We started off from Seattle and drove across the Cascade mountains and through Cle Elum, the Wenatchee Forest, across the barren landscapes of Ellensburg and on towards the city of Spokane. After filling our growler in this lovely city at the Steam Plant Brewery and having them wrap it in a paper bag (That’s the law in Idaho), we headed north towards Sandpoint and the Kootenai National Forest.
– Marius at West Glazier Lake
– Steam Plant Brewery is located right in the heart of Spokane
– The modern architecture inside this old steam plant
We found a great little RV site just outside the town of Kootenai, inside Montana on the edge of the Kootenai River. After setting up camp, finishing our Growler (Lovely strong IPA) and exploring the region around us we settled in for a good nights rest.
– The Kootenai River (They actually have a sign up that says NO SWIMMING)
– Bridge over the Kootenai River
The next morning we left for the city of Whitefish and our destination of Glazier National Park, Glacier National Park is a national park located in the U.S. state of Montana, on the Canada–United States border with the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. The park encompasses over 1 million acres (4,000 km2) and includes parts of two mountain ranges (sub-ranges of the Rocky Mountains), over 130 named lakes, more than 1,000 different species of plants, and hundreds of species of animals. This vast pristine ecosystem is the centrepiece of what has been referred to as the “Crown of the Continent Ecosystem”, a region of protected land encompassing 16,000 square miles (41,000 km2) – wiki.
– Theunis at West Glazier lake, with the Going to the Sun road just on the left
As you enter Glazier National Park the main road that leads through the park from the west to the eastern side is called “Going to the sun road”. Driving into west Glazier we are amazed at the beautiful landscapes and lakes surrounding us. The going to the sun road was still snowed in so after about 3 miles we had to turn back, returning to our lovely camping spot, barbecuing our great steak (marinated with – Sweet Baby Ray’s – The Sauce is the Boss!)
– If you ever get to white fish, stop in at “The Great Northern Brewery”
– Marius relaxing with an IPA in the hand and finishing a growler with IPA from Whitefish Brewing Company.
From here we head around Glazier National Park to towards East Glazier Park Village and across the continental divide.
– The Continental divide
We stopped in at a small local diner, it was freezing outside, by the name of Luna’s where Marius and myself had a cup of hot coffee and a large slice of homemade Huckleberry Pie. Looking for an overnight campsite we headed back into the National park by Two medicines lake, the campsite was lovely but there was snow everywhere and Marius decided that if we stay there for the night we going to freeze.
– Best Huckleberry Pie in Montana
– Mountain Goats and still some snow around Two Medicine Lake
Heading north we crossed over the Mad Wolf Mountains, and followed a storm cross the valley, Marius had to stop a few times so that I could grab a photo or 10. We ended up for the evening at St. Mary’s Lake and the Johnson’s Restaurant and RV stop, we were the only campers with a tent and had an amazing view over East Flat Top Mountain and going to the sun road’s eastern entrance.
-St. Marys Lake
– Our 3 man tent and Ford Escape, Marius waiting for food 😉
Early morning we headed to Many Glazier, close to the Canadian border and did a 3 hour hike up the mountain, after getting back to the car we decided to do another 4 hour hike deeper into the Ice Berg trailhead, but after an hour in we had to turn back as Marius got some hectic blisters.
– Marius setting up for a perfect shot
– Many Glazier Lake, with many Glacier hotels to the left
– Many Glacier Hotel
Many Glazier lake is probably one of the most beautiful lakes we have seen and we were lucky enough to get perfect weather going in. Heading back to St.Mary’s we stopped in at the local dive bar (Which is only open over summer) for an IPA with the locals, it was weird as there were just 3 people sitting at the bar and nobody said a word. Marius and I eventually hooked up a conversation with the owner. The beer was super expensive and she told us that they had to pay double tax on it as it was state taxes as well as tribal taxes.
