Whenever anyone asks, "So, what National Park is your favorite, so far?"  We always reply, "The ONE we are visiting today!"  And so if you asked us the same question today...We would have to shout it to the top of Glacier National Park's snow covered mountaintops..."IT'S GLACIER NATIONAL PARK!!!!"  Today was truly an awe-inspiring day as we visited Montana's Glacier National Park.  First of all, Montana in itself is amazing.  (It is the Big Sky Country for a reason!)  As we're driving to our destination through flatlands of grain, straw, hay, and massive pastures with Angus, Longhorns, sheep, and goats, it was a great surprise to see snowy peaks rising up before us.  And that was just the first of many amazing surprises at the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park World Heritage Site!    (That's the last time I'll use Glacier's formal title.)  After our first stop at the St. Mary's Visitor Center on the east side of the park, we headed up the famous "Going-to-the-Sun" Road.  This is a 50 mile, slow-paced trip to Logan's Pass (at the continental divide) and then down to the west side of the park at Apgar  (park visitor area).  The pictures that we've taken will only give you a glimpse of the amazing glaciers, mountains, wildlife, waterfalls, and more that you can expect on a trip to Glacier NP.

Capt. Lewis, Sacajawea, & Capt. Clark in front of a pirogue that had
to have wheels added in order for the heavy boat to go around
the Great Falls of Montana.  (These wood carvings greet everyone
as they come into the campground where we've been staying!)

The only bears we've seen...so far!

Headed into Glacier NP

Heading into Glacier

Just outside the St. Mary's Visitor Center (east)

St. Mary Lake...a glacier fed lake

St. Mary Lake

Headed up the "Going-to-the-Sun" Road

Beautiful view as we head up GTTS road

Glacier peaks...they refer to them as "horns"

St. Mary Lake

Glacier NP vista

St. Mary Lake with Goose Island

Close-up of Goose Island

We weren't the ONLY Hoosiers in the park today...this group
of Indiana University geology students were there today collecting rocks.
(I'm sure they wouldn't use them to throw at Purdue fans!)

Rock formation in Glacier NP

View of glaciers at Glacier NP

If you look closely you can see people playing on the snow & glaciers

Just north of the Logan Pass Visitor Center

Looking back down the valley from Logan's Pass

There were beautiful, cascading waterfalls throughout the park

Horn in Glacier NP

Snow-covered mountains in July

Horn at Glacier NP

Mountains and forests in Glacier

Mr. Mountain Goat came to see what was going on today.

Beautiful Mountain Goat that just came wander down by Logan Pass

The Going-to-the-Sun Road...headed WAY down to the west side.

Immense Valley View in Glacier NP

Water falling from the melting snow & glaciers

Headed down GTTS road

Snowy mountain

Amazing flowers, evergreens and glacier carved rocks

A good view of how the glacier cut through this valley thousands of years ago.
The glaciers were over a mile deep at that time, cutting their way through the rock.

One of the historic coaches used as a touring car.
  They were refurbished by Ford. 

Another one of the antique touring cars used at Glacier. 
We did NOT choose to pay $75 per person to ride in it!

Cascading glacier waterfall

The waterfall in the center, flowing from the melting snow,
is called "Bird Woman" waterfall.  In the Shoshone language,
Sacagawea means "bird woman"...so this was probably
named to honor her.

Telephoto image of "Bird Woman" waterfall

MacDonald River



MacDonald River...note the "jade" color of the glacier water.

MacDonald glacial stream

MacDonald Lake

MacDonald Lake with boaters

Beautiful glacial lake, MacDonald Lake

Driving out of the western side of Glacier NP

Trees damaged by a fire, area is recovering on its own.
Leaving the west side of Glacier NP

Stream running through Lewis & Clark National Forest, just outside Glacial NP

Statue of John F. Stevens, the engineer largely responsible for
the construction of the BNSF (Burlington Northern, & Santa Fe) Railroad
to the Glacier area.  This brought tourists and industry to this area. 

Saying goodbye to the amazing Glacier National Park!
We'll BE BACK!