Top Places to See
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Glacier National Park
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Lodges and Chalets
In Glacier Park
Camp Grounds
In Glacier National Park
St. Mary's Area
See Map Here
McDonald Area
See Map Here
North Fork Area
Southern Boundary
Area
Two Medicine Area
Logan Pass Area
Many Glacier Area
See Map Here
Trail of the Cedars
Avalanche Area
Cut Bank Area
Chief Mountain
Goat Haunt Area
See Map Here
Services Available
In Glacier Park
Wintering In
Glacier National Park
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Glacier National Park Vision of the Past
Many many years ago, long before this beautiful peaceful place was
called Glacier National Park, the Blackfeet Indians lived here and
called this home.
As I sit here resting on a log, I look out across Avalanche Creek,
and think about the past.
My thoughts go back to the time when the Indians lived here and
loved this wonderful, wild area. This was not only where they built
their homes of lodge pole pine and animal pelts, but these
forests and meadows were where they hunted for their food. If I let
my imagination go, I can almost see the braves walking silently
through these trees, looking for meat to feed their families. I
think of the young girls hunting for berries and eatable roots and
bulbs. Maybe they were looking for the plants that were used in
making medicines. I feel they were a contented people in spite of
their hardships.
At this time of year, " Spirit Maiden of Fall " slowly touches her
finger tips to the leaves and changes the scene from green to
colors, and puts a chill in the air. The Indian maidens must hurry
before the silent snow flakes start to fall. " Father sky " shows
grey clouds over the mountain tops. If I think about it, I can
almost smell the strips of buffalo meat being smoked for winter
stores.
A little squirrel is earnestly hunting for nuts, before the humans
can find them. All are preparing for the long cold winter, while the
big bear will sleep unconcerned in his cave.
These mountains and waters had a special meaning to the Native
Americans. They appreciated and loved this beautiful land. They felt
that everything in Nature talked to them. Maybe we should take
a lesson from them, and appreciate the gifts of Nature more.
Well, enough of my dreaming. This hike over " The Trail of the
Cedars ", starts just east of Avalanche Creek Campground and is an
easy hike. You begin along a boardwalk, then it turns into a
footpath after we cross Avalanche Creek. It would only take about an
hour, unless you stop and dream awhile like I do. This hike takes us
thru a lovely grove of red cedar trees which are probably more than
350 years of age. Some of the trees along the way are mountain
hemlock. You pass many groups of lacy ferns also.
Avalanche Creek is a swift rushing creek, with blue green pools that
will show off the red argillite rocks.
Soon you will come to a paved footpath, where you can once again sit
and watch this beautiful creek splash and tumble.
I must advise that anyone who loves nature, take this beautiful hike
along the Trail Of The Cedars.
But look out you may become addicted to all of this beauty.
Vision of the past in Glacier Park by Verna Parks.
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