Top Places to See
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Glacier National Park
Pictures and Slideshows
Park Map
Lodges and Chalets
In Glacier Park
Camp Grounds
In Glacier National Park
St. Mary's Area
See Map Here
McDonalds 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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History Of Glacier National Park
The Blackfeet Indians, lived in what was called
"The Backbone Of The
World", long before any white man started exploring the Rocky
Mountains.
These Native Americans, were very protective of their beloved and
sacred
lands. The buffalo hunting grounds fed their people, and other more
southern tribes were driven out if possible. The passes through
these
mountains were used for their hunting expeditions, and to chase away
unwelcome neighbors.
Native American beliefs are
strong in their love of all forms of
creation. They are taught that all animals and birds have a voice to
speak with, if we would only listen. The earth, sky, and weather
give
them lessons to live by. The mountains have a special meaning to
Native
Americans, in that, they feel they draw wisdom and knowledge from
them.
Chief Mountain in the northeast corner of Glacier is a very special
area
with history.
This beautiful mountain stands alone in a prairie away from the
other
mountains. It has been described as a Warrior Chief, leading his
tribe
toward the rising sun. Still to this day, this mountain is visited
by
the Plains Indians for vision quests and Prayer ceremonies.
The first white man to see this beautiful place, may have been Hugh
Monroe, a fur trapper. The Indians named him Rising Wolf. He came in
about 1815 and was soon married to an Indian girl from the Piegan
Tribe.
Father De Smet came in 1846 and named two mountain lakes
St. Mary's.
For many years, the search was on to find a passage through the
Continental Divide. The idea was to run a railroad over the Rockies.
Native Americans knew about Marias Pass but were not willing to
share this
information. Marias is the lowest pass between Canada and Mexico,
and would
be the ideal route. History now tell us that it was finally
discovered in 1889.
The Great Northern
Railroad was completed in 1892. This rail way around the Park was to
be
used by many tourists.
In 1895 a trail was built from Belton to Lake Mc Donald. A steamboat
was brought to the lake and the beautiful Lodge was built. In 1895
it was
thought that there were valuable minerals in the area we now know as
Glacier National Park. The federal Government bought the land from
the
Blackfeet Indians, and later discovered there were no minerals to be
found,
so the land was made a National Park by congress.
Today, Glacier National Park is known around the world as an
outstanding
vacation site, with activities for all ages. There is hiking and
bicycling, skiing, boating, camping, and horseback riding for those
who can be
more active. For those who are not as able, the views are stunning
from
the "big red busses" and from the many
excellent Lodges and Chalets.
Glacier National Park is known as a "World Heritage Site" with
natural
majestic beauty. It's beautiful lakes are calming, and show the
picture
of snow capped mountains high above. You can walk along the Sun
Point
Nature Trail a mile each way, by following the shore line in St.
Mary's
valley. St. Mary's Lake is a vision to behold. Be sure to buy a
brochure
for 50 cents at the trailhead on the lakes north side. This is about
halfway between Logan Pass and St. Mary's Visitor Center. This
Visitor
Center is an interesting informative place to be. It's windows show
beautiful views and the walls have maps to show you the peaks and
valleys.
Park Rangers will answer any questions you may have and they show a
slide
show every evening at 8: P.M. Blackfoot Indians host a time of
dancing and
drumming, once a week. Don't miss it! There is only one larger lake
than
St. Mary's in Glacier National Park, which is
Lake McDonald.
St. Mary's Lake is located on the East side of the park. The famous
"Going To The
Sun Road " runs parallel to it's north shore. The lake is
seven miles long and hundreds of feet deep. Being so high up and so
deep,
means it can freeze up to several feet thick of ice in the winter.
The
altitude is 4,484 feet and these lake waters are extremely cold. St.
Mary's
Lake sits 1,500 feet higher than Lake Mc Donald
(The largest lake in
the park) which is on the west side of the Continental
Divide.
History Of Glacier National Park written by, Verna Parks.
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