SPRING IS IN THE AIR! My 2019 Glacier National Park Trip Part 4
with Grinnell Point gazing down upon it from across Swiftcurrant Lake. One of the more iconic photos from Glacier National Park
The second part of day two began at about 5 PM when I awoke from my refreshing nap and decided to see what the evening would bring. This time, however, when I left the KOA and headed north, it was to Montana State Highway 17, otherwise known as the Chief Mountain Highway. This road connects Glacier with Waterton Lakes National Park. This is Canada’s version of Glacier National Park. Combined, it is known as the Glacier-Waterton Lakes International Peace Park.
My brother said Chief Mountain was loaded with Aspen trees, and I wanted to scout it out for our Fall Foliage Trip later in the year. On the way back, I stopped at Many Glacier, and this time was able to take much better photos than those earlier in the day.
Chief Mountain has a unique look to it. Rather than the typical triangular shape that other mountains have, this one looks like a giant rectangle with the top portion of the front face cut out. We were hoping to see this mountain with a carpet of golden aspen in front of it when we took our friend Becky to Glacier last fall. Unfortunately, that part of the United States was deluged with four feet of snow the very days we were going to be there. Yes, I said FOUR feet of snow. That plus the extreme winds that preceded this record snowfall were not conducive for safe driving so we had to cancel that trip. Oh well, as the Brooklyn Dodgers used to say, wait til’ next year.
On this trip, however, the rain let up, and I was able to get some good summer-time photos while driving by Chief Mountain. The entire 29-mile road, that connects the United States Glacier National Park with Canada’s Waterton Lakes is full of wonders. Without a passport, I could not traverse the entire road, and I wanted to get back for round two of the Many Glacier area before the sun set for the day.
From St. Mary, US-89, which dead ends at the Canadian border, travels northward for about thirteen miles before veering to the northeast. At this fork, the Chief Mountain Highway begins its scenic journey northwest, first through the Blackfeet Reservation, before traversing the extreme northeastern border of Glacier National Park and then entering Canada’s Alberta Province. At the border, this road becomes Provincial Route 6. It will take you to Canada’s Highway 5 at the east edge of Waterton Lakes National Park. If you ever get the chance, you must go to this iconic park and see the Prince of Wales Hotel. I saw it once and have longed to go back ever since. Mere words cannot describe the incredible view you will behold. If you have never owned a passport, this would be the time to get one. Just that one scene would make it worth the effort. I intend to purchase a passport sometime this year, though with the Coronavirus problem I probably will not be able to get up there anytime soon. The good thing about a passport; they last for ten years.
Although there are six peaks, in the Rocky Mountain Front range, that top out over 10,000 feet, there are none more prominent than Chief Mountain, named Ninaistako by the Blackfeet Nation, which rises 9,085 feet above sea level. I drove along a good portion of the southern section of this 200-mile long fault known as the Lewis Overthrust on my way to Glacier. Chief Mountain is sacred to many Native-Americans and especially to the Blackfeet.
I said before that I wanted to visit Many Glacier, again, on my retreat from Chief Mountain and was able to get some really nice pictures on the return trip. This area is known as the “Switzerland of North America.” The more prominent peaks around this spot are Mount Gould, Grinnell Point and Mount Wilbur. The Many Glacier Hotel, at 106 years of age, is the largest hotel within the park. It is situated along the eastern shore of Swiftcurrent Lake. As World War 1 was kicking off in Europe, Louis J. Hill the president of the Great Northern Railroad was establishing a series of hotels and back country chalets, with a Swiss chalet style-theme, in Glacier National Park. One of the more iconic photos of this magnificent park is the Many Glacier Hotel, from behind, with Mount Gould gazing down from across Swiftcurrent Lake. It is truly eye-popping.
from across Swiftcurrant Lake. Doug, I need your help on this. I don’t know the name of that mountain in the background!
With dusk settling in, it was time to head back to the KOA and my bed. I knew the next day would be a long one.
