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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Plan Your Glacier National Park Trip
As you arrive in our beautiful little airport.
{ We may not be a large airport, but you will find that
getting
here from anywhere is an easy thing to do.}
As you come off the tarmac, you will have your first taste of our lovely
scenery.
The airport walls are covered with murals. Just to let you know,
that you have arrived in an extraordinary spot in America.
No matter where you may be staying, you will enjoy the ride
through our lovely little towns. We are not "big city "
but what you will find is that warm friendly Montana atmosphere.
Rest from your plane ride, and enjoy a hardy dinner at one of our
fine restaurants.
Your vacation has begun, and tomorrow will be the
start of your Glacier National Park experience.
Day 1 & 2
Eat a hearty breakfast and come along with me into sights you
will never forget.
As soon as you enter Glacier National Park
you will be amazed at the scenery.
Off of Hwy 2 just passed Essex at
"Goat Lick",
you will see Mountain goats, and other animals, just off of the
road.
These animals enjoy the minerals coming up through the ground.
Another of our destinations will be the "Lewis
Over Thrust Fault".
The parks most famous Geological sites, will help you to understand
the geological history of our park.
The scenery in Glacier National Park
will take your breath away, with
every turn. You will want to take lots of pictures, so make sure
your
camera is ready to go. Pictures will bring back all glorious
memories
when telling of your trip to others.
When making reservations for your stay, the first two nights
should be spent at Glacier Park Lodge.
This lovely lodge was built in 1912 and 1913, from logs cut from
cedar and Douglas fir trees.
Most of these logs were from trees that were 500 to 800 years of
age.
The lodge is sometimes called "Big Tree Hotel" and is at the foot of
Squaw Peak Mountain.
It is rich in the history and culture of the Great Northern Railway,
and the Blackfeet Indians.
The Lodge with it's beautiful gardens, heated swimming pool,
golf course & reading room shows off the fantastic mountain views.
This will make a fantastic place to stay while exploring for a
couple of days.
In the evening, you may be treated to a Native American fireside
talk.
Day 3
Today we will visit, Two Medicine Valley.
This lovely valley is on the eastern edge of Glacier National Park, and
borders the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The area is rich in Native
American history.
We will leave highway 49 at Two Medicine Junction, and if you feel the
desire for a short easy stroll, lets visit
Running Eagle Falls.
These falls are beautiful and only about 1/3 of a mile off the road.
We soon hear the sound of falling water, and with the help
of a make shift foot bridge, are able to walk up close.
It's a special treat for those who don't mind that "rained on feeling "to
walk in closer. Very tempting for children.
After visiting these falls we will go for a boat ride across Two
Medicine Lake. It's such a treat to sit back and look at the mountains
surrounding us.
Here, we can hike to Appistaki Falls. Another
wonderfully breathtaking
sight, let these sights and sounds sooth away any cares. This area was
considered to be healing by the Native Americans, and certainly does bring
us a "Serenity Feeling". What a great "get away" from the busy world
around us.
As we enjoy Two Medicine Valley,
keep watch for an abundance of wild
life. It's common to see moose, elk, and deer in the meadows. The
grizzlies and black bear, wolves and mountain lions, are more apt to be in the
shady protected areas. You will see Bald Eagles, soaring high in the bright
blue sky and hear their screaming calls. There are many species of birds
who call this lovely valley home, and their songs fill the air with music.
What a wonderful day, in Two Medicine Valley .
Day 4
Today we will travel around
Many Glacier Valley.
Here we will once again be amazed, at the beautiful meadows. The
lush
green forests, and rushing waterfalls.
The area is home to many animals. If you watch closely, you will
spot
both brown and black bear.
Mountain goats
and bighorn sheep stand on the
edge of sharp cliffs, where no man would dare to stand. Elk feed in
the lush
meadows. If it is huckleberry season, you may even see grizzlies
eating
their fill of those sweet and tempting berries, that this valley
produces.
But, be careful, he may want to eat at the same bush you do.
The Many Glacier Hotel, is known around
the world. It was built in 1915
and has a Swiss Chalet design. It is beautifully set on the shores
of
Swift Current Lake with views that name it the
Switzerland of North
America.
This is a perfect place for nature lovers. You may travel by boat
into a
lush wilderness, and hike to see a living glacier. There are 27
glaciers in the park. Or take a walk along the shores of
Lake Josephine,
where you just may see black bears.
Eat your meals in the lovely dining room, of
Many Glaciers Hotel, and
watch the breath taking view of snow capped peaks, that are on the
far side
of the lake.
At the end of the day, you will sleep soundly breathing the fresh
mountain air, flavored with scents of mountain pine.
Day 6
Today we will travel one of the most beautiful roads on earth.
This scenic stretch of road was in the building for 11 years, and
was
completed in 1932. It is known as a National Historic Landmark
(Going to the Sun Road). You will be
delighted by the vision of valleys carved out by glaciers, and lakes
like
mirrors. We will travel up and over the Continental Divide. Stopping
to take pictures of mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and hoary
marmots.
The highlight of this scenic drive will be
Logan Pass. Here the
wildflowers are extraordinary.
We share these views with, the ptarmigan birds, who nest on the
ground, and
maybe a grizzly digging in the earth for glacier lily bulbs. It is
not uncommon to see a herd of elk wandering through field in back of
the visitors center.
Take lots of photos, and take a short walk. To trail here is the
Hidden Lake Outlook trail. The trail is 1.5 miles
and a 460 ft gain in elevation.
Soon we will ride down the other side of the pass toward
Lake McDonald.
Now at
Lake McDonald Lodge,
relax and soak up the atmosphere, in front of
a huge stone fireplace. Here again we are privileged to enjoy the
glorious
views of the mountains.
Lake McDonald Lodge sits in the trees along the
shore of lovely McDonald Lake. We may
use this spot as our "home base " while exploring the western part
of Glacier National Park.
Plan your Glacier National Park trip, written by Verna Parks.
East
Side to West Side Monster Rabbit Hike
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