With Montana, it is Love Part 1
Our first solo stop was the iconic Lake McDonald, with its stunning mountain backdrop, clear waters, and colorful stones that seemed too vivid and perfect to be real. Standing there, seeing it all in person after viewing countless photographs, felt overwhelming, as if I couldn’t quite take it all in. Our next stop was the historic Lake McDonald Lodge, a Swiss chalet-style lodge built in 1913. Inside, the lodge’s great room featured beautiful, multi-tiered, hanging lamps with shades recreated from the original 1927 designs that were created by the Blood Indian Tribe. The originals were made of deer skin but had succumbed to the elements and had badly deteriorated. These lamps vividly depict the lives and stories of the tribe during the early 1900s—a colorful piece of Montana’s history preserved within the lodge.
Then came what would become our most grueling day in Glacier: an 11.5-mile hike to Grinnell Glacier. This trail, starting at Swiftcurrent Lake in the Many Glacier area, had an altitude gain of over 1,800 feet. Glacier National Park is divided into three regions—West Glacier, East Glacier, and Many Glacier—and this hike took us deep into the heart of the park. It took about seven hours to complete, and I’m thankful I didn’t fully grasp the challenge ahead, or I might have reconsidered! The first half of the trail was an uphill climb, and being terrified of heights, my determination was truly tested. With sheer drop-offs on one side and narrow trails shared with hikers going in both directions, I hugged the rock walls as tightly as I could. My husband’s advice to “just look at your feet, don’t look down” became my mantra.
Despite the challenges, the views on the way up were breathtaking, with the turquoise waters of Grinnell Lake sparkling below. The hiking community’s spirit was uplifting as fellow hikers encouraged us to keep going, promising that the destination was worth the effort. And indeed, it was. At the top, with the temperature dropping and the wind picking up, we were rewarded with the serene sight of the glacier-fed lake—a sight so peaceful and beautiful it made every step worthwhile. We found a sheltered spot behind a large rock to enjoy our lunch and rest our weary legs before beginning the descent. On the way down, we were greeted by a bighorn sheep sunning itself on a rock beside the trail. He was so close I could have reached out and touched him. It was hard to comprehend that I was sharing the trail with such a magnificent animal. By the time we reached Many Glacier Hotel, at the end of the trail, I had snapped dozens of pictures, none of which truly captured the beauty we had experienced. We then drug our weary bodies to the nearest sofa, completely spent, but triumphant.
Following a restorative night’s sleep, we headed to East Glacier for a hike along the Three-Falls Trail, followed by a visit to Fisher Cap Lake in Many Glacier, where we hoped to spot moose. The lake did not disappoint—we saw a cow moose feeding in the middle of the lake with her calf nearby. We sat and watched them for several minutes, overwhelmed by their size and beauty. By this point, my nature-loving soul felt full to bursting. And yet, the wonders kept coming; on our way out of the park, we saw a momma black bear and her two cubs. This was the first of the eight black bears we would see during our stay.
My desire is to offer you a glimpse of this unspoiled paradise, where dramatic snow-capped peaks, 700 miles of scenic trails, colorful wildflower meadows, and sparkling turquoise lakes come together to create one of the most breathtaking places on earth. Since I am unable to do that in this limited space, I hope you will allow me to finish my trip reflections in my next article. Until then,
Rhonda S. Kelley, Executive Director
Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce