From Missoula, Montana we headed north to Glacier National Park. The rugged snow capped mountains straddling the continental divide were breathtaking. The drive from Missoula was scenic, especially the road around Flathead Lake. Kalispell had a Costco. We had to go easy on the fresh supplies since our next destination would be Canada, so fresh vegetables and fruits, meat, dairy products, poultry and alcohol are restricted.
Glacier National Park
The Park encompasses over 1 million acres in northern Montana and borders Canada and the United States. The two parks are called the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.
Even though it was mid July and temperatures in the high 80s when we visited, the spring wildflowers were abundant.
Going to the Sun
The Going to the Sun road traverses between West and East Glacier and was a beautiful drive.
It can be very crowded and slow going. One day we left at 06:30 am, which was significantly better in avoiding crowds and being able to park. The road was completed in 1932 and is 50 miles long. It cuts though every terrain in the park.
The Going to the Sun road has stunning vistas, wildlife, waterfalls and can be narrow at times. It crosses Logan pass at 6,646 ft.
There were mountain goats with a kid at Logan Pass.
We came across a herd of male bighorn sheep cooling off in the snow in the warm weather.
St. Marys is on the east side. Along the way we saw a grizzly bear in the distance.
Many Glaciers is north of St. Marys. There were fields of wildflowers.
We came across two black bears playing. One was cinnamon colored.
Because it is a National Park, Jake had few opportunities to walk the trails but he loves viewing wildlife from the jeep.
Since my first Sierra Club Engagement Calendar in the 1970’s, which had a photo of Glacier; I have always wanted to photograph beargrass with mountains in the background. Sandy thinks it’s funny to photograph me photographing.
The Two Medicine road took us to a lake with an incredible number of wildflowers.
Kalispell, Coram, Columbia Falls and White Fish all had things to offer. We rented a storage locker for our excess supplies, ammunition and firearms because of the requirements when entering or leaving Canada. In Whitefish, we enjoyed meeting our friends Kelly and Sal. The area is very appealing, just a little bit touristy and surrounded by mountains, rivers and wildlife. Jake enjoyed chasing ground squirrels down their burrows at the campground. He wanted desperately to dig them out but we didn’t want to ruin the grass.
great photos as always, thanks for sharing!
Thank you, currently in Canada!