Montana Drive - Day 6 - Glacier National Park 2

The big day! This is the highlight of my trip – driving the Going to the Sun Road. Of all the things I have read about it, I was a bit nervous, but knowing that there are Red Bus tours and park shuttles gave me some hope that I could drive this mountainous road. I got up and was out of the hotel by 6:45 am. I keep thinking I am smart, but I forget everyone is smart too. I wanted to get into the park before 8 am – well so did everyone else. The drive was as miserable – Hwy 49-N was not bad, although lots of curves and switchbacks and on top of that some ranchers' cows were grazing freely on the road. I was the only one on the road for miles and speed limit was 35 mph, so I could brake easily. First I thought I had seen a black bear, but then it turned out to be cows. Hwy 89 was miserable again with the gravel road. And the horses were still there! 

Came through the St Mary’s entrance by 7:50 am. The visitor center will open at 8 but restrooms were open, so of course, I had to make a quick stop. The drive from there on was just one beautiful stop after another.  It was still good to come even at 8 am – as there were not that many people there. all the pull outs were open with parking available. And I stopped at all of them! I had to take pics of every mountain, lake, river, stream, waterfall or flower I could see. Some of the spots were just magical! 

The Jackson glacier overlook was nice. The Siyen Bend was beautiful – lovely stream with flowers all along. People were hiking along the shores. 

Then came Lunch Creek and it just took my breath away. I thought I was in some magical land. The stream was flowing from the top of the mountain and it had flowers on both sides of its shores – the white ones. I wanted to spend more time there, but no time would be enough there. it was just too pretty! After this point the ascend started for Logan’s Pass. It wasn’t too bad. 

Logan’s Pass parking lot was full even at 9 am! So I did not waste time there and decided to keep going so at least I see the park in good time and then I can come back using the shuttle. The drive from Logan’s Pass to the tunnel was a little bit of a nail biter. I was on the mountain side (as I had read going East to West is easier as that is mountain side). But the mountain was a little too close and the other drivers were trying to get across the median since they were driving on the edge. I focused on my driving, while also looking at the views. I was still able to make some stops to take pics. There was not much traffic. Also this part of the road was all downhill.  After the tunnel MacDonald stream came into view. Oh what a view! The stream was calm for a while, but then it hit rocks and slope and turned into a happy stream and in a few places waterfalls. I stopped at a few key points to take pictures. Really pretty! By this time the Sun Road was flat with speed limit to 45 mph. 

I got into the MacDonald Lodge and luckily found a parking spot just opposite the shuttle stop. (I realized later how lucky I was – parking was going almost to half a mile). The shuttle would take us to Avalanche Creek, from where we would switch into a smaller van for Logan’s Pass. The first shuttle driver did not let me in – could have! And then I had to wait another 30 mins for the next one. And then I saw an American couple do something I have never seen Americans do – cut line to get ahead. The drive to Avalanche Creek was about 15 mins. I got the shuttle almost immediately for Logan Pass. I am glad to have taken the shuttle, I just sat back and enjoyed the views, took photos. The drive takes over 30 mins – it is all uphill. 

Logan Pass was still full. It was super crowded. There were some really scenic views around. If it hadn’t been 1 pm and bloody hot, and if I had company, I would have done the 3 mile round trip hike to see the hidden lake. But when I saw the photo of it in the gift shop, I thought, seen one mountain lake, just about seen them all. Unless there is a difference in color or mountains. I don’t think I missed much. I bought myself an insulated mug. So far I have bought only one magnet for myself. This mug will get used. 

I took pictures to my fullest and then took the shuttle down to Avalanche Creek. The driver this time was quiet for a bit but then we started chatting. It was me and her in the shuttle. Even though she was driving slowly, I did not realize that we were at the Creek. (Theory of Relativity!!). 

I got the next shuttle to the Lodge and got back on the Sun Road. I still had about 12-15 miles to go. Luckily there was not much in spectacular views from then on. Lake MacDonald was pretty, surrounded by mountains, and very clear. It is about 220 ft deep! I did stop at a couple places to make sure I did not miss anything. Last stop was Apgar Visitor center. I had to use the restroom, fill my water bottle and see what this was about. There was not much inside, so left quickly. 

Exited the park and got to Hungry Horse where there was a wonderful place to eat. Well, they had a bunch of huckleberry products, so I thought of stopping there and getting something for Bhaiya. I decided to have lunch also there (yes at 4 pm). I had a huge salad and huckleberry pie. I did not care much for the pie.  It was kind of like blueberry. I found some jelly for Bhaiya.  The next stop was the Vortex place but it was closed even though it said open on the street. Oh well. 

Now it is time to go the hotel, Sunrise Vista Inn. Again, a nice small hotel with only 5-6 rooms. It is right on the lake! It is very pretty place. The room is big and comfortable. But like the other hotel – Singing Swan – there are no toiletries. So glad I have my own. But they do have coffee maker in the room! So first things first – coffee. It wasn’t really good, but I needed caffeine and something warm. 

The manager, Greg, is very talkative. He gave me some good ideas about tomorrow. He invited me to a place that plays Trivia. But I am so tired I could not learn anything at this time. And then it started raining a bit. I came in and went out later to the lake to just sit there, but then again drops of water from above. now it is just time to rest. I am exhausted. Luckily there is not much to do tomorrow but drive to Spokane.

Montana Drive - Day 5 - Glacier National Park 1

Left Helena around 8:30 after a heavy breakfast of pancakes. I-15-N was okay. I managed to see the Madonna on the hill. Nothing spectacular – just a white statue over the mountain. Then I took 287 N. these highways are two lane yet their speed limits are 70-80 mph. But then there is no one on the roads either. The drive was so pretty that was not bored driving. Although one has to pay attention a lot to road since there are trucks going in and out and the road will curve a lot! Usually I will see a car every 3-4 minutes. 

Getting to Browning was fine. Browning is a small town with not much going on. I had to stop at a gas station to get gas and use the restroom. After this I will be in the National Glacier Park. 

The drive on 89-N was getting prettier with the mountains. Most of the road was okay and then we hit gravel! For about 10 miles on and off there was construction going on and there were many portions of gravel road. Everyone was going so I also went – definitely not my first choice, but there was no other way. And on top of that there were 5 horses running around the road! Don’t know if they belonged to anyone. Soon I could see lower St Mary Lake. There was a beautiful pull out on the road and parked for a while. I needed a little stretch too after all the hectic driving. 

I can now imagine what the field of flowers in India would look like. This mountain area was covered with flowers. All colors, yellow, purple, white, red etc. It was just so wonderful to look at this amazing nature. And in the background were mountains and the lake. So scenic. And the flowers were aromatic. I just stood there and smelled the fragrant air.

Got back on 89 and then went on to Route 3 for the Many Glaciers entrance. Oh what a horrible road! It had so many pot holes! Had to really watch out. Park entry seemed to be restricted to hotel guests and anyone who had a boat reservations, which I did. Although the lady did not really check my ticket. Apparently the parking lot was full and they could not let many people in. When I drove in to the hotel, I could see why. There was not much else to do there. the parking lot was big and full. I got lucky as someone was pulling out just as I came in. it was about 1:30 pm. I had some time before my 4:30 pm boat ride. 

I went in to see the hotel and gift shop, confirmed my reservation at the boat tours. Took pictures. Many Glaciers hotel and lake are just too scenic. I don’t want to keep writing scenic but really everything about this park is beautiful. 

Many Glacier Lake

I walked back to see the falls I had seen on my way in. they were kind of small but the best part was that I got to see a huge brown bear! My day is made!! He was just strolling in the water and then went into the bushes just below where there were hiking trails. Lord help the trekkers. At about 2:30 pm I was on my way back when I thought about seeing if they can let me do the 3 pm boat ride if there is room. Apparently I am not the smartest one! There were 7 names ahead of me! But luckily there was room for me. (and there was still space for 3 more people). 

The boat ride started us from Many Glacier Lake and then we would hike about 0.75 mi to the other side and take the boat ride on Lake Josephine. It was all very nice and pleasant. The views were amazing. The lakes were so clear. I saw a number of waterfalls, some really thin streams of water while some were substantial. There are no glaciers here as they have all melted. The hike was also pretty. Again, so many flowers! Just beautiful. 

Lake Josephine

We came back by 4:15pm. This really worked out perfectly for me, since I had not expected gravel road on 89 so I knew I had to drive back on it and it would take me more time. One of the roads was not marked well, so I ended up taking 89 back to Browning and then took 2 to get to the East Glacier Village. Google was showing it to be faster but I thought the other one would be shorted. (I don’t think it mattered in the end). I got there by around 6 pm. It should have taken less but darn the construction. All the way I was thinking that I could skip my boat ride from Two Medicine Lake and just go to the park early because it would take me so long to even get there. The horses were still there on 89!

Ultimately I was right. Mark, the hotel owner also suggested going to the park early. One boat ride is the same as the next. And I had enough time that evening to visit the Two Medicine Lake area, which is about 15 mi from East Glacier Village. So without unpacking, I left right away. The drive was okay. Finally I was on 49 – the hwy I should have taken instead of going to Browning. Anyways….the lake area was pretty. One mountain lake is almost the same as the next after I have seen a few. Again the flowers were really pretty! I always get distracted by them. 

Two Medicine Lake

Drove back and checked into my room. It was small and with a really small bathroom. There was a TV which I never turned. Today I had mathri for dinner. I planned out my next day using the map the Park officials had given me. Mark also suggested to not worry about getting parking at Logan Pass, just drive on and take the shuttle. That gave me a good relief just in case I was not able to see all the sights also.

I was super tired today. there had been a short break of the boat ride, but otherwise I had not eaten proper lunch or dinner and had driven all day on mountain roads. And I know part of the way for tomorrow will still be gravel road, so I needed my rest. 

I slept quite well!