Traveling to various cities and countries, every tourist wants to get an unforgettable experience, see something new, perhaps even discover previously unknown facets. Glacier National Park, located in Montana, USA, is a place where you completely merge with nature. Mountain peaks, many glaciers and lakes, waterfalls and mesmerizing views are stunning in their beauty. Here you want to breathe deeply and not think about anything, contemplating beautiful landscapes.
A bit of history
According to archaeological research, the first people (Indian tribes) came to the territory of the modern park about 10,000 years ago. An interesting fact is that those who came to these lands at the beginning of the eighteenth century called one of the territories of the park “The Ridge of the World”.
In the nineteenth century, an expedition of Lewis and Clark arrived on the land now occupied by the park. After discovering the Indians, it was decided to build Fort Manuel, which was intended for trade. In 1910, the National Park was founded and the territory began to be actively built up with roads, hotels and campgrounds to attract tourists and their convenience.
About the wealth of the National Park
The area of the park is about 4000 sq. km (more than 1000 thousand acres) and this whole vast territory includes two parts of mountain ranges, 25 active glaciers, 200 waterfalls and about 135 lakes.
Lake MacDonald is the largest and is located in the western part of the park. Its length is about 15 kilometers, its depth is also very impressive - 140 meters. This is the most famous and most visited lake in the park.
Small lakes are located in depressions, the so-called carats. Many bodies of water are light turquoise in color, which is explained by glacial deposits. The spectacle, no matter how hard to guess, is fabulous! In the dry months, many waterfalls unfortunately dry up. The most popular of these are Swiftcarent, McDonald and, by far, the highest waterfall, Birdwomen.
Glaciers, of course, attract the attention of all tourists. In the middle of the nineteenth century, there were about 150 of them in the park, by now their number has significantly decreased as a result of melting. Scientists are studying this issue in detail and come to the conclusion that in a few years there will be no glaciers at all and this process cannot be stopped. This is another reason to come to the National Park, because very soon its appearance may change significantly.
Travelers have the opportunity not only to admire nature, but also to see the most real wild animals - wolves, moose, badgers, wolverines, black bears, rams and many other different animals. In addition, the park is home to two species of animals that are threatened with extinction - the grizzly and the Canadian lynx. It is also interesting that the official symbol of the park is the snow goat, which can also be found on a walk.
About 1135 species of plants grow on the territory of the park, 23 species of freshwater fish live in the lakes, and 260 species of all kinds of birds soar in the sky - the feeling that all wildlife has gathered here! That is why a visit to the park will certainly be interesting not only for ordinary tourists, but also for ecologists, biologists and other specialists in this field.
Indian peoples (ancestors of the Salish, Shoshone and Cheyenne) called the modern Glacier National Park a sacred place, and this is not surprising, because the ancient Indians had a huge number of rituals and rituals associated with nature. Modern people like to compare this park with Switzerland and the Alps.
Glacier is not just a beautiful place, it is part of a whole ecosystem that has come down to us in its original form.
h2> Climate
Certain factors create a huge variety of climates and microclimates in the park. As elsewhere among mountain peaks, the higher you go, the colder it will get. During tourist periods, the maximum air temperature is about 20 ° C. It is important to note that snowfall can occur at any time of the year, even in summer, which is quite common. So those who are tired of the summer heat and want to catch snowflakes with their tongues will definitely like Glacier!
Entering the park, you will immediately feel how clean, fresh air is here. This is due to the fact that there are no large settlements in the areas located nearby. Also, there are almost no factories, factories and other industrial pollutants nearby. The same factors explain the high quality of water in the lakes.
Tourist routes
The abundance of tourist routes allows travelers to explore the territory from all sides. In Glacier Park, it is possible to make both walking and using transport. The most interesting and beautiful trip is the "Road to the Sun" - one of the most famous routes. Visitors are encouraged to travel 50 miles by car or small bus.
This little adventure will start from the lower territories, and will end at an altitude of 2000 meters on the Continental Pass. For a 2-hour trip, travelers will see in all their beauty coniferous forests, flower meadows, snowy mountain peaks, and many glacial lakes!
It will be equally interesting to see the park from the air. This can be done while sitting in an airplane or helicopter, which will be gladly provided by the park staff. Such excursions are very popular, because wild, untouched nature looks very bright and expressive from a height.
For those who want to take a closer look at the glaciers, there is an excursion on the water. This is a very exciting activity, because each glacier is unique, has its own unique shape and color. It is very convenient to contemplate all this beauty from the ship. Of course, I would like to get closer to the glaciers, but this poses a threat to life.
It is worth noting that the most picturesque views can be seen only from hiking trails.
Where to stay to live?
To fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere in the park and see as much beauty as possible, travelers can stay in various tourist camps and cozy, comfortable hotels. All of them are located in picturesque places and, in addition to the housing itself, include all kinds of restaurants, shops, recreation areas, etc.
Glacier National Park is a place that captivates from the very first minute. Admiring the omnipotent nature, you find harmony with yourself and the whole world!
Another interesting place in the USA is the Carlsbad Caves.
