Met the Miller clan in Montana last weekend for a short trip to Glacier National Park. The place is beautiful, although staying in a touristy lodge isn’t exactly my idea of a mountain getaway. But, it was the perfect place to stay to accommodate everyone’s needs.
Ben and I flew into Missoula, had an overnight stay with our friends, and then drove the 3 hours to Glacier the next day. Driving along Flathead Lake near Polson was magic – the water was so clear and an amazing blue/green color that really made us say “wow”. The scenery from there continually impressed us the rest of the way into the park. Our lodge was situated right on top of Lake McDonald – one too many steps and we’d be going for a swim (something I don’t particularly like to do in cold water) – with multiple peaks surrounding the lake on several sides. Each night happy hour would begin around 5pm and we would sit on the water’s edge sipping fine wine (I did, to my astonishment, stumble upon Te Awa Chardonnay in a local store in Missoula – I’d been looking for this wine ever since I left NZ!!) and eating exquisite Wisconsin cheese (of the spreadable variety) as the sun set over the mountains.
Of course we were at Glacier to do some hiking, too, so Ben and I set out on day 1 with the intentions of walking about 6 miles or so. Well, 6 turned into 12 about 5.5 hours later. We starting the adventure at the Loop Trailhead and continued about 4 miles all uphill to the Glacier Park Chalet. At this juncture of the trail we decided the 7.6 miles to Logan Pass wasn’t all daunting of a task so we trekked onward and upwards. As the trail cut into the side of the mountain, rather than up the mountain, we passed 2 different herds of big-horn sheep, lots of pika and marmots, and a momma and baby goat. Wild flowers shot up through the rocky crags and plains in reds, whites, yellows and purples, but I can only imagine how the mountain sides must explode in an array of colors in the spring. As we got closer to Logan Pass, hordes of hikers passed us in the opposite direction. What we soon realized was that these people were trekking the “easy” way – 7.6 miles of moderate terrain to the chalet and then 4 miles of total downhill to the end. Huh, toughen up people. We heard that 75% of people who visit the park never make it more than 5 feet from their car and the average time spent in the park is 4 hours. Wow.
Needless to say I was a little sore the next day and wasn’t feeling quite so adventurous. 6 miles was all I had in me – 3 up and 3 down. The view at the top was worth the hike but the walk down was a bit rough on my back. I have to say I much prefer going up. That evening we enjoyed our happy hour on a boat that was chartered just for our small group of 9. We got a tour of Lake McDonald and heard snippets of history about the park, the peaks, the lakes, the visitors, etc. A very nice treat to end the day.
On the last day we went out for a short walk before our drive back to Missoula for our flight home.
Next time the backcountry calls.
At the moment I am sitting in Lucca, Italy, thinking about the racing that is coming up in France. With the national team, I will race in a 5 day tour in the Ardeche region of France beginning on Tuesday. After 2 days of rest, we will then start a 6 day tour around our little paradise here in Toscana. 11 days of racing to whip me into shape before World’s. Perfect…I hope.
Til next time I have internet….pace and buona notte.
M
I have been to Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Arches, Captiol Reef, Yellowstone, Yosemite, etc, but never to Glacier National Park. Thanks for the photos, it makes me think to go there someday! Good luck at Ardeche, Toscana. My press buddies/friends will skip Arceche but they see you at Toscana!
BBR