Glacier National Park

 After Banff we headed out for our final major stop at Glacier National Park. We stayed on the east side at the Johnson's Campground in St. Mary. The drive back into the US was good a little rain as usual and the busiest boarder crossing we experienced. There was another camper a few cars ahead of us and they had to pull off to have their camper looked at so fully expected we would as well. But we were pleasantly surprised when we got just one question and welcome back and we were on our way. The fun continued from Banff with Becky's parents driving down and joining us for a day in the park. A lot of sightseeing, we were able to finally take the Going to the Sun road that was still closed last time we were here on our first trip in 2015 when we stayed on the west side of the park. Glacier continued the theme in Banff of way to many people. 

Coming in from the east side where we didn't need any passes to get onto the road and it wasn't too bad at first, we found a place to park at our first two stops where we hiked to some amazing waterfalls. But after that it was pretty much wall to wall cars. We circled Logan pass parking lot a couple times looking for spots and not finding any continued down the road and then Avalanche lake was a hike I really wanted to do again as we had hiked it our first time here. But again no parking to be found and a lot of people hovering trying to find spots. We continued on hoping maybe we would find something on the way back. We didn't so missed that opportunity to relive a cherished memory but oh well. We did take a turn and drove down a road by Lake McDonald that turned into a single lane dirt road through a burned out forest with signs about watching for falling trees. It was interesting, ended at a trailhead but by then we were hiked out so just took a look at the lake and headed back over to the east side. The drive through the mountains was beautiful and I can totally see why so many people want to see it. After that day Becky's folks took off the next morning and we still had two days planned in the park. We decided that morning we'll do some more sightseeing and then we'll move on a day early tomorrow. I had a real long drive scheduled to Rapid City so breaking it into two with a 7 hour and 5 hour day made sense anyway. For our last day in Glacier we decided we didn't want to venture into the mess of the Going to the Sun Road again so we opted to check out the Canadian side of glacier heading over to Waterton. We figured we had our passports anyway so why not. We crossed the boarder yet again and it was a fun filled day, checked out the town did a few small hikes and drove around seeing 4 or 5 bears (we're thinking one was the same bear a hour or so later). The scenery wasn't as spectacular but it was still pretty darn good and it was a lot less crowded. After that it was time to head home, we stopped in Hardin and stayed at the KOA. Then drove to Rapid City where we had planned to stay for a few days in Rapid but everyone but me was done with the trip. We were able to see my nieces and their kids the night we pulled in so after one night in Rapid we broke camp for the final 6 hour drive home. 

We were exhausted and I'm thinking we probably should have done the trip in reverse instead of burning out to Alaska we should have hit the National Parks on the way out, we likely would have been more tolerable of all the people fresh on the trip. Oh well it's done now. It was a great trip but while everyone couldn't wait to get home, I didn't want it to end. I couldn't shake the thought that this most likely will be the last trip. Hopefully not the last family adventure but probably the last big trip with us all together camping for a whole month. I'm so grateful for this time we've had together as a family. It wasn't always fun or easy but it's been the best time of my life. 

For all those that have followed along with us thanks for reading. Now onto some pictures from Glacier. 

Our campsite at Johnson's Campground in St. Mary's. I couldn't get a spot at the National Park campground. But this was really close to the entrance and worked out will with Becky's parents. This picture is taken from in front of their cabin just up the hill. Was good to be close by. 

View from the campground

View the other direction towards Saint Mary Lake.

After pulling in we decided to go for a hike that was close by the east entrance.

It was a nice trail easy to get to. Marc needed to get a run in so he ran ahead and we walked it. Beaver Pond Loop Trail. But it got sort of confusing and the trail connected to a few different other trails so he called not exactly sure where he was at. He was getting conflicting info from the sign and his watch. So he went back to a trail junction and waited for us since we were pretty sure we were following him yet. And yep he had gone too far down the other trail instead of looping back but we met up with him and he decided he was done running and would walk it out with us. 

For a good portion of the hike we were like why do they call it Beaver Pond there wasn't anything but raspberries for a good portion of the hike. Then on the loop back a couple miles in we came across it. Yep for sure beavers somewhere in there.  

We stayed quite a while at first no sign of beavers just geese doing what geese do.

Then we finally saw it. A beaver made an appearance.

It was pretty awesome.

On the way back the wind picked up and looked like it would storm. It held off was to the north of us but got everyone walking a little quicker. 

Cool tree

Historic 1913 ranger station

Campsite nothing special just a place to park. 

Next day we got on the Going to the Sun road. And took in the scenery.

Hiking to our first of three waterfalls. 

Becky and Marcus at the waterfall

Samus and Marcus walking the ledge to get a better view.

I joined them, here's the view

Kids crossing the river on some logs

After the first falls you could hike to the other two falls or drive up and cut maybe a mile or two off the hike. We walked back and drove up. 

Mossy

The second falls, I don't recall the name but second on the hike. It was a busy place.

Picture of the Munsch Bunch

Samus and Marc climbed down to get a better look. I didn't it was a ways down. 

Dar and Crys enjoying the view

Picture showing all the people. There was a place here in front of the bridge people were rock jumping from. Looked pretty wild. We didn't bring our swimsuits and were too many people when we were there but looked like fun. 

Cool area on the way to the third falls, like this looked like a falls to me but not named.

We climbed down was a fun little area.

Another good one of Sam and Marc

Becky and Jason

Upward and onward

And finally the third falls it was a big one

Group picture

Finally made it back to the parking lot or almost. Crys is getting a hill assist from Marcus

It burned. End of the road along Lake McDonald

Parking area at the trail head I walked in the trail for a bit just to check it out. 

Shot of the three arched bridge on the way back to the east entrance. 

 

 

 

That evening we were tired we took the opportunity to use a full size shower in there cabin and the kids watched a movie with Grandpa on his little tablet. There wasn't a TV in the cabin but data coverage was good here. 

Just the Munsch's now walking around Waterton back in Canada.

Falls in town

On a trail around a little lake outside of town. Shot of the Chateau.

First bear sighting. They are there you can see two in the shot but you have to look close. Was pretty good with the binoculars. At one point the third one was crashing down the hill still way up but through the binoculars it was a bit scary. Large grizzlies, probably a Mom and cubs but the cubs were pretty big.

Maybe not as good as glacier but still pretty good mountain views.

Another walk to a waterfall first we walked around this canyon, people were swimming down in the gorge. 

Platforms were at the end for viewing the falls.

Brothers gotta hug

More burned areas

Becky letting her dogs bark

Marc went to the car and got his suit on... it was cold

He was joined by a friendly dog

We decided to do a drive to a lake and it was a good choice. Bear!

We pulled off into a turn out that was right there and it walked right in front of us. 

Pretty awesome, small bear we're thinking this is a black bear. 

At the lake. We walked around. Marcus went of a run.

Becky taking it all in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunset our last night in Glacier. Trip is pretty much done now just three days of driving to get home.

And now what everyone's been waiting for...

The Family Truckster update!!

Miles Driven: 6659
Gallons of Gas: 595
Time in car: 149 hours

Not the longest trip I was really shocked, 2021's "South by South West" trip still holds the record at 6788 miles and 155 hours in the car. We all could have swore this was the longest. Well if you count the time spent on the ferry which the kids think we should this one would take it, that was another 13 hours traveling at least. At any rate it was one for the books. Our "A Touch of Alaska" trip is complete. 

 

Here's a video I took of the beaver, he gets out onto land and grabs a branch.  

 

Here's a video I got of the bear before he got out of view.