It’s not just a Clark W. Griswold quote, it’s actually true in our case. We decided to spend Memorial Day Weekend at the StepsAway cabin, StepsAway 254, in West Glacier, Montana. There are a number of routes we could take to get there – all of them loaded with beautiful scenery – but lately we succumbed to taking the fastest route. From Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, that means taking I-90 east. The first picture is Lake Coeur d’Alene taken from the high bridge leaving town at 65 mph.
An hour and a half, Fourth of July Pass, and Lookout Pass later, we leave the interstate behind at St. Regis, Montana. The sign indicating that this is the route to Glacier National Park, although technically accurate, has to be one of the most misleading signs in the state. The route from there to GNP covers no fewer than 7 more highways with even more “turns” and covers another 100+ miles.
It’s this part of the route, however, where the fun begins. I love driving the smooth two lane highways in Montana. The scenery is stunning around every curve – mountain vistas, green valleys, huge meadows full of cattle and sage brush. And nearly every highway follows a river. Descending down from Lookout Pass, the interstate follows the gradually increasing stream of the St. Regis River. But once off the interstate, the impressive Clark Fork River takes over. On this trip it was particularly impressive – stretching wide enough that it has caused some serious flooding in some areas. One of our favorite pit stops – maybe it’s the dogs’ favorite pit stop – is on the bank of the Clark Fork, just outside Paradise.
Yep, it’s true… this route to Glacier National Park goes right through the middle of Paradise, MT. This small town deserves a lot of credit for the audacity to call itself Paradise compared to all of the incredible spots within the state. To be fair, we haven’t actually stopped and spent anytime there, so it very well could be…
One of the most stunning views is the first glimpse of Flathead Lake. Coming
over that last rise before connecting with US Highway 93 never fails to impress. Although there’s another good hour yet to travel, driving through Lakeside and Somers, and over toward BigFork, makes the drive go by quickly.
Finally, we’re always excited to make the turn onto Going To The Sun Road and entering the village of West Glacier. We’re only a block away from the cabin at this point and excited to start another little adventure within and around the Park. At this time of the year, we also know we have serious daylight until well after 9pm, and the days just keep getting longer!
