Going to the Sun
We had such a great day! At both the Western & Eastern approaches to the “Going to the Sun Road” in the Glacier National Park, there is free shuttle service provided (there is a $25 fee to enter the park or free with an Access
Pass). There is also the Red Bus (Jammers) Tours, their prices range from about $40-$90 per person depending on the “tour” you choose. We were excited to discover the shuttle service, because you cannot drive any vehicle longer than 21′ over the 1920’s road. The buses start at 7:00am and run every 15-30 minutes until 7:00pm, depending on road conditions. There are several stops along the way, where you can get off and on, for hiking, picnicking or just viewing the awesome sites.
Our Plan
We entered the park at the Western gate and took the shuttle leaving from the Apgar Visitor Center. We decided to ride all the way to the St. Mary Visitor Center at the Eastern gate, without getting off, so we could decide where and what we wanted to see on the ride back. Here is a link to the map of all the stops.
East Bound Ascent
Logan’s Pass
You have to get off at L
ogan’s Pass and transfer to another bus to go down the other side to St. Mary’s, there are restrooms, a visitor center with rangers to get hiking maps from and of course there is a souvenir shop. There was still quite a bit of snow when we were there the second week of July. I don’t know and didn’t think to ask at the time if this was normal or not, I do know that the Northwest got more snow than they have had in the last 10 years, so say the locals. It was so hot, in the 90’s at the Apgar Campground, and we were surprised at how cool, in the 70’s it was at Logan’s summit, but on the way back it was quite a bit cooler, in the low 60’s . This is also where the Continental Divide is. We wanted to see Triple Divide Peak too, it is one of the few places on earth whose waters feed three oceans, we had read about it in one of their brochures. But, if you want to know exactly where it is, do your research before you get there, none of the shuttle drivers or rangers we talked to, knew which peak was Triple Divide.
Eastbound Decent
St. Mary Visitor Center
We were kinda unimpressed with this visitor center, and so we just got right back on the bus and headed back up and West. We got off at the Rising Sun shuttle stop. Where there is a campground, Hotel, Two Dog Flats Grill restaurant, Boat Tour on St. Mary Lake, Picnic Area and of course a gift shop. We ate the lunch we brought at the picnic area and the took the trail over to the boat tour launch area to look around.
Westbound Ascent
St. Mary Falls Hike
This was the only real hike we took. There were a lot of folks getting off at different stops to go on extensive hikes and camp out of back-packs, or stay at the back-country chalets. The hike was about 1-1/2 miles one-way, with a 260 foot drop, which was fairly easy going in, but a little rough for the lunger and the crippled-up old lady coming back out. We’re getting stronger and healthier everyday though!
Westbound Descent
After the hike to St. Mary Falls we had to decide between stopping at Jackson Glacier Overlook or The Loop. We didn’t have enough time to do both, because if you’re not at the bus stop by 7:00pm you get left there till the next day. We picked The Loop and I got a fairly good shot of Jackson Glacier from the bus. But, The Loop was also a bust, there really isn’t much to see, well that isn’t really true, there is Heavens Peak, but it’s really a drop off place for the strenuous, 4-mile hike to Granite Park Chalet.
Going to the Sun ~ Movie
July 9th ~ Day 95 of our 2014 Road Trip
Show on map
Great pics!
Thanks, it really was hard to stop taking pictures, it was a beautiful as the Grand Canyon.
wow! i love all the photos. i just scrolled down the page looking at each one instead of clicking on the like a slide show. i like the one pic of you two, looked like a pair of proper British aristocratic tourists. “I do say there, Dear, you suppose this is the correct trail to see all the wildlife?” “Yes, old chap, I do think so!”
i saw all the comments, Lei, and like them. i know youse guys are having a blast, and are in God’s Hands. you are Blessed.