Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is a must see for all travelers coming to Montana. It is often set aside do to the fame of one of our nations greatest treasures Yellow Stone National Park. Glacier, as us locals call it, resides in both Canada and the United States. It is most renounced for its impressive jagged granite peaks, high country lakes, grizzly bears, and of course some of the last glaciers.
If this is your first time traveling through the park I would recommend starting in west glacier where you can stay at the Historic Belton Chalet ("http://www.beltonchalet.com") which was built in 1910. While you are here enjoy some great food from the many restaurants around and spend your day White Water Rafting in the Middle Fork River.
After a fund day in the sun, head north to Lake McDonald Lodge. [Lake McDonald Lodge] (http://www.nationalparkreservations.com/glacierlakemcdonald.htm?gclid=CKvisZ6HjqACFRknawodqz3gnA "http://www.nationalparkreservations.com/glacierlakemcdonald.htm?gclid=CKvisZ6HjqACFRknawodqz3gnA")
Here you can play in one of Montana’s historic lakes, book Helicopter tours over the park, or spend the day by yourself fly fishing the Montana way.
Now it is time to gain some elevation. The park is famous for its Going To The Sun Highway, which is not much of a highway but a very beautiful scenic drive. You might see Grizzly bears crossing the road while you pass some of the worlds last glaciers. The Weeping Wall literally looks like the mountain is crying directly out of its granite faces.
Not much farther from the Weeping Wall you will reach Logan Pass and unless you have been to the Himalayas you will feel like your on top of the world. The views are breath taking to say the least. This is a great place to park, have lunch, and explore some of Glacier Parks great hiking and back country trails. If you make it early enough in the summer bring your skies. You take a short hike to some fun down hill or cross country ski the hiking trails.
It is all down hill from here time to head to the east side. The mountains and vegetation make a drastic change as the Rocky Mountains block the weather systems from crossing the continental divide. It is time to work your way down to East Glacier and over to Saint Mary’s lake; another beautiful lake on the Rocky Mountain Front next to the Blackfoot Indians. But that is another story!
