Glacier National Park, MT

When Lester and I were still in the planning stages of this road trip, we discussed whether or not we should bother going to Glacier.  We wanted to see the glaciers before they all melted forever, but it is pretty far north and out of the way of the direct route between Yellowstone and Seattle.  I cannot emphasize enough how glad we are that we made it a stop on our trip.

Glacier has the best views and the best hikes we’ve seen so far; not just on the trip, but in all of our time in the outdoors.  It beats the views at Yellowstone, the Smokies, the Adirondacks, the White and Green Mountains, and most likely will win out over the Grand Canyon and Yosemite as well.

We only spent two and half days in Glacier, but the park really deserves at least a week.  The backcountry camping is supposed to be especially nice, despite the fact that Glacier has the highest density of bears in the lower 48 (and the most bear attacks).  Since we didn’t have time for backpacking, we spent our time on two separate day-hikes.  The first and one of the most recommended hikes in the country is the Highline trail.  This 12 mile route climbs up in to the mountains, providing amazing panoramas that make it apparent why this region is sometimes called the Alps of North America.  There was even a chalet at one peak where you could stay the night or just buy some Gatorade and Skittles.

The second day we hiked out to the Grinnell Glacier.  We did not take the boat that circumvents the first two miles of the trail, which at $25 a person is really not worth it since those are the only two miles that aren’t uphill.

The glacier is situated near the peak of a mountain, where it melts in to a freezing cold glacial lake that drains in to a large waterfall.  The water is literally ice-cold as it has big chunks of glacier floating in it.  A few crazy people jumped in to the lake; I soaked my feet for a second and Lester poked a finger in.

(one of the lakes at the base of the mountains 

that is fed by the runoff of the melting glaciers)

You can only reach the glacier by crossing the runoff from the lake, well away from the waterfall’s edge.  There are some wobbly rocks that span the flowing water and, with some waterproof shoes and good balance, you can make it to the other side.

Lester instructed me that I had to include the picture of the grizzly bear that we saw (the only bear we’ve seen so far on the trip).  This picture was taken from about 400 yards away, which is the distance I like my bears at.

We are now on our way to Seattle and Olympic National Park.