We explored a good section of the largely-deserted northwest Glacier National Park.
Bowman Lake illustrated the serenity possible in Glacier, with mirrored waters reflecting a backdrop of snow-fringed peaks and hillsides carpeted with trees.
While in Polebridge, we stayed in a tepee two nights, which proved to be more fun than it sounds. If only we had brought a mosquito net for the 5:30 sunrise…
Traveling from east to west across Glacier NP met our expectations, with soaring views, cool breezes, walks across meadows still filled with snow, and traffic. Lots and lots of traffic.
But enough about the Going to the Sun Road. That has been written about and photographed extensively. I want to talk about where we are now staying: Polebridge, MT. Or do I?
I began having this debate in my head while driving to a closed Canadian border post: When we come across something beautiful, an amazing thing, but a thing that is only that way because it isn’t crushed by people and their credit cards and minivans and loud, pointless talking, should we attempt to describe its wonder (and location) to others?
After an hour, I reached my decision. And I have nothing more to say on Polebridge.
We spent part of the day exploring the region around Two Medicine, which is in the southeastern section of Glacier National Park. The drive down 49 to the entrance to Two Medicine was one of best of the trip thus far, with barricade-less switchback turns overlooking a 1500-foot cliff with spectacular views.
The centerpiece at Two Medicine is a lake, and we walked around a bit of it to better catch a peek at a waterfall that started at the snowpack above and ended at the water’s edge.
Later on, we stocked up in Browning, taking some time to see the Museum of the Plain Indian and witness the first day of Indian Days, a gathering of the Blackfeet Nation that takes place annually.
We’re having a great time, fortunate to have such great weather.
Kath and I drove north from St. Mary’s to the Waterton Lakes area in the Canadian side of the park, which is in a gorgeous setting, with a clear, off-blue lake beside a jewel of a town surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
The quote of the day from the Canadian customs official, who said: “So, how much beer is some beer, eh?”
We also looked around the Many Glacier area, including a hike up to a waterfall.
For dinner, we stopped at the Two Sisters Cafe, recommended by Mac. They make a tasty bison burger!
Today, we will go explore the Two Medicine area and visit the Blackfeet Indian Days festival, which happens to start today.
We pulled into the KOA on the east side of Glacier National Park about 11 last night, after over 15 hours on the road from Rapid City. Along the way, we stopped off at Devil’s Tower in Wyoming (bad weather; couldn’t really see it) and at the Little Bighorn Battlefield; interesting and definitely worth it).
After dodging cattle and horses in the road for the last 20 miles to St. Mary’s (very dangerous), we put up our tent in the dark. The morning revealed the beautiful mountains of the Park, beneath a cloudless sky and 60-degree perfect day.