What a day I have had! We took a tour through Glacier National Park, up to the highest levels where there is a paved road. The taller mountains still towered high above us. I saw two glaciers (my second bucket list item on this trip – the train west being the other), many waterfalls, lots of wildflowers, and even a new animal. It was a most enjoyable day.
Glacier National Park was formed in 1910 as the 10th national park. It runs along the Canadian border, and is a hiker’s paradise with over 700 miles of trails. But it also is accessible to those of us no longer that fit, on the Going To The Sun highway, that runs through the highest part of the park. There is one spectacular view after another, and there were many other people and cars there enjoying it with us
-
St. Mary's Lake.
-
9.5 miles long.
-
This peak is 9,500 feet. This shape is called a horn, formed by there having been glaciers on all 4 sides.
-
Jackson Mountain is over 10,000 feet.
-
-
Jackson Glacier.
-
A close-up of the glacier. They are all melting, and they estimate all will be gone by 2030.
-
Just to prove that I actually do go on all these trips!!
-
This shape is called an arete and is formed by glaciers carving the mountain on 2 sides.
-
There are many waterfalls in the park.
-
The tunnel through to Logan's Pass.
-
Going To The Sun Road traverses the Continental Divide at 6,436 feet and was completed in 1932.
-
-
-
There were so many wildflowers.
-
Canada and the USA cooperate to form a Peace Park at Logan's Pass.
-
-
This is a Columbian Ground squirrel. He stands on his hind legs and folds his front legs just like a prairie dog.
-
-
The park is trying to conserve water, so there are no sinks in the bathrooms.
-
-
Views down into the valley.
-
Going To The Sun Road is the first park service road built to accommodate car tourism.
-
-
Fireweed in the background.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
St. Mary's Lake.
