June 7, 2000
Helena to Glacier National Park
Starting odometer = 3073
Distance = 272 miles
It is well-nigh impossible for me to put into words the splendor that is Glacier National Park. Without a doubt, it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. The mountains, the glaciers, the plantlife, the waterways... wow.
Even the roads to Glacier abound with beauty.
Glacier here I come! I pound north along US-287 and US-89. What a wonderful pair of roads. I highly recommend them. Long straights with plenty of 2nd and 3rd gear turns. Oh, if I just wasn't in an Alero! The way it lists side-to-side, I feel like I'm driving a weeble.
Park Ranger Jodi greets visitors at the park's East Glacier entrance.
St. Mary's lake sits on the eastern end of Rising To The Sun Road. On the right, Wild Goose Island is a favorite of various forms of birdlife.
The first trail I take leads me to Baring Falls.
Along the way to Baring Falls I hear some chirping. Being the nature expert that I am, I start inspecting a tree looking for the bird. I cannot find it. I circle around and around the tree looking for a nest. Finally, I look down in disgust at my inability to find the source of the chirping... and I find this guy watching me, laughing... and chirping. Bastard.
Over the years, these creeks carve Sundrift Gorge and Avalanche Gorge into the granite.
Below St. Mary Falls, the creek splits into two.
The slowly melting glaciers cause the water trickles that become creeks and rivers. This is a section of the Weeping Wall.
Jackson Glacier remains from the last Ice Age.
Views from below and above Virginia Falls -- the most impressive waterfall I can easily reach.
McDonald Creek winds its way through much of the park.
McDonald Creek empties into McDonald Lake.
Above Bird Woman Falls.
