For the National Park lovers out there, I know what you are thinking. October in GNP? Isn't that a little late in the season?
You are on one hand right, a lot of the facilities in the park were closed, the bus system wasn't running and the hotels were also done for the season- but do not let that stop you from going to this amazing park in the fall. I think it may have been the best time to go! If you are into no traffic, barely any lines at the gates, crisp temps, sunny days, parking at trailheads, and fall foliage fantasies, then early October is the perfect time to visit this National park. We stayed in an airbnb in the town of Whitefish for this trip, about 30mins from the West Glacier entrance. The town was very small and simple, but had some really good restaurants, cute shops, definitely things to do. Our place was on the way to the ski resort (not open just yet) a few blocks off of Whitefish Lake, across from the the Taphouse- which was only about a 20 min walk into town. We did start this trip off with a bummer- our collapsing hiking poles were confiscated by TSA, however we were able to rent poles from a sports store called Ski Haus, and also rented some bear spray in Apgar village. Both necessities for this trip!
Thursday:
Started in the park at McDonald Lake. We did an audio car tour through the park which basically took up the whole day. We stopped along the Going to the Sun Road for many photo opps, the Logan's Pass visitor's center, then did a quick hike to St Mary's falls/Virginia Falls (only about 1hr 20 min hike- good way to stretch your legs, see some falls). We ended the trip at St Mary's, and turned around to go back the GTTS road- took about 2hrs with no stops. Dinner that night in Whitefish was at Latitude 48, and ice cream after at Sweet Peaks.
Friday:
We started out driving to Logan's Pass, which was about 1hr 30min straight, to do the Hidden Lake hike (the trailhead was behind the visitor's center). 5.5 miles, 1350ft elevation (up, then down, then up, then down- if you go all the way down to the lake which we did). Many people only hiked to the lookout, which cuts the hike in half. After the hike we tried stopping by the Lake Mcdonald lodge for lunch, however they were closed of course, so we headed to Apgar campground and got some food at Eddie's cafe (which was decent). Dinner this night was at Herb and Omni, definitely the most expensive and sceney of the restaurants we went to on this trip. Walking back to the airbnb we had milkshakes at the Clydesdale creamery (and went back every night after! These were so good).
Saturday:
Decided to mix it up by going for a run along Wisconsin Ave on the trail - eeked out about 5 flat miles. We were hoping to get to the East Glacier/Many Glacier part of the park today, but a storm rolled through Friday night and their were reports of light snow, and pretty high wind gusts. So we tabled that plan for a day, and stayed exploring East Glacier with the Avalanche Lake Hike- about an hour drive from Whitefish- 2hr 20 min hike, 6 miles, only 730 ft in elevation so relatively easy. From there we checked out Bonsai brewing back near our airbnb, walked down to Whitefish Lake, and headed to dinner at Tulepo grille (the best meal of the trip! Creole specialties- hush puppies, grits, biscuits, so so good- and not expensive!)
Sunday:
Our last day to enjoy the park and we went hard. We woke up early and drove to the East/Many Glacier side of the park- which took about 2hrs and 30mins to get to. We parked at the Hotel which was closed for the season, and did the Grinnell Glacier hike. This hike normally has a different trailhead start, however there was construction on the road leading to it, so from the parking lot of the hotel the hike took us about 11 miles, 4.5hrs, 2000 ft of elevation. A full day hike. We got our share of wildlife encounters on this one- about 5 mins into walking around the first lake a huge moose with her baby crossed the trail right in front of us. When we reached the Grinnell Glacier overlook, we were stopped by a grizzly bear and her 2 cubs right off the trail. That was our cue, it was time to turn around. This was by far the best hike of the trip- highly recommend getting out there and going early! The views were incredible. After a full day of driving and hiking, we dined down the street - not completely in town, at Jalisco Cantina, which had the windows open, some heaters going, and great margaritas.
Comments