June 28th, 2006
Glacier National Park - Drive to the Sun Road

If there is heaven on earth… Nothing had prepared us for the gorgeous, majestic peaks of the Glacier National Park. We started on the Drive to the Sun Road that coasted along Lake McDonald through the typical temperate forest. However, a few miles on the road, the sight changed, we passed from bend after bend of awe-inspiring sight of jagged peaks jutting into the sky, cradling numerous glaciers around their bellies. Hundreds of waterfalls roared down the melting glaciers, just a thin stream from far, but roaring deluge of water from us close. The road was not for the faint of heart, as it snaked up hugging the sides of the massive mountains. The glaciers had eroded these giants into craggy peaks and sharp ridges. These massive structures surround you like giant ramparts of some ancient forts.

The highlight of the day was 8+ mile hike to the Granite Park Chalet. We climbed some 2500’ over 4.8 miles. The first mile was fairly easy, but soon my lungs starting burning. In another mile, I had gotten into a rhythm – stick, 2, 3, 4, stick, 2, 3, 4… On and on we climbed, our pace slowing over time – stick.., 2.., 3.., 4.., stick.., 2.., 3.., 4.. I was really wary of an encounter of the bear kind, so I prodded Joe to yodel every few hundred feet, just as the park ranger had suggested – which Joe did with gusto. However, the only wild life that we encountered were a couple of deer that were curious enough to walk over to us, some hare, a lot of over fed chipmunks, some grouse and a cowboy with 2 horses ;-). The view from the chalet was amazing. We were almost eye to eye with the gorgeous glacier covered peaks. Large meadows filled with Lily of the Valley surrounded us in all the directions. It was all worth the effort in the end.

We checked into the historic Many Glacier hotel inside the National Park’s Many Glacier entrance for the next two days.