Glacier National Park is hiker's paradise: lots of trails through forests, along creeks and lakes, up mountains, and of course glacier views. The park got its name from the effects of glaciation, rather than the presence of glaciers. Glaciers form on tops of mountains - over time glaciers erode cliffs and create steep valleys. Valleys which once contained glaciers become long finger-shaped lakes. Huckleberry is big here - I had huckleberry syrup (for pancakes), huckleberry jam, huckleberry wine, huckleberry ice cream, and huckleberry smoothie. I focussed my trip on 4 main regions of Glacier National Park.
My flight to Glacier National Park had a layover in Salt Lake City, so I photographed the Great Salt Lake from the airplane. I flew into Kalispell, closest airport to the park (35 minute drive). My rental car is a 2019 Kia Forte which got 45mpg, mostly highway driving. I filled the gas tank only once, on the day I returned the car. Cell phone and internet service is spotty to nonexistent around the park - good idea to download Google offline maps before arriving.
Two Medicine
Lodge: Whistling Swan Motel in East Glacier Park.
On my first day, I did two easy hikes, to allow my body to adjust to the higher altitude.
Hike to Running Eagle Falls.
Hike to Paradise Point with scenic overviews of Two Medicine Lake.
St Mary
I stopped in St Mary region while driving East Glacier Park to Many Glacier. During my time in St Mary, the weather was like Iceland - sunny, rainy, overcast, windy, calm winds and all within an hour.
Hiking St Mary Trail, which included a moose sighting and several waterfalls along the creek.
St Mary Falls and Virginia Falls are the main highlights of the St Mary trail.
St Mary Lake, with Wild Goose Island
Ranger led hike around a beaver pond. We saw a dam the beavers built. The cherries look beautiful, but don't eat them.
Many Glacier
Lodge: Many Glacier hotel, a Swiss style lodge inside the park. My room faced the Swiftcurrent Lake. Good place to watch a sunset, though it was mostly cloudy during my time so missed the sunset. I did see the moon set during sunrise.
Hike to Redrock Falls.
Ranger led hike to Grinnell Glacier. There was a large group from Virginia who are part of a hiking club. Most strenuous hike I have done. 4.2 miles one way (8.4 miles roundtrip). Plus a 1700ft elevation gain - my pedometer app recorded 195 flights climbed which is like climbing to the top of the Empire State Building twice. I started with two boat rides, one across Swiftcurrent Lake and then after a short quarter-mile hike another boat ride across Lake Josephine. We spotted a moose walking in Lake Josephine.
Along the Grinnell Glacier trail, we spotted mountain sheep and a marmot.
As we hiked higher up in elevation, we could see Grinnell Lake - beautiful bright turquoise color which is from silt that is transported from Grinnell Glacier. Also distant views of Grinnell and Salamander Glaciers, plus Grinnell and Salamander falls.
We finally made it to Grinnell Glacier. Beautiful views. Worth the hike.
Going to the Sun Road
Lodge: Apgar Village Lodge, inside the western section of the park. The rooms have views of McDonald creek, and is a short walk to Lake McDonald.
The Going to the Sun Road is the main road inside Glacier National Park. It is a scenic drive with many places to stop to take photos and hike. A key site is Jackson Glacier.
Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park. It is a great location to watch a sunset or sunrise. Lake McDonald falls is majestic.
Trail of the Cedars, a one mile loop through the forest and crosses Avalanche Creek.
Avalanche trail, a 2.3 mile hike through the forest on the way to Avalanche lake. On this trail, the lake appears suddenly when you reach the end - you won't see it from a distance.
