Glacier National Park

Monday, August 25, 2025

We woke early to enjoy what we were told would be an incredible sunrise and it did not disappoint. The sun rose behind the hotel and shone on the lake and the mountains beyond - lighting them up in beautiful colors of red that made them look to be on fire. It was well worth the early hour. It was calm and cool, the mountains reflected into the lake. I couldn’t take enough pictures - now I have to figure out which one came out best!

We weren’t getting on our bus today; however, our luggage and carry-ons were traveling by bus and we had to have them ready by 8am and 8:50 am respectively.  We only kept one backpack for the day. After breakfast, we met at the dock for our scheduled boat ride on the Swiftcurrent Lake. These boats used for the tours are original, wooden, and as you can probably know - Ed was fascinated by them. Our boat ride let us off near a short hiking trail (¼ mile) that led us to Josephine Lake, where another one of these boats was waiting for us. We then cruised this lake, getting closer to some of the few remaining glaciers up in the mountains as well as more spectacular scenery. The glaciers in this park are retreating quickly and it’s only a matter of years before they are all gone - but the scenery remains and is breathtaking.

We returned on the same ¼ mile hike but then opted to continue to walk the path around Swiftcurrent  Lake back to the hotel. Here’s a picture of the group we’re traveling with, including Tanya, our amazing tour director.

After lunch we boarded the famous red buses for our Going-to-the-sun-road tour. the buses are original; however the chassis and engine part have all be refurbished by Ford motor company. But the exterior and interior seating remains original. There were 13 of us in each of two buses. Open top with hot sun and beautiful breeze as we embarked on this 50 mile journey through Glacier National Park - stopping at Logan Pass where we crossed the Continental Divide - and continued on to western Glacier, arriving at Lake McDonald Hotel - another old hotel built by the Great Northern Railroad. 

We stopped several times along the route to enjoy scenery or waterfalls, or incredible vistas. Lots of visitors in the park in many areas - whether they be hiking, or swimming… So much to see and so many areas to investigate. 

After a long but amazing afternoon, we arrived at the Lake McDonald hotel around 5:15pm and were assigned our rooms. Some were in rooms located in the main hotel. Others were assigned cottages. We had a cottage - #12B - well these cottages run along a path (on one side) so finding our way to Cottage 12 was quite the walk. We were the furthest away - you know how much Ed liked that walk. This room was smaller than yesterday, with a queen size bed and quite decent bathroom and shower. We both took quick showers before dinner as we were fairly hot and dusty from the bus ride. Bear in mind that the pictures make the room look larger than it was.

Back to the main hotel for a well-deserved cocktail - Huckleberry Margarita - Huckleberries are everywhere in Glacier and a favorite food for the bears. There is huckleberry jam, honey, ice cream, margarita, lemonade.. the list goes on. I was partial to the margarita. We ate with Carol and Patty tonight, but were enjoying our cocktails with Pat, Steve and Margy, and Emily and John. We tried to eat together but it was quicker to do a table of 5 and 4. 

This restaurant actually does more business that the one at Many Glacier as we are closer to areas of the park where there are other hotel options and it’s easier to get to. Great old-fashioned dining room with lots of wood accents. Better service than at Many Glacier. Dinner was delicious and we ended with Huckleberry Pie and Huckleberry Ice Cream. 

Needed to walk a bit before heading back to the cabin for the night. We enjoyed viewing the lake as the sun set and began to make the lake glow a bit.

We organized our suitcases and carry-ons as much as possible before sleep - it’s an early morning tomorrow - suitcases out by 7am and on the bus by 7:45am.

Note: Neither of these hotels in Glacier have A/C, but sleeping was not an issue using the included tower fans in the rooms and evening opening a window in the cottage.

Back to Canada tomorrow,

Betsy