Glacier National Park
Montana
Glacier National Park was my big-ticket destination this year. The goal? Hike the legendary Highline Trail. With Many Glacier closed for construction (and off-limits unless you had a lodge reservation), we rerouted and made the most of it.
We kicked things off with sunset cocktails at Lake McDonald Lodge — a classic hunting-lodge vibe with an amber glow spilling across the lake. The bar was packed, the lodge fully booked, but the vibe? Unbeatable. Pro tip: those famous rainbow pebbles aren’t out front — they’re at the far end of the lake near Apgar Village.
The next morning we beat the clock at the West Entrance (in before 7 a.m. to skip the vehicle permit) and hit Avalanche Lake Trail — tougher than I expected, but worth every step. Then it was time for the main event: Going-to-the-Sun Road. We drove it west to east, threading Logan Pass in our van Bessie (10.4 ft clearance… just barely under the “don’t try it” warning). Not for the faint of heart!
At dawn, we returned to Logan Pass for sunrise shots before tackling Hidden Lake together — then I pushed on solo. Finally, it was now-or-never: the Highline Trail. Walking that narrow ledge high above the valley wasn’t nearly as scary as I’d feared; just stunningly long, winding all the way to Granite Park Chalet. The descent via The Loop? Brutal knee-buster. But finishing in one piece, swapping stories with fellow hikers at the shuttle stop, and feeling like part of the mountain tribe — worth it a thousand times over.
When the legs gave out, we detoured to Two Medicine; far less visited, wild, and serene. Glacier magic, without the crowds.
Stay the Night
Camping: St. Mary (east side) & Fish Creek (west side) via recreation.gov.
Historic Lodges: Lake McDonald Lodge, Many Glacier Hotel, Rising Sun Motor Inn (glacierparkinc.com, 406-892-2525).
Other Options: Cabins in Apgar Village, inns around West Glacier, or the more remote Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Granite Park Chalet for backcountry hikers.
Glacier isn’t easy. It’s rugged, remote, and relentless — but that’s exactly why it’s unforgettable.
