Glacier National Park

In October, I got to take a road trip across the western United States! We started driving east on I-90 all the way across Washington, Idaho, and into Montana. In Montana, we turned north and visited Glacier National Park! Glacier has been the home of people for at least 10,000 years. The Salish, Kootenai, and Blackfeet peoples all call the park home. When European settlers first came to the area, they were looking for furs/ pelts to sell in the fur trade. I felt honored to visit Glacier; it is a beautiful place.

When we visited Glacier, a lot of the park was closed due to heavy snow. I was only able to explore the southwest portion of the park. Don't worry- it did not disappoint! It was gorgeous. I went on a walkish- hike through a portion of the park called Trail of the Cedars that was filled with beautiful moss, trees, and a gorgeous creek filled with fallen trees.

I loved this fallen tree. It looks so spooky, don't you think? I love how all the roots look.

The creek cuts through the rock in this photo; it's called Avalanche Gorge. I'm standing on a little bridge that crosses Avalanche Creek. I love how the mosses and lichens grow in this area. They're so green and beautiful!

The trees form a canopy over the trail, so there is not much direct sunlight unless you are out in the middle of the creek. There are lots of rocks that have come down the creek bed; they are a lot of fun to climb! I stuck my hand in the water; it is VERY cold! It reminded me of the Ohanapecosh River in the Grove of the Patriarchs at Mount Rainier National Park. Glacial water is brrrr-oni!

After hiking the Trail of the Cedars, we drove back down the visitor center. First though, we stopped along Lake McDonald. The lake is large, but you can easily see across it. It was created through erosion from glaciers, or rivers of ice. The glaciers carved out the lake, which filled up with glacial meltwater and precipitation. It's very, very clear and you can easily see down quite far into the lake. I thought it was so beautiful.

We stopped and parked for a little while so that I could work on a favorite National Park activity- my junior ranger workbook! Luckily, I was able to finish before we had to leave the park. We stopped by the Apgar Visitor Center to turn in my booklet. Ranger Emily helped me say the Junior Ranger oath. She checked over my booklet and helped me to correct the mistakes I made. I'm glad the National Park Service has such great rangers!

After I said the Junior Ranger pledge, Ranger Emily gave me a special junior ranger badge! I pinned it to my junior ranger vest and proudly wore it for the rest of the day. I keep all my badges in a special box. Ranger Emily asked me how many junior ranger programs I've completed, but I wasn't able to answer because I have done so many!

Visiting Glacier National Park was amazing. The trees, water, mountains, and sky are stunning. If you are ever in western Montana, make sure to go! What do you think- would you like to visit Glacier someday?