So it seems I’ve been slacking on my National Park visits this year! Glacier National Park marks number 18 on my list and the first of 2014. Jason and I flew into Missoula, hopped in a rental car and made our way to this gorgeous section of big sky country. While the scenery in the park is truly one of a kind, it was also saddening to learn that with current warming trends, the remaining glaciers in this area will be gone by 2030.

We spent the first night at the Village Inn at Apgar, a 1960’s style motel situated right on the shores of Lake McDonald. This view was just after sunrise (which was uneventful) but the water was so peaceful and we took a nice stroll around the lake.

Views ascending the Going-to-the-Sun-Road

We stayed 2 nights at the historic Many Glacier Hotel on Swiftcurrent Lake. The Swiss themed hotel was completed in 1915 and intended to draw visitors to the “American Alps.”

We took a boat tour of the nearby lakes and I was the first to spot this black bear on the hillside!

View of Swiftcurrent Lake and Grinnell Peak just steps from our hotel room.

Since we were limited for time, I had to choose one hike in the Many Glacier area. After reading recommendations, we settled on the 9.8 mile Iceberg Lake trail which lead us to the most spectacular views yet.

We were on the trail early and had the lake to ourselves!

Our last sunrise at Many Glacier. I was up each morning for sunrise (Jason still happily asleep, of course) and this one was just magical. Great way to end our trip!

Categories: Nature, TravelTags: Glacier National Park, Montana, national park, Nature, photography, Wildlife