Glacier National Park – The Heart of Paradise

Known as the crown of the continent, Glacier National Park certainly earns her nobility and title. Straddling the northern Rocky Mountains along the border between the United States and Canada, the union of Waterton National Park and Glacier National Park makes this the world’s first ‘International Peace Park’ and world heritage site. Originally designated by the respective nations, the partnership sought to manage wilderness values and embody an idea of peace.

With over 700 pristine turquoise lakes, dense alpine forests, 71 species of mammals that call this place home, and over 150 named mountain peaks towering above 8,000 feet; Glacier National Park is nothing short of breathtaking. The Blackfeet were the indigenous people roaming this land long before the white man settled in the west. Therefore, many of the mountain peaks are named to pay homage to the native tribe.

Nowadays, word of mouth, social media influence and marketing continue to capture the interest of many who flock to witness this piece of heaven. In fact, over three million visitors explore this majestic place annually during the months of July through October. A vast contrast from the 4,000 annual visitors noted in 1911; a year after it was established as the country’s 10^th national park.

Thanks to early protection efforts and preservation of the park along with millions of years of evolution, this landscape remains undisturbed. And so, these colossal icesheets, deep glacial grinding, ancient seas, tectonic movement, and natural forces over millennia have collectively composed and imprinted this geological marvel.  

Though many of the glaciers were thought to disappear by 2020 due to warmer temperatures, there are still at least 25 active glaciers remnant of the last Ice-Age. Jackson glacier is one of the largest in the park that can be easily viewed from an overlook on the east side and more interestingly, Piegan glacier which has shown no recession during this time.

Thanks to the thousands of workers and volunteers to date who have contributed and continue to make it possible for people of all ages and physical abilities to experience this impressive terrain, Going-to-the-Sun-Road is one of the most ambitious projects ever achieved.

An engineering feat of a fifty-mile-long road connecting the East and West side of the park with dramatic hairpin turns took over two decades to complete. One of the most scenic roads on earth, this spectacular drive will have you gasping and clutching at your seat around every bend.

Cascading waterfalls, fields of wildflowers, towering mountain peaks that plunge into valleys below covered in thick, lush pines and distant mountains that look like a sea of raging waves will seduce your every sense.

Going-to-the-Sun-Road takes you right to the heart of paradise and of course, the pinnacle of Glacier – Logan Pass – standing at just under 6,500 feet in elevation. Here you will almost certainly be greeted by the locals such as big horn sheep, mountain goats and even marmots that do not seem at all shy by human presence.

Of course, petting and feeding are never advised. Whilst we may share a common curiosity they evidently do not care for our modern lifestyles, gadgets, and intrusive behavior. Better to bring a heart full of appreciation than a bag full of food.

Another way to comfortably view these epic sights and enhance your Glacier experience is to be toured in one of the oldest touring fleets of vehicles in the world. The vintage red bus. With the roll back canvas tops for that fresh mountain air and broadened scenery, this iconic ride will take you on a journey of a tradition shared for a century when adventurous travel was done in style. Not to mention, vintage boats also symbolic of the two most classic ways of traveling through Glacier country.

But for those adventurous hearts who love to immerse themselves in the details of this majestic playground, there are over 700 miles of developed hiking trails. Hikers know there are many hidden gems within this mammoth piece of paradise. With such diverse terrain, sometimes it requires high mileage, steep climbs and even trudging through sketchy exposure. But whether it is a short hike or an extended backcountry trip, every step through these dense forests, rocky slopes or alpine meadows will guarantee maximum satisfaction.

Not to mention Triple Divide Peak which is a rare spire in the Rocky Mountains that forms a three-way continental divide where waters drain to the west into the Pacific, the east into the Atlantic, and far north into the Arctic.

And one would not want to miss visiting the only temperate rainforest within the park. Ladened with old growth cedar forest, this fantasy-like ecosystem stretches from the Pacific Northwest, inland to the western slopes of Glacier.

And after a long day of hard play and exploration, lodge in a Swiss style chalet originally built by the Great Northern Railway, stay in a primitive cabin, or unwind in one of the many front or back country campgrounds. Whatever the preferred accommodation or choice of rest, there is a common interest; a heart, mind and soul changing experience. And Glacier always delivers.  

It took only four days for my husband and I to fall head over heels in love with this paradise. Driving through high plains along the Missouri river for miles before catching first sight of the towering, majestic mountains, we had no idea of the utopia we were about to endeavor. Not even the bustling tourists or heavily congested roads waivered our eagerness to explore this diverse, beautiful landscape.

Saturated with the most impressive mountain peaks, lush alpine valleys, pristine blue/green lakes, streams, and rivers, echoing waterfalls, and vistas for miles, there is something spiritually moving. So moving it brought my husband to tears. The silent kind of tears that fall like the Weeping Wall along the Going to the Sun Road. The kind that comes from a soul altering experience. The kind that inspires you to reevaluate your life, sell everything you own, pack up and follow your heart right back into the bosom of this crown jewel.

You see, Glacier induces a sort of unavoidable awakening. You never leave this park the same as when you enter. It is more than a vacation, an escapism or even experience. It uplifts and inspires beyond comprehension and taps into the very core of your being.

The sensory stimulation is invigorating. Eye candy is an understatement. There are not enough superlatives for what the eyes witness. It is almost difficult to absorb the overwhelming beauty of a land so bountiful and other worldly. The vibrancy, clarity, color, lushness, grand vistas, power, and every fine detail of this place is palpably mesmerizing.

The sound of this liveliness can be even more thrilling. While the sounds of cars, people, stomping of feet and clicking of devices may be significant through high trafficked areas, just being close enough to a towering waterfall can drown out the standard city-like noise. And though the sound of a wild waterfall crashing onto rocks and pools of water below may be exhilarating, it is the not so dominant sounds one hears that are most enchanting.

Like the soft constant trickle of a stream. Or the small cascading falls of a gently flowing river that often make these a perfect lunch or rest spot for some Zen and relaxation. And those who meander deeper into the woods will discover that the best sound is the sound of silence.

Like the quiet under your feet cushioned by fallen pine needles. Or the silence of the wind that is heavily obstructed by lofty pines. Such quiet allows you to hear sounds one would not normally be accustomed to. Such as the whistle of a marmot, the loud knocking of a woodpecker, the call of a loon or high-pitched scream of a bull elk. Though one does not want to be too close to hear the hoof of a moose or grunt of a bear, all sounds maintain our excitement, awareness and even adrenaline.  

And if you are lucky enough, the rare thunderous sound of a glacier calving into the turquoise waters below, or the soft, melodic echo of a random nontypical native flute being played within an amphitheater will draw you into deep, spiritual appreciation.

The liveliness of the woods is a reminder of the space we share with other creatures and critters and our place in it. While some may feel nervous with every crackle of a branch or shuffle of shrubs, we are also never more present. When we allow the sound or silence of the woods to take over, we can be equally submerged into a sense of calm that arises from a state of presence and connectedness.

Of course, our nose and taste buds are not excluded from this Disneyworld of giving. Aside from the clean, crisp mountain air, the pine is a strong signature smell of Glacier. Even the sweet scent of wood over a campfire is delightful. But the real treat is the taste of ice-cold, fresh mountain water. Particularly when you want to quench your thirst during a long hike on a hot summer’s day.

And if you feel like an energy boost, feast on one of the bear’s favorite meals that can be found along most trails – huckleberries! These dark purple beads are a perfect blend of sweet and tangy goodness you will not be able to pry yourself away from. Once you start looking for these jeweled beauties, clusters, and clusters surface. Your taste buds and body will love you for this wild, organically grown, sweet explosion.

And then there are the inevitable body aches and pains. Comically considered as the after-effects of the activities you participated in that day that awakened and exercised other muscle fibers and tendons your body may not have been often exposed to. Hiking, biking, kayaking, rafting, or horseback riding are only a few of the activities one can partake in. But with every stride or stroke, this magical haven will continue to lure you deeper into its beauty, mystery, and magnetism. And you will not mind one bit sinking into its sublimity.

Do not forget to spend some time under the night sky. Where the silhouette of the mountain ridgelines or the soft moonlight reflections on the lake are the perfect setting revealing a cosmos in the sky to entertain you for hours.

And if you are fortunate enough and fiercely devout to the after dark, you may be profoundly rewarded with a brilliant display of lights that appear as dancing waves known as the Aurora Borealis – AKA Northern Lights. A geomagnetic phenomenon lighting the night sky with bedazzling curtains, columns and rays of vibrant greens and purples that will be forever etched in your memory.

Nature is a reminder that all is well and balanced. And Glacier is that perfect expression of harmony, diversity, and adaptability. Like a flawless symphony composed by nature’s natural elements, Glacier is continually evolving into grander, more revered magnificence.

Despite avalanches, freezing temperatures, whipping winds, scorching heat, destructive fires and raging Spring rapids, Glacier’s resiliency is awe inspiring.

It is also a reminder that we are not just a visitor to this land but a contributor. The lush forests serve as the lungs of our planet, and it requires our efforts to keep this balance going.

Through love, respect, and appreciation, all of life thrives.

And everything makes perfect sense when you find yourself standing in the heart of paradise.