GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

WATERTON-GLACIER INTERNATIONAL PEACE PARK

MONTANA

This Page is under construction until late 2005.

THIS PAGE COVERS MY NEWLY-BORN PLANS & EVENTUAL COMPLETION OF AN AUGUST 2005 TRIP TO SEE THE MAJESTIC GRIZZLY BEAR, MOOSE, BIGHORN SHEEP,  MOUNTAIN GOATS, GREY WOLF AND THE GLACIER NATIONAL PARK OF MONTANA.  I WILL UPDATE THE PAGE AS I GO, CULMINATING WITH THE ACTUAL TRIP.  I HEARTILY INVITE MY WEB PAGE VISITORS TO EMAIL ME WITH THEIR OWN PERSONAL GLACIER NATIONAL PARK EXPERIENCES - HikingwithMike@aol.com .

THE PLAN:  This will be my second large scale trip outside California, and it will be partly about going in search of Grizzly Bear, Rocky Mountain goats, Moose and the newly re-introduced Grey Wolf, as well as hiking the grandeur of Glacier NP.  This trip will hopefully make up for my disappointing Grand Teton National Park grizzly search of August 2002 - go to Grand Teton National Park page.  I am hopeful that hiking The Loop Trail (off Going-to-the-Sun Road), to Granite Park Trail and Swiftcurrent Pass Trail to the Swiftcurrent Inn will bring me my wilderness Grizzly sighting.  Knowing the foolishness in solo hiking in Grizzly country, I have convinced Lin to join me - Ha. Ha.  We will stay at Granite Park Chalet one night, reserved through Glacier Wilderness Guides & Montana Raft Co., Inc.  Lin and I plan on staying overnight at the Granite Park chalet (hiker's shelter), then hike down to Swiftcurrent Inn. 
Most of this visit to Glacier National Park will be car touring, as I will be accompanied by Lin.   We will likely take a half-day horseback ride and tour of the  Grinnell Glacier area; rent a boat for some lake time, and take some short day hikes, as well.  The four-hour Grinnell Glacier ride is rated "easy," and costs $75. per person.

One visitor, whom I sincerely thank, recommends: "What a neat site and an exciting trip you have planned to Glacier. For a day hike I also suggest the Iceberg lake trail for good chance of griz sighting. For wolves though you might want the Lamar valley area of Yellowstone. From there you can go to the Beartooth Highway and backpack in the Beartooths, fantastic scenery."  

OUR GLACIER NATIONAL PARK ITINERARY - AUGUST 2005 – AS OF 2/8/03  

THE ACTUAL TREK to Granite Park chalet:

• Day 1.  [8/17/2005] - Lin and myself will set out on a 3.5 mile hike up The Loop Trail to the Granite Park chalet (about 6,500' elevation).  We will stay over at the chalet.  Bedding is provided, so we will carry day hike gear, only.  We will spend the afternoon and evening seeking out and photographing wildlife, relaxing, and drinking in the beautyitity (Lin's word).
• Day 2.  [8/18/2005] - We will hike 7.5 miles over Swiftcurrent Pass (6,770' maximum elevation point), down into Many Glacier Valley, and finish at the Swiftcurrent Inn (4,900' elevation).

OTHER SIGHTS & POINTS OF INTEREST:

Glacier National Park was established to preserve the region's awesome scenic assets.  Glacier National Park includes about 1.4 million acres of wilderness.  It includes some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the United States, if not the world.  A combination of spectacular scenery, widely-diverse flora and wildlife, and relative isolation from major population centers has combined to give Glacier National Park one of the most expansive and most intact ecosystems in North America.

The park was once the homeland of the Blackfoot and Kootenai Indian tribes and many sites in the park are sacred spiritual sites.  Please respect the areas, and never remove artifacts found or in any way deface these magical places.

There are over 50 glaciers in the park, and over 200 lakes or streams.  Going-to-the-Sun Road skirts the two largest lakes, St. Mary Lake at the east side of the park and Lake McDonald at the west side of the park.  Beautiful Lake Sherburne, in the Many Glacier district, is home to many of the park's most wonderful sights and activities.  There are over 700 miles of trails for hikers to enjoy in the park.  There are a number of things to do while enjoying Glacier National park. These activities include but are not limited to boating, biking, camping, canoeing, climbing, fishing, hiking, photography, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, swimming, and wildlife watching.

The park is linked from east to west by Going-to-the-Sun Road, a spectacular drive! For visitors who wish to drive through the park, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is an experience to remember. Bisecting the heart of Glacier, this 50 mile long road follows the shores of the park's two largest lakes and hugs the cliffs below the Continental Divide as it traverses Logan Pass. Numerous scenic turnouts and wayside exhibits allow travelers to stop and enjoy the park at their own pace.  I've listed some of these turnouts below.

• Interpretive van tours highlighting Blackfeet culture originate from East Glacier and the St. Mary Lodge.
• Guided Horseback trips are available at Many Glacier, Lake McDonald, and West Glacier.
• Boating: There are scenic launch tours and boat rentals in several locations around the park.
• Guided backpacking and day hiking trips are available through the local guides.

Recommended, not-to-be-missed sights along Going-to-the-Sun Road:

SEE PHOTOS OF EACH LOCATION ON GLACIER NATIONAL PARK PHOTO PAGE!

• Two Dog Flats - St. Mary Lake.
• Going-to-the-Sun Road - Sun Point - St. Mary Lake.
• Baring Falls -western end of St. Mary Lake.
• Jackson Glacier Overlook - west end of St. Mary Lake.
• Logan Pass - lookout for white Rocky Mountain goats and alpine wildflowers (Hanging Gardens).

• Bird Woman Falls Overlook - a bit west of Logan Pass. 

• Weeping Wall - a bit west of Bird Woman Falls. 
• Trail of the Cedars - lush rainforest-like environment; hiking Avalanche Lake Trail.
• Sacred Dancing Cascades - just northeast of McDonald Lake.
• Lake McDonald Historic District - Lake McDonald

  Click Here to Return to Great Hikes Page

                 Click Here to go to Glacier NP Photos Page #1

                    Click Here to go to Glacier National Park Website

                    Click Here to Return to Homepage