 Glacier
Park Alpiner
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|
Dates: (7
days, 6 nights; Sun-Sat) |
Assembly Point:
Kalispell |
Tour
Cost: $2,295 (includes all lodging, breakfasts and dinners, park entrance fees, support van, transfers, leaders, tour maps & narratives) |
The Glacier Park Alpiner assembles in Kalispell and we'll head for Glacier early-morning of Day 1. Before long, Glacier's snowclad peaks are visible as we enter the park at West Glacier and ultimately ride along the shores of Lake McDonald to our overnight at the Lake McDonald Lodge.
The logistics of this first day present some intriguing mid-day options while we await the 4 p.m. opening of the road to Lake McDonald for cyclists. Among those choices are a half-day of whitewater rafting on the Flathead River and a great cycling option along the beautiful quiet road toward the Polebridge region of Glacier.
With that relatively gentle first day behind us, it's on to one of the most exciting cyclotouring experiences to be found in North America — the challenge of spectacular Going-to-the-Sun Highway and its summit at Logan Pass (6,640'). How can we describe the experience of Going-to-the-Sun? The awesome glacial snowfields, tumbling waterfalls, the Hanging Gardens, the spectacular vistas that unfold at every switchback as we climb higher and higher. We promise some sweat, but the incredible scenic setting is well worth it. As a reward for that effort, we can look forward to a long downhill to St. Mary and then on to Many Glacier on the Park's wild eastern slope. We'll spend the evening in the historic Many Glacier Hotel, set magnificently on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake in the shadow of Grinnell Glacier.
On Day 3, we'll cross the border into Canada for a visit to Waterton Park. We'll spend the evening at the Prince of Wales Hotel, standing regally at the north end of Waterton Lake above the Waterton Townsite and overlooking the world's longest unguarded frontier.
We'll return to Montana on Day 4 — one of the most intriguing days that we offer on any tour. We'll climb from the Waterton Valley, trace the course of the Belly River and ride in the shadow of mystical Chief Mountain. We'll continue along the sparsely travelled eastern perimeter of Glacier beyond St. Mary Lake to the Triple Divide separating waters that flow to the Atlantic, Pacific and Hudson Bay. Our last climb on this very special day crests atop Looking Glass Hill with its breathtaking vista of Two Medicine Lakes. And what a way to end this day — an exhilarating 8-mile descent into East Glacier where we'll spend the next two evenings at the grand Glacier Park Lodge.
We'll remain in the East Glacier area on Day 5 with a wide array of activities available on this layover day. Among those choices are some excellent hiking opportunities in the Two Medicine region, ranging from the ambitious challenges of Dawson Pass and Scenic Point to the relaxing boat ride across the lake and leisurely return hike along the shoreline. And for those who prefer a more literal interpretation of this "rest" day, the pool at the Glacier Lodge is an inviting alternative.
It's back on the road early-morning of Day 6 for a relatively gentle return to the Continental Divide atop Marias Pass. We'll ride to the southern tip of Lake McDonald and a final evening on its shores at the Apgar Village Inn, and then return to Kalispell by mid-afternoon of the final day.
Total Mileage — 335
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