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Recently celebrating it's 100th year anniversary, Glacier National Park is one of the must visit National Parks. With the west entrance located just 25 miles from Kalispell Montana, access to the park can be quick and easy.
Leaving Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in a rental car with unlimited mileage, I am headed to the east entrance of Glacier National Park. Although the west entrance is closer, my plan is to drive the loop along US Highway 2 from east to west. Exiting the airport I am careful as the speed limit on the crossing street, US93 is a warping 70MPH!
The road to Glacier US2 follows low mountainous terrain that offers nice scenery as you pass through small Montana towns.
From US89 I approach the east entrance to the park at St. Mary but not before checking out “The World's Largest Purple Spoon”.
A taste of what Glacier offers can be seen in the distance but first I must pass fields of pastures and flowers.
Lake Mary nearby like other areas of the park offers great hiking trails along with affordable boat tours.
Armed with a noise making dry branch I set out on my first hike aware that I may not be alone. Lions and Tigers and Bears … Oh My!
My shadow keeps my company and we enjoy the hike without having to use my dry branch defensively.
Hiking Streams
Snow Laced Mountains Majesty
Hiking Trail Flowers
If a picture is worth a thousand words then being here must be worth even more. The fresh air, gentle breezes and the sounds of nature are left out no matter how many pictures you take.
The full experience comes from being here.
Numerous “just take it in” stops along the way including Jackson Glacier Overlook before I arrive at Logan’s Pass Visitor Center for another hike. This time a slow gradual climb to Hidden Lake.
Hidden Lake
A popular hike, I am not alone on the two thousand plus feet climb even a few mountain goats join me but keep their distance.
Looking forward or behind you, the views are amazingly rewarding. Not knowing any better you would “pinkie swear” you where in the Swiss Alps. I resist the urge to start yodeling.
Not knowing a wall could cry, I am made a believer as I visit the “Weeping Wall”. I am not sure why it is weeping but the wall does seem all cracked up.
Unable to offer comfort, I move on.
With a few hours of daylight remaining, I take advantage of the situation to make a final short hike at Trail Of The Cedars Nature Trail.
Going To The Sun Road is the route through Glacier National Park and at some points it requires nerves of steel especially in narrow areas during road construction.
With numerous switch backs on two lane mountainous roads, its an E Ticket Ride.
Luckily, there are many scenic stops for you to return your heartbeat and blood pressure to normal.
Mountain Waterfall
As night falls, I catch a photo of a Doe heading out for the night.
It is almost 10pm as I make my way back to Kalispell with regrets that my time at Glacier was too short. I am jealous of those that had the wisdom to remain and promise myself that one day I will be wise about such things.
The peaceful sounds of rushing waters without Golden Arches accompanies me as I pass McDonald Falls and Lake McDonald leaving Glacier. However, I must wait until Kalispell to replace my spent calories with a strawberry sundae.
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