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Camp Shenanigans, Mountain Goats and a Smoky Haze


August 8-14, 2018 — This week finally brought us to Glacier National Park. Our original plans were to be here in July before the wildfire season was in full force but everything doesn’t always go the way we think it should. Staying flexible is imperative as change will happen and often times it is not in our control. Nevertheless we did make it and were able to enjoy the beautiful park even with the overcast haze of smoke. 

One night this week was spent at the Two Medicine Campground in Glacier National Park and the remaining six nights were at the home of friends on the west side of Glacier. 

Mile Driven – RV

Miles Driven – Car

What a beautiful park! 

The East Side Tunnel through Piegan Mountain on the Going-to-the-Sun-Road in Glacier National Park. The tunnel was built in 1931 and is 408 feet long. 

Snow remains on the mountain tops near Haystack Butte.

Glacier National Park is home to many waterfalls. This one is located just west of the Logan Pass Visitors Center. 

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The smoky haze gives an eerie feel to Saint Mary Lake. 

Wildflowers are abundant throughout Glacier National Park. Below is an example of the Leafy Aster.

Two Medicine Campground. The campground offers dry camping on a first come-first serve basis. Early arrival is vital to assuring a spot as the campgrounds fill up early in the day. We arrived at 8:00 in the morning and there were only two sites available that could accommodate our RV and tow car. 

“Camp Shenanigans” in Kallspell, Montana. Thanks to friends Tim and Nancy for the amazing accommodations, laughs, and for being awesome tour guides. Having great friends is priceless!

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Hungry Horse Dam on the South Fork Flathead River fifteen miles south of the Glacier National Park west entrance. The dam took six years to build and was completed in 1953. At 564 feet in height, the dam was the third largest and second highest in the world at the time of its completion. Approximately one billion kilowatt-hours of energy are generated annually at the dam while the release water generates another 4.6 billion kilowatt-hours of power as it passes through downstream power plants. That’s enough energy to power over 520,000 homes.  

McCarthy Homestead Cabin built in 1908 by Jeremiah McCarthy in the North Fork Area in what is now part of Glacier National Park. McCarthy obtained the 160 acres of land following the passage of the Forest Homestead Law in 1906 that allowed lands valuable for agriculture use within the national forests to be available under the Homestead Law of 1862. 

Dirt roads and dry conditions make for lots of dust in north west Montana. 

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Hazy skies filled with wild fire smoke block the mountain peak views in Glacier National Park. Still beautiful!

West Tunnel on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Bearhat Mountain and Hidden Lake near Logan Pass in Glacier National Park. To the right of the mountain you can see smoke from the Howe Ridge fire near Lake McDonald. The fire grew substantially during the evening of our hike here and caused evacuations and closures in the park including the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Very sad…

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Momma and baby mountain goats near Hidden Lake at Glacier National Park. Hope all the wildlife made it out of harm’s way from the wildfires. 

We loved our time at Glacier National Park and are grateful we were able to do the touring we did before the wildfires started that caused evacuations and closures in the park. Hopefully the fires will be contained and regrowth can begin soon. 

Join us next week as we continue to explore in Montana and visit Idaho for the first time. See you then!