Glacier National Park

I visited Glacier National Park in Montana for the first time in July and here is my nerdy review.

Let’s start with the basic facts about the park. Glacier National Park is one of the great mountain landscapes. The park encompasses 1,012,837 acres—about 1,583 square miles. It protects a remarkable combination of glacier-carved mountains, alpine meadows, forests, lakes, wildlife habitat, and historic structures.

It was officially established on May 11, 1910, when President William Howard Taft signed legislation creating the nation’s 10th national park. The landscape is especially important in the histories and cultures of the Blackfeet, Salish, Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai peoples. At the time the park was established in 1910, there were approximately 80 glaciers within its boundaries. Today, there are roughly two dozen named alpine glaciers remaining. The park contains 762 lakes, of which 131 are named. The largest is Lake McDonald, approximately 9.4 miles long, up to 1.5 miles wide and 464 feet deep. Going-to-the-Sun-Road is one of the major highlights of the park. It crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, at an elevation of about 6,646 feet. The approximately 50 mile route is both a National Historic Landmark and National Civil Engineering Landmark.

Glacier National Park and neighboring Waterton Lakes National Park (Canada) were joined symbolically as the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the world’s first international peace park.

This park is a landscape and wildlife photographers heaven.

Just driving Going-to-the-Sun-Road, there is a high likelihood of seeing wildlife. Logan Pass (get there early, before 8 am or late, after 7 pm if you want to park) is known for bighorn sheep and mountain goats which I saw each time I was around this location. I saw several mule deer along the road. Give yourself 2-4 hours to drive the route as you will want to pull over and just admire the views.

There are two other “areas” Two Medicine and Many Glaciers. Two Medicine area has a boat that takes you to the other end of the lake and additional hiking trails. They also have canoe and kayak rentals. Next time, I want to take the boat and check out the area at the end of the lake.

Many Glaciers area is probably my favorite area. I saw bears, moose, deer, and countless birds in this area. A short, flat walk from the Swiftcurrent Inn parking lot brings your to Fishercap Lake. I saw moose and beaver in the lake. Deer were along the banks of the lake and grizzly bears passed by on the opposite side. This is also the location for the Grinnell Glacier trail. I didn’t do much hiking as I was more focussed on the photography.

I give this park a 10+/10. I absolutely loved it and there is so much to do. There are several things I want to try out when I go back, hopefully next year. If you find yourself in Montana, make a trip to Glacier National Park.

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Keep exploring,

Wendy