We spent most of August exploring Glacier National Park in Montana, two weeks on the east side and two weeks on the west side. The wildfires that burned this summer really impacted our trip. The air quality some days was terrible and visibility was limited during most of our stay.
Going-to the-Sun Road Scenic Drive
Going-to-the-Sun Road is the main thoroughfare in the park. It’s a long winding road with stunning sites.
Hikes
Glacier is a hiker’s paradise. We did as many as we could that didn’t require camping overnight.
Trail of the Cedars
Highline Loop Trail
The Highline Loop starts at Logan Pass. This hike is normally a 13 mile one-way hike. As the hiker’s shuttle wasn’t running, we went to Haystack Pass out and back.
Less than a mile into the hike is the famous ledge with the reputation for terrifying those with a fear of heights. In most places the ledge, hanging like a shelf along the Garden Wall, is only six to eight feet in width, and has drop-offs of roughly one hundred feet or more down to the Going-to-the-Sun Road below.
At an elevation of 7024 feet, Haystack Pass forms the saddle between Haystack Butte and the Garden Wall. Gorgeous panoramic vistas are normally visible on clear days. Sadly, smoke from the fires obscured our view.
St. Mary Falls Hike
Grinnell Glacier
We took two short boat rides from the Many Glacier Hotel which shaved about 3.5 miles off this 11 mile difficult hike.
10 thoughts on “Glacier National Park”
So glad you got to see West side of the park. We were there last year and that side wasn’t open. It’s a beautiful National park, so sad the smoke from wildfires were still hanging around.
Hi Becki and Bob, I remember you said the park was partially closed when you went. I thought we might get evacuated with the smoke, but fortunately not. Didn’t stop the crowds. Unbelievable how many people were there. Not sure if the new ticketing system worked as expected, but we bought tickets for the entire month just in case. Would love to go back sometime.
Glad you were able to experience my most favorite National Park. Spent many summers there with my parents in the 1960’s and 70’s. Hope you are both someplace warm by now? We just returned to PV on Saturday! Cheers! Jeff y Wayne
That is so neat that you got to Glacier so often. It is a beautiful park. Really hope we can return someday. We are in Nevada right now. Plan to winter outside of San Antonio. Enjoy PV for the season and let us know when you’re back in the states. Love you guys.
as usual beautiful photos. My favorite is the one with the reflection on the lake. I have to say, I could never hike to the places you are on the edge. I can not do heights…and I know I miss a lot of beauty because of that, ED just had foot surgery, so our holiday activities will be very limited. But we do have a cruise booked in January and hopefully he will be better by then.
Continue your great time finishing out the year in Texas. Merry Christmas
Hi Sue, The reflection pic is our favorite too. If I turn it upside down you can’t tell what the real sky is. Scott took that one. The ledge wasn’t bad. I think the pic makes it look more narrow than it is. It’s about 8 feet so unless someone else is coming the other way, it was not too narrow. Awesome news about the cruise. Where are you going? Please send pics. Happy Holidays.
OMG what beautiful views. Love seeing you’ll still so happy. Where are you’ll spending Thanksgiving and Christmas? Take care and stay safe. Love you both ????❄️⛄❤️
Hi Mary Alice, Glad you enjoyed the pics. We are spending Thanksgiving in Las Vegas with my dad. Christmas we will be in Castroville outside of San Antonio. We will be there for three months. If you need a road trip, come see us. Love you!!!
Wow! So many spectular views, with each photo I picked another favorite. So enjoyable, I can understand why this is Jeffs favorite national park.
Thank you for sharing.
Be safe, love you Casper and Glynda
Thanks Glynda!! Love you both.