The morning comes early as we enjoy breakfast in the splendor of our surroundings. Soon we are on the Harleys® riding back to St. Mary where we will enter Glacier National Park; from here we join the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road for our breathtaking ride through the park.
Geologic processes formed and sculpted Glacier National Park’s mountain peaks, leaving about 50 glaciers and hundreds of lakes.. Some of the finest mountain scenery in America is within this 1-million acre park. The U-shaped valleys, as well as most of the lakes, are the legacy of the last ice age. Most of the glaciers are accessible only by trail; a few can be viewed from the the road. The park contains a dozen large lakes and 700 smaller ones, but only 131 lakes have been named. The lakes of Glacier National Park remain cold year round, with temperatures rarely above 50 °F (10 °C) at their surface. Two hundred waterfalls are scattered throughout the park, however, during dryer times of the year, many of these are reduced to a trickle.
After the park was well established and visitors began to rely more on automobiles, work was begun on the 53 mile (85 km) long Going-to-the-Sun Road. The road was completed in 1932. The Going-to-the-Sun Road, a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark traverses through the heart of the park and crosses the Continental Divide. Along with the Going-to-the-Sun Road, five historic hotels and chalets are listed as National Historic Landmarks.
The Going-to-the Sun Road takes you through some of the most spectacular scenery in the park. Because portions of the road hug the mountainside, there are a few tight curves, but thousands of vehicles and motorcycles have safely made the journey from one side of the park to the other. Follow the speed limit, drive carefully, and enjoy the majesty this road has to offer.
Glacier National Park borders Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada. The two parks are known as the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and were designated as the world's first International Peace Park in 1932.
Though Glacier is refuge for nearly every large mammal species native to the United States, most of the animals seek the undisturbed areas, and few are seen along the roads. As we cross Logan Pass, you may encounter mountain goats grazing along the road. A small herd of these animals seem to have become accustomed to tourist and provide a excellent photo opportunity. Traffic conditions permitting, we will stop in order that you may take that special photo.
Logan Pass is at an elevation of 6,680 feet and straddles the Continental Divide. We will stop at the Logan Pass visitors center to enjoy the spectacular views and observe up-close one of the many glaciers located within the park.
To help reduce congestion, vehicles longer than 21 feet (including bumpers) or wider than 8 feet (including mirrors) are not authorized along portions of the Going-to-the-Sun Road and vehicles higher than 10 feet in height may have difficulty on portions of the road due to rock overhangs.
Time permitting, we will stop to visit and enjoy one or more of the splendid historic lodges located along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
We will exit Glacier National Park at West Glacier, Montana where we will spend the evening. You will have time relax and enjoy the local atmosphere of West Glacier before our evening dinner.