Where is the Glacier?? | GNP Experience | Glacier National Park, Montana
Why we went:
Guys, we are in the middle of a pandemic…so I know, I know, stay home, stay safe. But honestly, we thought it would be critically important to get out of the house in a space we could distance (and wear masks) but also enjoy our time. We didn’t really feel like backpacking or feel like getting too dirty, so we started looking into national parks.
…Then a friend and their partner said they were going to Glacier National Park , so…naturally, we tagged along.
MAN, was it worth it. When you live in Seattle Montana is not actually that far away. I mean, that is if an 8-hour car ride isn’t that far away. For me, that’s nothing. So we did it.
Where we stayed:
After some research, we decided to stay in West Glacier Village, which is basically RIGHT inside the park. Like maybe a min drive to the gate. Lodging in West Glacier Village consisted of Camping, Cabins, and a Motel. We decided on the Motel, ‘cause comfy beds…The room was really cute, but very small and honestly felt like we stepped into a time machine to the ’60s or ’70s, no fridge, no microwave (and I brought a whole box of popcorn), wood-paneled walls and the shower head was at EYE LEVEL! keep in mind I am 5’3”…But I tell you what it was clean, tidy, and they took really good precautions for COVID-19. (See national park webstie for COVID Guildines and updates) Overall 4.5 Stars from me :) .5 would have been if there was a microwave.
HOWEVER, if you’re a person that likes to travel whilst having fast wifi, and phone service….West Glacier Village isn’t for you. We had no wifi in our motel room, nor did we have phone service except at 1 am! sigh
But I tell you this, I LOVED it. Being able to unplug, and be with the person I love, and friends I truly enjoy being around and seeing incredible sights were incredible.
The West Glacier Village includes everything you need and technically you don’t even need to leave except to go inside the park. There is a gas station, a food truck, three restaurants, a deli, a coffee stand, and so much more. Obviously, things closer to national parks are a little more expensive, so if you’re going to Glacier on a budget, eating in the village might be a little spendy, but lodging was just right!
What we saw:
Going to the glacier is like many parks. While you’re driving up and through the gate, you have no idea what to expect until you see it!!! The drive into the park is trees trees trees than all of a sudden you see it, “it” is the PEAKS. Ten the mountains, then the lakes, then all of a sudden you are on this tretcherous road on the side of mountains going up and up and up at less than 20 miles an hour or less.
The experince is near magical.
Our first day we met with our friends and did a sunset drive up the road to see the peaks in the evening after some Buffalo Wild Wings in Kalispell. The drive in the evening is beautiful, the way down….you never know what to expect. Just on the way down, we saw a bighorn sheep, a goal, and a deer! All just hanging out on Going to the Sun road.
Our next few days we spent hiking small trails, seeing more of the incredible wildlife and experiencing great times with friends. Our second day we decided to rent some Lake gear and go Kayak and Canoe Lake McDonald. (Ended up with a cute shin burn..thanks yoga pants), then finished it off with Hidden lakes hike at Logan Pass, and then whiskey tasting in Glacier Distillery and Panda express with a sunset view at Lake McDonald.
Our last full day we had to ourselves so we drove the whole Going to the Sun road as far as we could go, with a few stops for photos and relaxation, and ended the afternoon with the Avalanch lake hike. WOW…. A Glacial Lake?! Like what?! It’s so pretty…. It a popular trail, but def wide enough at most parts to stay distanced along the way. Much worth the 2 miles up and down. Next time ill bring a bathing suit to jump in!
Finally, we spent some time exploring ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY! and see if you can spot the surprises in the sky (HINT: ones a comment, and theres a galaxy in the other).
What the internet is saying:
Before going on this little adventure we were warned by the internet and other people about a few things; crowds, COVID, and closures. Now. I tell you I am taking this pandemic seriously… I work with a vulnerable population in my day job and am surrounded, by immunocompromised people. In my research about Glacier Nat’l Park we were finding that “half” of the park was closed, there were “exceptionally large crowds” and no one was wearing masks.
Welp, I tell you this not all of this is true. I went to Glacier a few years ago when it was fully open with my best friend Michele. This time around there were fewer people than two years ago. Even with the park half closed you could still do the driving to the sun road, which is the most important part of the whole park. People were very respectful of wearing masks, (with the exception of the Trumpers*). For the most part, people were respectful on the trails putting on masks when passing by, or staying away from you.
We even spent some time in Kalispell, MT for dinner and they were taking all the precautions that I think more states need to do as well. It was really refreshing and nice to see people complying and being respectful of others.
So if you’re thinking about going to the park, I respect any decision your making but please remember to stay safe, be distanced, and don’t be a butt head.
**OKAY, this is a personal blog, if you don’t like the things that I say please go away. I will try to remain neutral, but I won’t remain silent about the bad things in our world.
Thank you for stopping by!