After last week’s family reunion in Glacier National Park, me and my messy hair decided to stick around the park for a couple of reasons.

photo

1. I didn’t want to leave.
2. Some lovely ladies from Helena were headed up to Glacier Country and I felt it was my duty to be their tour guide in Glacier National Park for the day. Hey, it’s a tough gig but someone’s got to do it.

And because this girl is a big believer in cramming as much as you can into one day (especially when it stays light out for ridiculous amounts of time), my partner in crime and I departed Whitefish in the morning, bound for St. Mary to meet the rest of the girls with our sights set firmly on driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass. And because we are good hostesses who just happen to love being outside, we felt it was our mission to soak in as much national park air, charm and jaw-dropping scenery as possible.

And soak it in we did.

Here’s a look at one of the loveliest summer days I’ve ever spent in the Crown of the Continent…

Stop #1: The Goat Overlook on Highway 2 in Glacier National Park.
Stop #1: The Goat Overlook on Highway 2 in Glacier National Park. (Yep, that is indeed a mountain goat. And she had a baby with her!)
Stop #2: Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier. Not only is the lodge as lovely as ever, but she's celebrating her 100th birthday this year.
Stop #2: Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier. Not only is the lodge as lovely as ever, but she’s celebrating her 100th birthday this year.
Stop #3: Park Cafe in St. Mary. Not only are their servers hilarious, but they literally have the best pie in the West. (You can totally quote me on that).
Stop #3: Park Cafe in St. Mary. Not only are their servers hilarious, but they literally have the best pie in the West. (You can totally quote me on that).
Stop #4: Wild Goose Island Overlook on St. Mary Lake.
Stop #4: Wild Goose Island Overlook on St. Mary Lake.
Stop #5: Another view of St. Mary Lake. In all of my years, I had never seen St. Mary Lake as calm as it was that day.
Stop #5: Another view of St. Mary Lake. In all of my years, I had never seen St. Mary Lake as calm as it was that day.
Soaking up the day's rays, with St. Mary Lake as our backdrop.
Soaking up the day’s rays, with St. Mary Lake as our backdrop.
Stop #6: Passing through the tunnel just below Logan Pass, we saw one of the park's iconic red buses.
Passing through the tunnel just below Logan Pass, we saw one of the park’s iconic red buses.
Stop #6: Logan Pass and its blanket of snow. (This photo was taken on Monday, June 17).
Stop #6: Logan Pass and its blanket of snow. (This photo was taken on Monday, June 17).
Looking down the road from the top of Logan Pass.
Looking down the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the top of Logan Pass.
Our crew of lovely ladies Logan Pass.
Our crew of lovely ladies documenting our time at Logan Pass.
Stop #7: A boat tour at Two Medicine with Glacier Park Boat Company.
Stop #7: A boat tour at Two Medicine with Glacier Park Boat Company.
Stop #8: 'Just a messy-haired girl looking at Running Eagle Falls in the Two Medicine Valley.
Stop #8: A short hike to Running Eagle Falls in the Two Medicine Valley.

It was a good day. But I’ve got one question for my traveling partners: When are we going back?

Until next time,
TT

PS: Are you planning on spending time in Glacier National Park this summer? Peruse www.glaciermt.com for planning info or tweet questions to @GlacierMT.

June 24, 2013

Related: Family Fun, Glacier National Park, Montana, Road Trips

Comments

Elaine
Only will have a day in Glacier on our drive from Yellowstone to Northern Idaho. Was thinking of staying near the east entrance to Glacier, then spend the day driving through the park (and hiking, taking a boat cruise, exploring along the way) then stay on the west side before we head on our way. Any recommendations on where to stay? Nothing fancy, but decent and clean would be nice!
tiatroy
You bet, Elaine. Check out Glacier Park Motel and Cabins in East Glacier Park (very affordable and very clean). On the west side, there are quite a few options -- try Historic Tamarack Lodge in Hungry Horse. You can also check out a full range of accommodations in Western Montana at http://www.glaciermt.io/stay.php. :)

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