Lake McDonald

Created in 1910, Glacier National Park, located in northwestern Montana on the U.S./Canadian border, provides over one million acres of habitat and protection for a wonderful variety of wildlife and wildflowers. Historic lodges preserve the ambience of nineteenth century travel for twentieth century visitors.

The geologic history of Glacier National Park is read in the numerous exposed layers of Precambrian sedimentary formations. These extremely well preserved sediments date back to over 1 billion years. Subsequent sculpting by massive bodies of ice has transformed this area into a dramatic example of glacial landforms. Today several small alpine glaciers of relatively recent origin dot the mountains.

Due to its geographic location and geologic history, Glacier National Park contains a particularly rich biological diversity of plant and animal species. This combination of spectacular scenery, diverse flora and fauna, and relative isolation from major population centers have combined to make Glacier National Park the center of one of the largest and most intact ecosystems in North America.

Glacier National Park and Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta were joined together by the governments of Canada and the United States in 1932 as Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the first park of its kind in the world.

Both parks have been designated Biosphere Reserves. In December of 1995 they were jointly designated the "Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park World Heritage Site."

For current information visit the Glacier National Park website. Check out the webcams. See also the Glacier National Park Conservancy website.

I visited Glacier National Park in August 1997 and briefly in June 1998.

Two roads, one inside and one outside, give access to trailheads and Kintla and Bowman Lakes on the west side of the Park.

Boundary Mountains, Kintla Lake

Rainbow Peak, Square Peak, Bowman Lake

Rainbow Peak, Square Peak, Bowman Lake

Boundary Mountains, Kintla Lake

From Lake McDonald, the Going To The Sun Road takes you through the spectacular scenery across Logan Pass to the east side of the Park.