Moved to a new site
I had to change sites from Loop A to Loop B as A sites were all reserved for the next few days. I decided to stay an additional 2 days to get to see more of Glacier’s beauty. I had to wait until the people in the site I had reserved had left before I could move over there. I then drove the car over and walked back to the rig, then drove the rig over and got all settled in.
Later on I drove over to the Discovery Cabin across from the Apgar Visitors Center just inside the West Glacier entrance. It was a small cabin that contained a lot of interesting items. They had many of the skulls of different animals within the park. I found this display showing a variety of antlers of many animals.
They also had a full coat of both the black bear and the grizzly bear to show you the difference between the two. You could see the claws up close. What a difference! The grizzly claws were huge compared to the black bear. I sure would not want to run into one of those guys.
I also heard a very educational talk on Glaciers by the ranger outside of the Discovery Cabin. What I found very interesting was that there were 150 glaciers when Glacier became a national park back in 1910. Today there are only 26 glaciers in the park and the ranger said that in 7 years there would be 0 glaciers. Whether you believe in “Global Warming” or not it is hard to justify what is occurring in Glacier National Park.
Lake MacDonald Lodge and Falls
The next day I traveled to the other end of Lake MacDonald to the Lake MacDonald Lodge. It was really a beautiful setting.
The lobby was fantastically beautiful.
This was taken standing on the pier in front of the lodge.
Then I traveled further to the Lake MacDonald Falls. What a mass of rushing water.
Avalanche Creek Campground
Then my adventure took me to the Avalanche Creek Campground. This was the end of the trail as the park was closed off at this point until they get the snow plowed. The campground was closed for camping but actually became a big parking lot for all the hikers.
This picture does not really do this justice as it looks much more fantastic in person. It is just up the road from Avalanche Creek Campground.
Trail of the Cedars
Then I took the “Trail of the Cedars” hike. It was a short hike (.8 mile), but takes you through a very deep cedar forest. It is really beautiful.
On my return trip to my campsite I took these pics of Lake MacDonald.
It was a great day visiting just a few of the attractions of Glacier National Park. The ranger in the Discovery Cabin told me that I should return after July 1 when all the roads are open. She suggested the Logan Pass Trolley that takes you to many scenic spots. You can also get off for pics and hiking and get on the next trolley. I am not sure I will be in the area at that time, but for those of you who mentioned they were coming to the park around that time, I would highly recommend it.
No to slow Internet
It has taken me a while to upload this post. I am in a spot where there is no Internet so I went into the town and my Millenicom WiFi was extremely slow. So I am now in a McDonald’s using their fast WiFi. I will be posting more in a couple of days regarding my present location.
It seems so sad to me that the glaciers will all be gone in 7 years. It is certainly the end of an era. I have always felt blessed to have witnessed the beauty of Glacier and now feel the need to return and stamp it firmly in my sub-conscious.
I did not realize Montana held such a treasure. Thanks for sharing, Jim. Great photos, as usual!
Wonderful photos. The lodge lobby is beautiful and the view of the lake outside is gorgeous.
Glacier is a place I really want to visit. The pix confirm how beautiful an area it is. So glad you did a post about it. Maybe I’ll get there next summer.
Mother Nature works in cycles. The glaciers may or may not be gone in 7 years. They will come back even if it is not in our lifetime.
JC
Thank you for including such great photos with your posts. I always enjoy them and hope my husband and I get to see them when we start RVing. How is Chica doing? I hope you will include more photos of her.
Jim, I HIGHLY recommend that you drive around the south to the east side of Glacier and spend a few days at Two Medicine CG. Once the Going To The Sun Road opens, move up to St Marys CG. It was fun looking at your photos and remembering standing in those same places.
We were on our way to Glacier last fall when we had a problem with our toad. So that trip is still on the agenda for someday. You’ve posted some beautiful pictures.