Glacier NP, Day 2

 Friday 29th August 

Glacier NP has pretty much one road going through it called the 'Going to the Sun Road'. We are camped at the south west of this road and in the morning drove out to the north east of the park. It wasn't very sunny first thing and a lot of the time was spent driving in cloud. However, it was very exciting when occasionally the mists cleared and we got a dramatic view of looming steep mountains.

Made it to St Mary which was below the cloud level and has another attractive lake. We wanted to visit the Many Glacier area but the road was under construction and we realised we would have needed to reserve a shuttle bus ticket in advance. Not that there are that many glaciers now. There was 80 when the park was formed, now down to 24 and of much diminished size. 

After a picnic by the river in the drizzle the clouds started to clear and so we made our way back across the 'Going to the Sun' road. This time we had much better luck and got some amazing views. The park is quite busy but there are a lot of laybys / viewpoints and we could usually pull off the road to enjoy the views. The mountains are huge! Got a reasonable view of Jackson Glacier. 

As we approached the south we stopped for the Ceder Trail which is a short circular walk through an old growth forest. The sun was properly out by then and the dappled sunlight through the trees was gorgeous. As was the river running through - all the streams here are incredibly clear. 

Before returning to our campsite we took a boat trip on MacDonald Lake. This was on a 1930s boat. The classic 1930s red buses also still run trips - although apparently they have new engines now! The sun was out on the water and the tour guide gave lots of information about the history of the park. They tried to introduce Bison here but they all quickly migrated back to Yellowstone! 

There is a petrified cedar forest under the lake which I'll need to find pictures of. He also told us that the Lodge at Lake MacDonald (I think early 20thC) was built in the Swiss style to try and tempt tourists to 'see America first' rather than go to the Alps. 

Had a drink at the Swiss style lodge before returning to the campsite to make dinner. 

St Mary Lake
Lots of views from the 'Going to the Sun' road below. 


Jackson Glacier 





Stream on the walk of the Cedars

The walk of the Cedars had a few of these haiku's dotted around 

These 1930s red buses still run tours 
Boat trip on Lake MacDonald 

Back at Apgar Campground 


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