 Glacier National Park
--by John Godfrey
If ice-cool waters, towering peaks, precipitous canyons, open prairie, crisp meadows,
and wild animal life are your cup of tea, then spending time in this breath-taking corner of paradise should be
high on your 'to-do' list.
Glacier Park in Montana forms a large portion of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a 1932 joint creation
of the American and Canadian governments straddling the US-Canadian border between Montana, British Columbia, and
Alberta. Recognized as a World Heritage site since 1995, portions of the park are open year-round while others
are open from early May to late September (weather permitting), providing visitors the opportunity to commune with
nature up-close and personal.
Glacier Park is under the care of the US National Parks Service, who not only look after the day-to-day operation
of the park, but also perform peace-keeping functions and interpretive services for visitors as well.
Day trips from nearby centers such as Whitefish, Kalispell and Browning, Mt; and Cardston and Lethbridge, Ab are
popular ways to see the park. For those interested in an extended stay, a number of accommodations are available
on both sides of the border. Campgrounds can be found within and nearby Glacier. Variously-priced motels lie road-side
in the vicinity of the park's various entrances. Contained within Glacier Park are a number of seasonal lodges
and chalets catering those with a variety of interests in the outdoors.
Regardless of the length of the stay, every effort should be made to travel the length of the Going-to-the-Sun
Road across the breadth of the park. A truly memorable experience, this 52-mile road makes the 'back-country' accessible
to just about everyone. Traveling east from West Glacier, the road follows the shore of glacial Lake MacDonald
and Logan Creek as it winds its way up 3490 ft to and through 6640 foot Logan Pass to St. Mary. Pull-offs along
the road provide an unhurried means to take in the many spectacular sites and allow faster moving vehicles to pass
safely. The visitor center at the top of the pass is an ideal place to take an extended break in the journey. A
popular circle trip continues south from St Mary to East Glacier, then west to West Glacier over Marias Pass.
A valued memory of a trip to Glacier Park is seeing nature's creatures in their own habitat. Following Parks Service
guidelines during a visit will enable future visitors to share that same memory by preserving nature's beauty and
keeping wildlife wild. Goats, sheep, deer, and particularly mountain lions and bears can easily turn a memorable
visit into a painful or even fatal one if they feel threatened or are surprised. Observing these animals from a
safe distance and making noise while hiking along the various trails are the best ways to have a safe visit.
Whether you stay for several hours or several days, a visit to Glacier Park will be a memorable experience for
a long time to come. For more information, contact Glacier National Park, West Glacier, Mt 59936. (406) 888-7800.
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