Glacier National Park is one of the grandest places in our country. No single photograph will ever do this place justice. Located in northern Montana's Rocky Mountains, its remote location tends to filter out non-committed travelers. The park still has 25 active glaciers, but you might want to visit by 2030 to see them.

Before entering the park, we camped one foggy night at Glacier Meadows outside the west entrance. We were already amazed with the scenery, and we were only at the tip of the iceberg. Before sunrise that next morning, we got a campsite at Apgar Campground in West Glacier where we stayed for 3 nights next to shimmering Lake McDonald. When we got to actually see the lake for the first time, the water was so still it looked like a gigantic mirror reflecting some of the most majestic mountains we’ve ever seen.

Shuttle buses make stops at the campground which lessens traffic and omissions throughout the park. Note: Glacier does not allow vehicles over 21' going up the mountains for a good reason. The main & most scenic route in Glacier is called Going To The Sun Road. On the way up zigzagging through the mountains that first time, the clouds were heavy, so we were blind to the epic surrounding scenery. The clouds eventually lifted and we were both speechless! After shuttling to Logan Pass, you can get on another shuttle or chose from a few hiking options. We chose to hike (the whole way) to Hidden Lake. It's a 5.4 round trip hike that should be done earlier in the day to avoid crowds. We returned to our campsite and built a fire to rest our muscles.

After a day of smooth kayaking in Lake McDonald and trying the huckleberry ice cream, we set out for another day of hiking with no concrete plans. When we got back up to Logan Pass, checked out a glacier or two and decided on the Highline Trail that runs above Going To The Sun Road. After the first 4 miles of epic views, we stopped for lunch. Another 4 miles later, we were just past the mid point and stopped to purchase 2L of water for $10 at the Granite Park Chalet. We weren’t prepared for the hot weather and amount of water we needed. The last 4 tiring miles were all downhill without much shade to The Loop where we caught the last shuttle of the day back to camp.

We left Apgar campground heading east and tried to get at campsite at Many Glacier with no luck, so we stayed at Chewing Blackbone just outside the park. Our last day in Glacier, we took the boat tour for a shortcut hike to Grinnell Lake. This is where we saw the most wildlife including black bears, mountain goats and a young moose taking an afternoon dip. It was late by the time we got back, so we boondocked in the parking lot at Many Glacier Hotel. We saw so many stars in the sky that night!

Glacier National Park nature & landscape photography by Lisa Beggs

Year: 2016