FRiday to Glacier Park

Today was a day of botched planning but a new discovery! The weather was great today; high only around 70.

We were sad to leave Prince of Wales, it’s a magical place. Fun breakfast in the dining room of French Roast and Hikap Berry Pancakes. On the way our of the park, we drove up the Red Rock Canyon Road, about 10 miles up the valley. The steam running through the red rocks gorge is very picturesque with the mountains in view. Short hike options.  Along the way we saw TWO bears with cubs! Wildlflowers abound!

Once out of Waterton, we were back out on the “prairie” before heading south toward Glacier Park. First stop was the road to Many Glacier Hotel. After 5-6 miles the road turns to a horrible gravel, pot holed road for another 5 miles. We reached the park’s entrance station only to be told that since we didn’t have a reservation we could not proceed! What?? New to us. We knew the Going to the Sun Road required reservations (only if going west to east) but we didn’t know about Many Glacier. So we had to turn around and go back on that awful road. An hour lost. Moods foul.

The botched plan was that I thought the entrance to the park, and Going to the Sun Road, was at East Glacier. Turns out I was wrong, its at St Mary’s. We had a reservation at something called the Glacier Park Lodge at East Glacier (knew nothing about it), another 45 minutes down the road. So, off we went, knowing we’d have to come back this way in the morning, then proceed through the park on the Going to the Sun Road. It will be better to do that in the morning anyway with the sun to your back.

Well, we turned the corner for the Glacier Park Lodge and Oh My! Its one of the old Canadian National RR hotels. Built by the same folks who built  Many Glacier, Prince of Wales and other Chalets found in the park. Built in 1913 its magnificent! So glad we found it, by mistake! Our room is quaint, no TV, crappy internet but lots of character! We had a fine dinner in the main dining room, but there’s also a lounge, coffee shop, gift shop. Wonderful landscaping with a garden path full of  Lupins.

Tomorrow we’ll go through Glacier and end up in Missoula. The weather should be getting warmer, there’s an “excessive heat warning” to the south. (94 at home today)

(sorry, photos in reverse order!)

Prince of Wales in the morning sun!

Breakfast table