Glacier National Park (Part 2 of 2)
Dateline: 10/05/98
This is the second of two part-story on Glacier National Park in Montana. In Part I, I provided general information on park, including history, geography of region, and accommodations. In Part 2, I'll focus on some of the programs and activities that park has to offer.
One activity that everyone should experience is a drive through the park along the 50-mile-long Going-to-the-Sun Road. Bisecting the heart of the park, the road follows the shores of the park's two largest lakes and hugs the cliffs below the Continental Divide as it traverses Logan Pass. Numerous scenic turnouts and wayside exhibits allow travelers to stop and enjoy the park at their own pace. This also affords a great opportunity to explore many of Glacier's hiking trails. The park includes 151 hiking trails spanning more than 740 miles, including 106 miles along the Continental Divide. Trails here come in all sizes and and levels of difficulty -- many are short and are perfect for entire family; others are longer and more challenging. If you're enjoy opportunity to view wildlife (as I do), then Glacier is a great place to visit, as it includes some 264 species of birds and 60 species of mammals.
 |
A few of my favorite trails at Glacier include the Hidden Lake Overlook, a 1.5-mile hike that begins at the Logan Pass Visitor Center and rises 550 feet in elevation, peaking at 7,050 feet. The view from any point on this trail is spectacular, as you are surrounded by a crown of peaks that includes Mount Reynolds, Mount Clements, and Mount Oberlin. During the short wildflower season, which usually peaks in July, alpine meadows are filled with a stunning array of flowers. One word of caution: as one of the park's most popular and easily accessible trails, during the summer months you may have a problem find a parking spot at the Logan Pass Visitor Center during the middle of the day. As an alternative, you may want to consider taking the park's shuttle service or hiking the trail early in the day.
A more difficult hike that also begins at the Logan Pass Visitor Center is the Garden Wall Trail (aka Highline Trail). This 11.6 mile trail traverses the west side of the Garden Wall along a steep cliff and then follows through groves of subalpine fir and fields of bear grass on the way up to Haystack Butte, at the 3.4 mile mark. Both times I have hiked this trail, I have been fortunate enough to see bighorn sheep near Haystack Butte, though it is not unusual for hikers to spot mule deer, mountain goats, and even bear along the trail. At the 6.5 mile mark, hikers reach the Granite Park Chalet, which is one of two backcountry chalets that remain in the park. From here, the trail drops downhill most of the way, ending at The Loop parking lot on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
 |
If you are planning a lengthy stay at the park, you may want to invest in a guide book that describes Glacier's many trails. You can also pick up information sheets on day hikes at the park visitor centers. As an alternative to self-guided hikes, the park offers a variety of naturalist-led programs, as well as an evening speakers series that features local experts discussing topics of importance to the park. For specific details, inquire at park visitor centers. The Glacier Institute, which is celebrating its 15th year, is a non-profit organization whose goal is to educate people and help to promote the region, through a variety of seminars, workshops, school programs, and youth camps. Located just inside the west entrance to the park, the Institute offers programs from March through September.
Visitors can enjoy a number of other recreational activities at Glacier National Park. The Glacier Park Boat Company offers scenic launch tours and boat rentals in several locations around the park. Guided horseback trips are available at Many Glacier, Lake McDonald, and West Glacier, and guided backpacking and day hiking trips are available through the Glacier Wilderness Guides. In addition, four companies offer river rafting trips, lasting from a half day to a week. These range from scenic float trips to whitewater adventures.
Other useful resources:
Employment Opportunities - Includes general information on types of positions available at Glacier NP and contact information on how to apply.
Glacier Natural History Association - Supports park research, cultural preservation, and educational and interpretive activities through proceeds from bookstore operations in visitor centers and ranger stations.
Glacier Park Inc. - Booking service for the seven historic hotels, lodges and inns in and around Glacier National Park and the red bus tours.
Montana Parks Div - Lists state park information by region, an events calendar, and feature stories.
National Forests - Northern Region - Links to USDA Forest Service units in Montana and Idaho.
Waterton Lakes National Park - Includes history and information on the Waterton, Alberta side of Glacier National Park
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park - A World Heritage Site consisting of both Glacier National Park (US) and Waterton Lakes National Park (Canada).
