Alaska Airlines had great fares to Kalispell from San Jose so off we went to revisit Glacier National Park. Our last trip there was 25 years ago and the park has held up well, although it's predicted that there will be no glaciers by 2030.So don't delay--go now!
Slushy snow and 40oF. greeted us on June 17 when we arrived, but by the time we left temperatures were up to a balmy 80o and sunny--that's Montana weather. Going to the Sun highway was not open due to the unusual storm that dumped 20" of snow on the road which was almost totally plowed.
Twenty-four avalanches later with subsequent delays in plowing means the road may not open until July 4th this year!
We toured the East side driving around the bottom of the park on Highway 2 and we still find Many Glaciers area the most awesome surpassing St. Mary area and even Waterton in Canada. No, we did not stay at the lodge, but at budget accommodation nearby.
The wildflowers were absolutely at their peak at lower elevations with lupine, shooting stars, Indian paint brush, lomatium, service berry, and various composites in full display. The Mountain Lady's Slipper was one of the most spectacular flowers I saw.And there was wildlife, too! A grizzly bear near the highway at St. Mary's Lake suddenly looked up from digging out bulbs to see a host of tourists gawking and took off in a hurry right down the road. The tourists scattered faster than the bear ran.
We had a week to explore the park and Great Falls, Montana, south east of the park. The Missouri River was in almost flood stage and very impressive. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center at GF featured exception exhibits that made one appreciate the 18 miles of portage the expedition had to make around five waterfalls...brutal work hauling those log boats laden with supplies, however at one stage the wind was so strong the crew hoisted sails and got a wind-assist over part of the journey.
Extraordinary beauty in the Rocky Mountains. Put this park on your bucket list!
Mountain Lady's Slipper (an orchid)
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