How was I to Know there were Two Glaciers?

We are leaving the third of three National Parks.  First, the Grand Tetons which I liked least, then Yellowstone which was unique, and finally, Glacier which is my favorite.  The reason I like Glacier best is that the scenery was overwhelming.  This is ONE of dozens of pictures I just casually snapped all over the park.

Second, there's a road here mostly built during the Great Depression which is hewn from a mountain, and goes over Logan Pass.  

Third, we saw real wildlife here up close.  Drake got to not only see a bear; he got to see a bear and cubs.  We also got to see a Big Horn Sheep, who politely waited for us to pass by, so he could resume walking on his trail.

Fourth, I hiked the best trail EVER.  The High Line Trail here starts at Logan Pass and you hike along the rim of a mountain.  The above picture was snapped on that hike.  

Fifth, there were actually still some very lovely alpine wildflowers throughout the park and especially on the trail.  As we all know, I never met a flower whose picture I didn't take.

Sixth, I got to ride in a 1936 touring car on the Road to the Sun through Logan Pass with interesting historical commentary by the driver.  Example: The US government coerced the Blackfoot Indian Tribe to sell 1 million acres (Glacier National Park) to it for $1.5 million dollars.  Most of the Blackfeet people still regard this as a lease rather than an outright sale, and until the 1940's had hunting and fishing rights in the park.  They had one chief at the time who had authority to make the deal, and the tribe was so incensed at his acquiescence, they changed their governmental form to a council as a result of his signature on the sale/lease. 

Seventh, I got to see a 1915 hotel (Many Glaciers) still in operation nestled among the mountains and fronting a turquo lake.  This was the other side of Logan Pass, and it took us almost 3 hours to drive over from the west side of the park.  This is the bear hang out of the park - fewer people over here - and sure enough, Drake got to see a real bear.  

He had just given up after panning the slopes for bears with the binoculars.  He was pretty discouraged, and just as we were leaving the area we saw a knot of about 30 people standing beside the road.  Now, on our third park, we know this means that someone has spotted SOMETHING.  In Yellowstone we saw bison and elk, but we were hoping for a bear sighting here.  We saw not just a bear, but a bear and 2 cubs from about 25 yards away (with a Ranger in attendance).  The is the mom bear, cub pictures below in the link.

Eighth, the condo we rented here was absolutely lovely.  It had a big flat screen television, a nice kitchen filled with excellent appliances, and good linens.  It was in the middle of a connifer forest, and we saw wild turkeys and deer on our way to the park each morning.

Ninth, the weather was what we were hoping and expecting.  The Grand Tetons were covered in smoke from wildfires.  Yellowstone was just downright hot - mid to upper 80's.  Glacier was just right - nippy in the morning, and balmy 70's in the afternoons.  It was perfect hiking weather.    

I did learn that there are really TWO Glacier National Parks - the east and west sides connnected by Logan Pass.  They have totally different topography, as well as different ecosystems.  We saw mostly the west side this time with a quick day trip over to the east.  We didn't see the Canadian Waterton Park, and there is much more hiking here that is accessible to me.  This is the park I would love to see in June or July when the wildflowers are blooming.  We will probably try to see the Canadian part of the park next time and stay in the quaint hotel on the east side.

The pictures this time really are spectacular.  Enjoy.

https://picasaweb.google.com/jalyss1/2012GlacierNationalPark?authkey=Gv1sRgCOfvibGLpeefcg