forget to stop at the falls... I hear they are very nice. For us it had been a long day and we choose to miss it.
Avalanche Lake
Admiring the TreesGlacier National Park, Landscape at Trail of the Cedars.
The start of this trail first takes you though large old growth cedars on a nature boardwalk and then continues for a 2 mile hike through an ancient forest that takes you up to the lovely Avalanche Lake.
Along the trail you will encounter many different things including a narrow canyon in which the lakes' icy outlet creek carves into the rock.
Avalanche LakeGlacier National Park, Landscape at Avalance Lake
The waters are a lovely color of turquoise from the silt being carried by the waterfalls from the glaciers and snowmelt above. There are over 200 year-round waterfalls in GNP, however, in dry years they can become not much more than a trickle. Most water in Glacier never exceeds 50F which keeps plankton counts low and waters clear. Hike away from the main tourist groups around the back side of the lake and I dare you to take a swim in the deep, icy waters.
The End
Blue ReflectionsGlacier National Park, Landscape on Lake McDonald
I hope you enjoyed some of the images from Glacier National Park. I certainly look forward to going again and would highly recommend the experience to all others! The images included in this blog were taken the first weekend in July, 2015. It was an unseasonably warm year and snowmelt happened early. Check with the park service to find out about road openings, shuttle service and trail access. Within this blog I did not highlight any of the surrounding areas to Glacier and I would recommend taking a few days on each side of the divide to explore the small towns and hidden special communities.
To view more images just click on a photo to take you to the full gallery.
I love comments and if you have any, including other great spots to visit please leave me a message!