It is rarely visited like the Grand Canyon or the Great Smoking Mountains, but Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. Packed with beautiful scenery in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, and along the Canadian border, the park is a dream come true for an outdoor enthusiast. But before you start packing your mountain and tent boots, here are 10 important things you should know before visiting.
The natural world is full of magic and magic.
The natural beauty here is immense and completely surrounds the tourists as they explore the 1,600-square-mile park. Snow-capped mountains, glistening blue lakes and glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and colorful wildflowers are just some of the attractions that travellers are likely to encounter. The pictures show the beauty of the scenery, but this is one place where you have to see it in order to believe it.
Climate change is affecting the environment rapidly.
Unfortunately, some of these miracles are in danger of disappearing as a result of climate change. You have probably heard of striking figures related to the park’s glaciers – of the estimated 150 glaciers that existed in 1850, only 26 (by definition, glaciers must cover at least 25 acres) remaining today and are rapidly melting. Scientists in the United States Geological Survey have estimated that they will be extinct within a century. In addition, due to low water levels, vegetation, wildlife and aquatic species will all have a negative impact.
The highway can be closed until July.
In 1932, Going-to-the-Sun Road was abolished, allowing visitors to cross the 50-mile stretch of the park on a two-lane highway. It crosses the Continental Divide Logan Pass and passes through many parts of the park. While the road is narrow and attracts white people in some places, it has beautiful scenery where visitors can get away and enjoy amazing scenery. However, depending on the level of snow, the road may not be fully reopened until July, and it closes most in October. Travelers can check the park’s website for details of daily road closures. Also, those who do not want to drive themselves can take a free hop-on, hop-off shuttle that runs from July to September.
Wildlife is shown.
While many visitors may be interested in seeing the ugly, black bears in the park, the official symbol of the park is actually a mountain goat. People are more likely to see these white animals than bears, beetles, and mountain lions that call Glacier National Park their home. In fact, The New York Times recently wrote about why you may encounter goats on your trail – creatures prefer the salt found in urine to passengers and where there are more people, fewer animals eat.
However, taking precautionary measures is very important. Especially for pedestrians in small-scale trafficking areas or in groups under the age of four, it is important to know the safety of the bear and the mountain range. Frequent clapping and talking can stop bears. We also recommend that you carry a can of bear spray (a non-toxic non-toxic aerosol spray that temporarily paralyzes animals), in the event that it encounters aggression. Visitors should always know what to do in case an animal enters and read the park’s wildlife watching guidelines.
Water is the leading cause of death.
Bear attacks may be the most eye-catching when they happen, but the first cause of death in the park is actually water. In fact, there have been only ten bear attacks in the park’s history. Instead, it is fast, cold streams, cold lakes, and deep glaciers that can cause death by hypothermia and drowning. With 563 streams, 26 glaciers, and 762 lakes within the park, there are many potential for water-related hazards. Avoid slippery rocks and logs, avoid fast-moving streams, and wear a life jacket while in boats or kayaks to keep yourself safe.
There are various ways of travelling the mountains.
Whether you want an easy, difficult, popular, or quiet climb, there is a clue to it. Glacier National Park has 151 trails, divided into five valleys and measures a total length of 745.6 miles. The Hidden Lake Overlook route starts at Logan Pass, which is the highest point you can reach by car, making it a common sight for those driving Going-to-the-Sun Road. It’s easy and fast, to travel 1.4 miles (one way) with the full advantage of a height of 460 meters. The only deceptive spot was the quick snowstorm where I could see many well-dressed flip-flops falling.
Currently, the Grinnell Glacier route measures 5.3 miles (one way) and has an altitude of 1,600 meters. Given that this hike requires approximately a full day, you may not encounter many crowds along the way. But no matter where you are in the park, most of the trails with a good location are easily accessible.
Accommodation from camps to luxury hotels.
Tent lovers and budget travellers can stay at one of the 13 camping sites ($ 10-30) throughout the park. Some may be set aside, while others may be the first to arrive. Most have fire pits, bathrooms and dumps, but some do not have running water and toilets. For those who want luxury in the home, there is a limited number of hotels, motels, inns, and accommodations available. Most of the Hlacier Hotel has beautiful Swift current Lake areas, and Lake McDonald Lodge is a countryside with cozy rooms. Wherever you want to stay, be sure to book early (except for camps that do not allow booking), as they are filled out quickly, especially during the peak months of July and August.
Summer, not surprisingly, is the high point for tourists.
Glacier Park is open 365 days a year, but most visitors arrive during the warm summer months. In 2016, the park saw 2.9 million tourists (up from 2.3 million in 2015), an estimated 1.5 million arriving in July and August, according to the National Park Service. By comparison, 31,000 were visited in November, 21,000 were visited in March, and 183,000 arrived in May. The July 2017 figures showed a 23 percent increase in tourism, with more than a million people coming to the park.
Summer is probably the best time to visit, as the weather is pleasant, the roads are open, and the trails can be easily navigated without snow. That is, visitors should expect the popular park areas, car parks, and roads to be busy. In addition, most of the camp areas are completely filled by 9 p.m.
There is more to do than climb mountains.
Hiking can be a daunting task for travellers, but there is much more to keep tourists busy. Kayaking programs, led by bodyguards, sailors and boats, InstaMeets photo grammars, horseback riding, and stargazing are all offered. During the winter months, back-country skiing is also common. Check out the park calendar for upcoming events.
If you can’t visit, you can see a park with webcams.
While we certainly recommend seeing the beauty of the garden in person, if you are not able to take this trip right now, or want to see your favorite place after a visit, the National Park Service has several webcams set up everywhere. From the clear waters of Lake McDonald’s, to the Goat Haunt camera on Waterton Lake for a Canadian view, you can see it all in real time.
