 |
| Sunset
over the peaks of Glacier National Park |
In conjunction with Waterton
National Park, Glacier
National Park is a recognized biosphere reserve that in 1995 was declared
a World Heritage Site. Located in Montana's
northwest corner, the park offers an array of impressive scenery and biodiversity
within a 1,600 sq mi (2,575 sq km) area. Encompassing pristine lakes, glaciers
and jagged mountain peaks, Glacier National Park is an ideal place for visitors
to explore.
Exploring Glacier National Park can be done year-round in a variety of ways.
The park is accessible by car, and the Going-to-the-Sun
Road is a main attraction that allows for exploration from a vehicle.
The park is also surrounded by over 700 mi (1,127 km) of hiking trails. Other
ways of exploring include horseback
riding, whitewater
rafting, biking and taking either a Red
Jammer bus tour or a Glacier
Park Boat tour. In the winter season when roads become snow-covered
and closed off, transportation options become quite different. Cross-country
skiing, snowmobiling and dog sledding are fun and effective ways to view the
park during the snowy months.
When staying in the park, visitors can choose between an upscale hotel vacation
or a nature-immersed camping expedition, including a stay at one of the park's
main campgrounds,
or one of the many backcountry sites that are scattered throughout the park.
 |
| Weeping
Wall Waterfall |
|
HISTORY
Research has shown that Glacier National Park has been inhabited by humans for
over 10,000 years. Before the Europeans bombarded the area and forced the Aboriginal
people off of the land, the Salish and Kootenai people lived and hunted in the
valleys and the Blackfeet people occupied the prairies east of the mountains.
Even today, the national park remains of significant value to these people.
Following the assembly of the Great Northern Railway, European settlers entered
the area and began to establish small towns. It was at this time that tourists
became interested in the area and began to explore it by boat. Although it was
made a forest preserve in 1900, it was not until 1910 that the persistence of
George Bird Grinnell—an explorer with an intense desire to protect the
natural environment—paid off, resulting in the area being named the USA's
10th national park. About 20 years later, after the 11-year construction of
the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the park united with Canada's
Waterton Lakes National Park and the pair became an international peace park,
the first of its kind. Throughout the years, visitors have continued to appreciate
the spectacular beauty of the park.
ENTRANCES
West Glacier Park Entrance
Known as Belton prior to 1949, the small town of West
Glacier is home to Glacier National Park's headquarters and provides
visitors with access into the park. Situated along the BNSF rail line and with
admittance via US Highway 2, the entrance is positioned at the southern tip
of the largest lake in the park, Lake
McDonald. Through its diverse landscape, the West Glacier area presents
visitors with many exciting activities and sights to see. It is also a depature
point for the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, as well as many hikes, tours and
leisure activities.
East Glacier Park Entrance
East Glacier is situated within the boarders of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation,
and with access via US Highway 2, visitors can gain eastern entry to the National
Park. Like West Glacier, East
Glacier is an end-point to the picturesque journey along the Going-to-the-Sun
Road.
GEOGRAPHY & HIKING
| |
 |
| |
Mountain Goats Relax in the Park1 |
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Since being constructed in 1932, this two-lane divided highway has become a
tremendously popular feature within the park. Declared a National Historic Civil
Engineering Landmark in 1985, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is considered a must-see
sight itself, not merely a means of transportation. Wildlife is regularly seen
from its twisting route since mountain goats make their home on the steep mountain
slopes. The road bisects the park from east to west, and crosses the Continental
Divide at Logan Pass at an elevation of 6,680 ft (2,036 m). Park rangers are
happy to answer visitor questions at the visitor information center that is
located at Logan
Pass. Behind the center, the departure point for the walking trail to
Hidden
Lake Overlook can be found.
There are many points of interest along The Going-to-the-Sun Road. Before reaching
Logan Pass, visitors should take note of the Rising Sun boat dock. There are
also a variety of lookout points along the way; Sun Point and Jackson
Glacier Overlook are two that offer exquisite views, while Baring Falls
is yet another that is located 1,320 ft (402 m) from the road.
The Weeping
Wall waterfall, created by an explosion during the construction of the
Going-to-the-Sun Road, gushes madly during the summer months, so much so that
drivers or passengers with their arms out the window are likely to get wet.
However, in late summer and autumn, the waterfall wittles down to a small trickle.
Further up the winding road, there is the Bird
Woman Falls Overlook. Continuing along the next section of road called
the "Loop," the rugged top of Heaven's Peak is in view. For hikers,
the 0.7 mi ( 1.13 km) Trail of the Cedars Avalanche Trail provides a chance
to meander through a Pacific coast forest of old cedars and hemlocks. Along
McDonald Creek, a chain of waterfalls called the Sacred
Dancing Cascades can be of particular interest to visitors. Wildlife
is plentiful, and the creek is specifically home to dippers and Harlequin ducks.
 |
| St.
Mary Lake |
|
Lakes
The national park has a multitude of beautiful unspoiled lakes surrounded by
astounding mountain peaks. The lakes' water is supplied by snowmelt so the crystal-clear
water is very cold, even in the hot summer months. Fishing trips can be arranged
in order to take advantage of ideal fishing spots. At 10 mi (16 km) in length
and more than 1 mi (1.6 km) wide, Lake McDonald is a favorite lake destination.
Though Lake McDonald is not ideal for fishing, it contains lake trout and serves
as a good place to teach children how to fish. Motorboat use is minimal on Lake
McDonald although canoeists are denizens of the shoreline. In the southeast
area of the park lies Two
Medicine Lake. This lake is easily accessible and the eastern side is
well-developed. On the other side of the park is the easily-accessible St. Mary
Lake. Year-round, this lake experiences high winds. It has an abundant fish
populous, though boat access is not easy.
In contrast to these quiet lakes, Swiftcurrent
Lake, which is located in the Many Glacier Valley area, receives a fair
amount of recreational use. The shoreline is bordered by many short and easy
hiking trails. The surrounding area serves as a departure point for hikes such
as the Iceberg Lake Trail, Swiftcurrent Pass Trail and Grinnell Glacier Trail.
ACCOMMODATION
Near the Park Entrances
Glacier National Park has a variety of accommodation options to offer its visitors.
In and around the park entrances there is a collection of hotels,
resorts,
cottages
and B&Bs.
Many of the hotels were built by the Great Northern Railway, whose president,
Louis W. Hill, wanted the park to be thought of as "America's Switzerland".
Therefore, most of the lodges and hotels emit a Swiss ambiance.
Built in 1913 and situated in East Glacier Park, the Glacier
Park Lodge & Resort is characterized by its historic roots and cozy
western atmosphere. The resort provides guests with amenities such as a heated
outdoor swimming pool, 9-hole golf course, lounge and steak house.
Only 10 mi (16 km) from the opposing West Entrance, the Lake
McDonald Lodge was originally built as a hunting lodge that sits on
the shore of Lake McDonald. The lodge offers both standard rooms and small and
large cottages. There is also a dining room, lounge and camp-store for the convenience
of visitors.
For those who would like to be one step closer to nature, cabins and cottages
are an appealing alternative to the hotel and resort-style accommodation.
Great Northern Railway Buildings
Leftover from the Great Northern Railway developments, Many
Glacier Hotel and Sperry
and Granite
Chalets are National Historic Landmarks that were built around 1914.
The largest building of the bunch, the five-story Many Glacier Hotel, is located
at Swiftcurrent Lake. Its architecture and decor portray a Swiss feeling that
is common to Glacier National Park.
| |
 |
| |
Many
Glaciers Hotel |
Located within the park's
backcountry are the Granite Park Chalet and Sperry Chalet. Both developments
can only be accessed by trail. The
Granite Park chalet is a small development located just below Swiftcurrent Pass.
The chalet contains 12 rooms and a main kitchen where guests are expected to
prepare their own meals. Several trails lead to Granite Park Chalet, all varying
in length and difficulty. The main trail to Sperry Chalet begins from Lake McDonald
Lodge and takes approximately 4.5 hours, proving to be a challenge to many hikers.
Sperry Chalet, on the other hand, contains 17 rooms and overnight accommodation
includes three meals per day. At both chalets, visitors can expect a rustic
visit as a continual effort is made to preserve the structures and keep the
buildings as authentic as possible. It's best to book in advance at these establishments
as they fill up quickly, and it would be a shame to be turned away after a lengthy
hike.
Campgrounds
Camping in the park is a popular activity among die-hard and recreational campers.
There are 13 main campgrounds
that reside throughout the park. Apgar
Campground is the largest campground and it provides guests with private
RV and tent sites. It is within close proximity to Apgar Village, where attractions
like horseback riding, boat rentals, bus tours and restaurants can be found.
For visitors seeking a hardy adventure, primitive winter camping is offered
at the Apgar and St.
Mary campgrounds—a free permit can be obtained from one of the
backcountry permit centers. St. Mary Campground is located near the East Entrance
of the park by the St. Mary Visitor Center.
Backcountry Camping
In addition to 13 campgrounds, there are numerous backcountry sites located
throughout the park's diverse wilderness. Whether camping overnight in the summer
or winter months, backcountry visitors are required to obtain a backcountry
permit and stay within the designated sites. As expected, these sites are attainable
only by trail, by both hikers and horse-back riders. The campsites are equipped
with tent sites, pit toilets and food preparation and storage devices. For very
experienced campers in seek of a challenge, the Nyack/Coal
Creek Camping Zone, located in the south section of the park, offers
unrestricted backcountry camping. Another way to explore the backcountry is
by taking advantage of a guided camping tour provided by Glacier
Wilderness Guides, who are the only authorized backpacking guide service
in the park. Tours include a combination of camping, rafting and hiking packages.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Melanie Hendricks;
London, England
United States
