Category Archives: Glacier Park Vacation Tips

Glacier National Park Mountains: Higher Than You Think!

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Glacier National Park Mountains: Higher Than You Think!
Glacier National Park has over 200 named peaks and countless un-named peaks, and are truly some of the most majestic mountains found anywhere in North America. And in addition to Glacier’s incredible peaks, Glacier National Park also has some of the tallest walls in North America, such as the North Face of Mount Siyeh and the North Face of Mount Cleveland which are both 4,000+ foot vertical walls. With this being said, it often shocks visitors to learn that the highest peak in Glacier National Park is “only” 10,479 feet above sea level. They are accustomed to thinking that peaks in the rockies need to be 12,000 to 14,000 feet to be considered “tall”.

Visitors are often amazed at the mountains of Glacier National Park because when they are looking at these towering peaks, or standing on their summits, these mountains seem to be absolutely gigantic and seem to nearly disappear into the sky.  But when they see that they only range between 8,500 and 10,500 feet in elevation, it puzzles them.  Well guess what everyone… the mountains of Glacier National Park are indeed gigantic, and it’s all because of their amazingly large “vertical expressions”, rather than their overall vertical elevation.

“Vertical Expression”
Vertical Expression is what truly makes the “height” of a mountain. This term describes the distance between the lowest point that surrounds the mountain (i.e.valleys), and the actual summit. Or put another way, its the distance between the perceived “base” of the mountain, and the very top of the mountain. And Glacier National Park is home to some of the most “vertical expressions” in North America, which is why they appear to be much, much taller than their actual elevation above sea level.

An example of an amazing vertical expression in Glacier National Park is Mount Stimson.  Mount Stimson is “only” 10,479 feet above sea level, but has a vertical expression of nearly 6,000 vertical feet in almost all directions surrounding the mountain. But even though Mount Stimson has this tremendous vertical expression, it’s only 10,479 feet high because the surrounding valleys are EXTREMELY LOW. The Nyack Creek surrounds much of this famous mountain, and is only 3,500 to 4,000 vertical feet in elevation. Therefore, the perception of Mount Stimson is that it’s HUGE, and rightly so. It is huge because of how high it towers over its surroundings, even though it’s overall elevation is 10,479 feet.

Another example which anyone driving on the Going To The Sun Road will definitely notice is the vertical expression of Cannon Mountain from the McDonald Valley. As the Going To The Sun Road winds along McDonald Creek just east of the Avalanche Campground and Trail of the Cedars, you can’t help but notice just how incredibly tall the north face of Cannon Mountain is as it seems to literally disappear into the heavens directly above the road. Seemingly straight up, the summit of Cannon Mountain is over 5,500 vertical feet above the Going To The Sun Road, which is only about 3,200 feet above sea level at that particular spot. It’s an amazing example of the incredible vertical expression that is found in Glacier National Park.

Low Starting Point
So the reason the mountains of Glacier National Park look so incredibly tall but only actually range between 8,000 feet and 10,479 feet in elevation is because they start so low. Their bases are only 3,000 to 4,000 feet in elevation, which is far below the average base of a typical peak in the rockies.

In comparison, the base of the Teton Mountain Range in Grand Teton National Park is about 7,000 feet, but it really doesn’t seem like it. The entire east base of the Tetons is quite flat and is sagebrush prairie land. You’d never think you were “high”, and yet this prairie is 400 feet higher than Logan Pass, which is the highest point along the famous Going To The Sun Road in Glacier National Park at 6,646 feet above sea level!

So the Teton Mountain Range starts at about 7,000 feet, whereas the mountains of Glacier National Park start between 3,000 to 4,000 feet. That’s why many of the mountains in Grand Teton National Park and Glacier Park seem to be equally impressive, and yet many of mountains of Grand Teton National Park are anywhere between 11,000 and 13,000+ feet in elevation, whereas the mountains of Glacier Park range between 8,000 and 10,400+ feet. They are both impressive because their vertical expressions are similar.

Another interesting example of the differences in the “starting point” of mountains is Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone Lake, which appears to quite low in elevation, and you’d never think you were “high” as you stood on its shore, is 7,733 feet in elevation. This is over 1,000 vertical feet higher than Logan Pass, which as stated earlier is the highest point along the Going To The Sun Road in Glacier Park! So as you are standing on Logan Pass, thinking you’re on top of the world, you are 1,000 feet lower than standing on the shore of Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park.

If You Could Move Glacier Park’s Mountains….
So if you could “move” the mountains of Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park, or to Grand Teton National Park, the overall elevations of Glacier Park’s mountains would be anywhere between 12,000 and 14,000+ feet high!

So this explains why the mountains of Glacier Park seem so gigantic. Vertical Expression is really what makes a mountain either look small or tall, and Glacier National Park has some of the most vertical expressions in North America. So remember, it’s not the overall elevation of a mountain that truly matters, what really counts is how much elevation there is between the base and the summit of the mountain. That’s what makes a mountain a mountain.

So when you’re standing on one of the countless summits in Glacier National Park, you are enjoying some of the most impressive vertical expressions on the continent…. so enjoy the view!!!

For “View From The Summits” of Glacier National Park, click here.

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The Going To The Sun Road, Glacier National Park

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The Going To The Sun Road
The Going To The Sun Road in Glacier National Park is unquestionably one of the world’s most scenic highways, and is an absolute “Must See” while vacationing in Glacier Park.  Located in the heart of Glacier Park, the 52 mile long Going To The Sun Road is the only road that actually runs through the park, which makes this iconic road one of the most popular destinations in all of Glacier National Park.  The Going To The Sun Road is also “Number 1” on our “Top Ten Things To Do In Glacier National Park” list.

Completed in 1932, the Going To The Sun Road in Glacier National Park is an engineering marvel as it climbs thousands of feet from the valley floor to its highest point at Logan Pass.  Not only is the Going To The Sun Road a National Historic Landmark, but is also a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.  This is one of the only landmarks in the United States that are both.  One of the amazing features of this incredible highway is that it works its way up several thousand feet to Logan Pass, and then back down the other side, with only one switchback the entire way!

The Going To The Sun Road runs from West Glacier Montana, which is the West Entrance to Glacier National Park, all the way to the East Entrance of Glacier National Park at St. Mary Montana, 52 miles to the east.  The views from the Going To The Sun Road are magnificent to say the least, and we highly recommend that you not only take advantage of the many pullouts along the way, but also make sure you drive this famous highway BOTH WAYS.   Each direction presents a completely different view of the landscape, and are equally worth the effort to enjoy.  If you only drive one direction, you’re missing out on literally half the view.

Below is a list of the major Going To The Sun Road Pullouts:
(From West to East)

WEST SIDE
Apgar Village
Lake McDonald Lodge
Sacred Dancing Cascades
Trail of the Cedars
The Loop
West Side Smaller Pullouts
Weeping Wall
Big Bend
Oberlin Bend
Logan Pass

EAST SIDE
Logan Pass
Lunch Creek
East Side Smaller Pullouts
Siyeh Bend
Jackson Glacier Overlook
St. Mary Falls / Virginia Falls Trailhead
Sunrift Gorge
Baring Falls
Sun Point
Wild Goose Island
Rising Sun
St. Mary Lake Overlook
St. Mary Visitor Center

These major pullouts provide incredible views, as well as a place to stop the car and relax for awhile.

For details on these popular pullouts, CLICK HERE.

As we mentioned before, the Going To The Sun Road is one of the most scenic highways on earth, and is a 100%, absolute “Must Do” while visiting Glacier National Park.  And again, we highly recommend that you drive this famous road BOTH WAYS because the scenery is completely different each way.

Listed as #1 on our “Top Ten Things To Do In Glacier Park” list, you will never forget your journey through the heart of Glacier National Park along the world famous Going To The Sun Road.

For details on the Going To The Sun Road, CLICK HERE.
For details on the Going To The Sun Road Pullouts, CLICK HERE.

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Going To The Sun Road in Glacier Park: Drive Both Ways!

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Going To The Sun Road in Glacier Park:  Drive Both Ways!
The Going To The Sun Road in Glacier Park is not only one of the top attractions of Glacier National Park, but is one of the most scenic highways found anywhere on the planet…. and what we strongly recommend is that while visiting Glacier Park you drive the Going To The Sun Road from east to west and west to east, in no particular order.  Why?  Because each direction presents a completely different perspective and view of the mountains, and it is well worth the time to do this.

Where and What is the Going To The Sun Road?
The Going To The Sun Road is the only road that runs entirely through Glacier National Park, and is located between the west entrance of Glacier Park at West Glacier Montana, and the east entrance of Glacier Park at St. Mary.  This amazing civil engineering marvel climbs to the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, and provides views of mountains, lakes and valleys that are so incredibly beautiful it is impossible to describe or even photograph adequately.  The Going To The Sun Road is so amazing that we want to you enjoy it to the fullest, and that is why that we are STRONGLY recommending that you take the time to drive this famous road both ways.

Each Direction Looks Completely Different!
It is absolutely astounding to us just how different the views are along the Going To The Sun Road in Glacier Park depending on the direction you’re driving.  It’s really like two completely different roads, equally spectacular and equally worth seeing.  And just when we think we’ve picked our favorite direction, we change our minds.  Each direction presents a completely different landscape… so if you only go over the Going To The Sun Road in one direction, you are only seeing 50% of what this famous road has to offer.

Options: Split Up The Drive
If you don’t want to drive all the way along the Going To The Sun Road from the east entrance to the west entrance and then back again in one day, then split it up into two separate adventures.  Obviously you are going to want to spend plenty of time on the east side of the park, especially the Many Glacier Area and Two Medicine Area.  Once you’ve spent plenty of time on the east side (however many days you think you’ll need), then get up early and head up the Going To The Sun Road in Glacier Park and enjoy!

Make sure you stop at any or all of the Going To The Sun Road Turnouts and Overlooks that interest you, and DEFINITELY stop at Logan Pass, and enjoy the short hike to the Hidden Lake Overlook (The Highline Trail is also an amazing Logan Pass Hike that you may definitely want to consider.)  Once you’re finished enjoying some time on Logan Pass, then head down the west side of the Going To The Sun Road in Glacier Park, where again you’ll see several amazing overlooks and turnouts.

For more information on the Going To The Sun Road turnouts and overlooks, CLICK HERE.

Near the end of the west side of the Going To The Sun Road in Glacier Park you’ll see the “Trail of the Cedars“, which is a really short but really gorgeous boardwalk through an old growth Cedar and Hemlock forest that is definitely worth the effort.  Then you can either stay at the historic Lake McDonald Lodge (which is awesome) or you can keep driving another 10 miles and stay at Apgar Village.

Now that you’re on the west side, enjoy the Lake McDonald Area for as many days as you feel you’ll need, and then head back over the Going To The Sun Road and end up on the east side again. Of course you can do all of this in reverse, depending on whether you are coming from the east (Minneapolis, etc) or the west (Seattle, etc.)

Something else to consider is since you’re going to be on Logan Pass twice, if you like hiking, hike to the Hidden Lake Overlook the first time, and then hike along the Highline Trail the second time you’re on Logan Pass (or vice versa).

Both Directions in One Day?
If you want to drive the Going To The Sun Road in Glacier Park both ways in one day, therefore ending up where you started, then here’s some tips:

If you are starting at the East Entrance and you’re a little pressed for time to get back before dark, then we recommend that you drive to Lake McDonald Lodge, and then turn around and begin heading back.  This will cut off a total of 20 miles and you are seeing the majority of the Sun Road attractions.

If you are starting at the West Entrance, then at least go to Rising Sun (which is just past the famous Wild Goose Island Overlook on the east side) and begin heading back.  This will cut off about 12 miles and you’ll see most of the east side attractions along the Going To The Sun Road.

Helpful Tips…
LEAVE EARLY in the morning so you can enjoy your day on the Going To The Sun Road in Glacier Park.  Also, by leaving early, this will help ensure that you get an easy parking spot on Logan Pass.  If there is a sign on Logan Pass that says the “PARKING LOT FULL”, this simply means that there was no available parking spaces at the time they put up this sign.  But every minute someone is leaving the parking lot, so go ahead and drive into the parking lot and drive around a bit until you find a parking spot.  We’ve never had to drive around more than 15 minutes or so until a spot became available.  You just have to be determined and stubborn, and you’ll find a parking spot no matter what time of day, but obviously the earlier you get to Logan Pass, the easier it is to find a parking spot…. by 10:30 a.m. preferably.

For more details on the Going To The Sun Road, CLICK HERE.

Glacier National Park is a beautiful place, and the Going To The Sun Road is one of the top attractions in this world famous national park.  By driving the Going To The Sun Road both ways, you are maximizing your enjoyment of this iconic scenic road.  Once you do this, you’ll understand exactly what we’re trying to say in this article, and you’ll be extremely glad you followed our advice.

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