Blogs from Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park, Montana, United States, North America

Luck is on our side. Our itinerary was based on going across Glacier National Park on the Going to the Sun Road, one of the most beautiful drives in the world. It is almost always open by July 1, and it never occurred to me when planning that it would not be open when we arrived to traverse it on July 13. The unusually heavy snows had presented unusual challenges in plowing, and it was a close thing. Where it crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass and just to the east, the snow cam top 80' or more. It opened today for the first time this year. We were following the news with some anxiety until the last minute. It generally opens in early June, and today is the latest opening ever. The road cuts ... read more

Entry 18: Glacier National Park Day Two: Going to the Sun Road Drive August 4, 2010 If one has visited Yellowstone National Park, it’s impossible not to try to compare it to Glacier National Park. Relatively close together in distance and both known for their remoteness in regards to where most Americans live, each Park is spectacular in its own regard. Both Parks rely heavily on their paved thoroughfares, which allow examination of scenic vistas from the comfort of a 40-foot RV. After all, to reach any of the snowy peaks in the distance by foot would require much materials, skills, and time. Glacier has only 1 main road, which runs through the southern end of the park, rising from McDonald Lake at Apgar campground, up, through and around mountains, and cresting the top of the ... read more

We were blessed with awesome weather today so decided to go up into the park for awhile. We are having dinner later with Montana Kerri, can't wait to see her. Going to the Sun Hwy. isn't open all the way yet. We drove up to Avalanche Pass and then back. They still have snow melting so once again the lakes and streams are full and beautiful. The pictures you see of the lodge are from Lake McDonald Lodge built in 1913. It is a beautiful well kept lodge. The lake you see is McDonald lake and the river that flows into it. After going as far as we could from the West entrance we stopped at Hungry Horse Dam. We got some more nice pics there. Montana is beautiful and so green! Yes, Kristen you would ... read more

Lake McDonald Lodge, Glacier National Park Tuesday September 1, 2009 On Tuesday Karen and I moved from the motel in Kalispell to the Lake McDonald Lodge that’s inside Glacier National Park. What an improvement this is over the roadside Econo Lodge. The McDonald Lodge is a small lakeside inn that was privately built here almost a hundred years ago. It’s now owned by the National Park and operated by a private vender. The building has been recently updated and is the nicest Inn we’ve stayed in at a National Park. Our first floor room is large, clean and has a nicely designed accessible bathroom. Food in the Inn’s restaurant is enjoyable and all the staff where very pleasant and helpful. This large lake has beautiful crystal clear water that allows you to see 40’ to the ... read more