My sister, LeAnn, and her husband, Marty, are RVers. They left their home in Florida about one month ahead of us to park their motorhome in Washington State, where they own a lot alongside a lovely mountain lake. LeAnn visited Glacier National Park told us that they experienced long lines of cars at the entrance to the Park and that we should plan on arriving early.
We don’t do early very well. We tend to move at Glacier speed in the morning (pardon the pun), but we set the alarm for 6:00 and made it to the gate before 7:00 and drove right in with a thermos filled with hot coffee.
On the northwestern edge of the Park, Bowman Lake, a 45-minute drive from the west gate, was the destination. Our friends, Sally and Bill, had spent a summer there as campground hosts, and we felt we should check it out for them. We arrived as the sun was rising above the mountains. The water was as still as a glass surface, and we were the only visitors at the lake. We walked around on the shoreline, and, eventually, a few kayakers arrived to paddle the still waters.
Also, coming at about the same time were mosquitoes as big as butterflies. I couldn’t shake them and didn’t want to wear bug spray for the rest of the day so, we left the shoreline to walk the campground for Sally and Bill. There were only a handful of campers. Bowman Lake Campground is a primitive site with no utilities, and I tip my cap to our friends for “roughing it” an entire season. Helen and I are committed “glampers” and wouldn’t last two nights here.
As we were leaving, we noticed a family of four seated at a picnic table eating large, delicious-looking pastries. Helen asked about them and learned that these delectables were Huckleberry Bear Claws, a specialty of a general store we passed earlier. I had to have one to accompany my thermos coffee, so we drove quickly to Polebridge Mercantile and stood in line with about twenty customers with the same idea. We bought four and, after eating the first one, wished we had purchased a dozen. Without a doubt, the best pastry I have ever had.
We needed to walk off the bear claws and drove toward the Rocky Point trailhead near McDonald Lake, stopping several times to photograph dramatic Glacier scenery. Rocky Point Trail is a two-mile loop from the parking lot out to a bluff above McDonald Lake. Across the lake, mountain peaks stand majestically, framing our view. Once again, the weather was perfect, and the skies were bright blue. We passed several patches of huckleberry bushes and evidence of bears that had stopped to sample the berries. After my bear claw experience, I completely understood the affinity for huckleberries. They are delicious.
By getting an early start, we completed our hike and returned to Lucy in the early afternoon. We agreed that we should leave early the next day and hike the seven-mile round trip to Avalanche Lake, one of the more popular trails in the Park. With plans made, it was time for lunch and a nap. Did I mention we’re not early risers?
I hope you will join us at Avalanche Lake…it’s beautiful. For now, it’s time to be Easin’ Along.
Wow! Such majestic scenery!
Good morning!
We certainly felt blessed to be there! Going back to take in the eastern side that was closed this year. Stay safe out there.
One of our favorite trips was to that beautiful park….so majestic!
Hi, Cammy,
Your trip inspired us. Thanks for the recommendation. Loved every minute of our time there.
Glacier National Park, no long lineups, a thermos of coffee, delicious bear claws, huckleberries and a gorgeous hike…followed by lunch and a nap. This sounds like the best day ever to me. Your photos are truly stunning!
Donna,
We touched all the bases on this day. Retirement is a great gig. Before we made it to Glacier, I don’t think I ever heard of a huckleberry. We certainly don’t have them in Tennessee. Delicious–just the right blend of sweet and tart. Looking forward to your hike with blogging buddies. Stay safe! Joe
My hat is off to your friends who managed an entire season at a primative park. I couldn’t even be bribed with a BearClaw to do that! The photo of Bowman Lake looks enchanted.
Suzanne,
Sally and Bill are made of pretty tuff stuff, but I agree…I did enough of that kind of camping in the Army. Bowman Lake looks like something straight out of a Thomas Cole painting. Enchanted is a great way to describe it. Loved your latest blog post. Stay safe down there. Joe
Beautiful photos! And now I am craving a huckleberry bear claw. I have never had one before but have had many other huckleberry treats.
Debbie,
Don’t do it. You’ll never recover and end up in Huckleberry Anonymous.
Oh, it’s so beautiful! Despite having traveled fulltime for seven years we’ve yet to make it to Glacier, although we’ve tried several times. The last time was a couple of years ago when terrible wildfires burned the historic lodge. So Glacier is still on our list! It’s fun to read about your adventures and see the magnificence through your photos.
I’m not an early riser either (well, I do get up early, but I’m not an out-the-door-early person). Eric, on the other hand, would love to always be on the trails at daybreak. We don’t make it at daybreak, but at least we’re usually on the trails by 10:00, lol.
Hello, Laurel,
I sincerely hope you get there. We camped at Mountain Meadow RV and would go back in a heartbeat. The scenery is as dramatic as it gets. I loved reading through your blog and your pictures are splendid. Thanks so much for checking in and stay cool down there. If you have any pull at St. Georges Island for reserving a campsite in late January, please send word. Joe