Saturday, September 6, 2014

Going to the Sun Road

We had visited Glacier Park before, but were not able to complete the "Going to the Sun" road due to weather.  This is one of the world's most spectacular highways.  It cuts through the heart of Glacier National Park and is 50 miles long.  Vehicles over 21 feet long (including bumpers) or over 8 feet wide (including mirrors) are prohibited on portions of this road due to the narrow, twisty roads and tunnels.

When we woke it was to a soft rain and it didn't appear to be letting up any time soon.  There was also no cell signal, no internet, no TV reception and therefore we decided to set off on this ride since there was nothing else to do.



Our plan was to stop at Lake McDonald and have lunch at the lodge, but we failed to see the signs and missed this stop.   Oh well, we'll find something else along the way.  Yeah right.



Even with the rain and fog it was a beautiful drive, or maybe the beauty was because of the weather as it gave it an other worldly feeling.
These are the little red tour cars that take passengers 
There are lots of waterfalls that we spotted along the way and look forward to revisiting in nicer weather.




There was also a lot of construction going on, with multiples waits for the pilot car to lead us through.



Did I mention that as you maneuver around hairpin turns and up and over hills that this is open range?



When we got to Logan Pass, which is just over the top loop we noticed the rain had solidified into soft snow.  This is as much snow as I hope to ever see again in our new life.


One of the glaciers can be seen in this view.  

At the visitor center we saw photos of how the glaciers have receded.  It is predicted with global warming that they will be completely gone by 2020.  That's only six years away and I fear they will be right.

We did finally find a place for lunch at Rising Sun towards the end of the trail...about 2:30.


Later on in the day the sun finally came out and it looks like tomorrow will be a better day.




Long Live the Queen

6 comments:

  1. beautiful terrain! the cow was unexpected (for me!)

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  2. Thank goodness you got lunch. Otherwise there might have been another un'bear' able body in the woods.

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  3. My goodness, your photos are simply awesome!! Wow, just beautiful! I think the rain and fog actually enhanced them. I love the clouds against the mountains/glacier. We had a bit of a thunder storm move through here earlier tonight, and I did my darndest to get a photo of the lightning. It's not so easy when you're surrounded by huge trees. (and it's raining) You have a wonderful evening. Hugs, Edna B.

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  4. It is beautiful there. Hope the weather improves for you.

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  5. I remember going through there in a 1970 Ford van...without brakes. Seriously, Bill drove through there with a blown master cylinder. He had to rig the emergency brake. We were newlyweds living in the van. Good times.

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