Going-to-the-Sun Road

Opened in 1932 the 80 km (50 mi.) road from St Mary over the Logan Pass (2026 m (6650 ft)) to West Glacier is considered one the loveliest mountain roads in North America, offering some of the very finest views. The narrow winding route is generally only passable from the second week in June to mid-September and is closed to vehicles over 2.5 m (8 ft) wide or 9 m (29 ft) in length. From St Mary it first skirts the northern shore of St Mary Lake (look out for the information board after about 6 km (31/2 mi.) giving details of the "Triple Divide" just to the south - the watershed of three drainage systems flowing into the Pacific, North Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico respectively). The view of St Mary Lake and the encircling peaks from the big bend beyond Rising Sun must be one of the most photographed in the entire Park. From the lake the road climbs steeply up to Logan Pass and Logan Pass Visitor Center, above which tower the imposing Reynolds (2782 m (9130 ft)) and Clements Mountain (2674 m (8776 ft)). From the Visitor Center a 2 km (11/4 mi.) Nature Trail leads through the Hanging Gardens. The brilliant display of color from the wild flowers blooming in the short summer season is a never-to-be-forgotten sight. There is also a good chance of seeing some of the inhabitants of this alpine ecosystem, the marmots and Rocky Mountain goats. Two of the mountain walks here deserve particular mention, one to the crescent shaped Hidden Lake and the other to the Granite Park Chalet (along the steep sided Garden Wall with its sharp ridge). Beyond Logan Pass the road down into the McDonald Valley is a marvel of highway engineering, snaking daringly through various curves and a big, sharp bend to the valley below. From Avalanche Creek campsite in the McDonald Valley a popular walk along the "Cedar Trail" goes to Avalanche Lake, fed by five waterfalls. Built as a private house in 1913 the historic Lake McDonald Lodge, right on the lakeside, retains much of the atmosphere of the old West and acts a base for mountain hikes to Sperry Chalet and the Sperry Glacier (backpackers can carry on over Gunsight Pass to St Mary Lake). Boat trips on the lake are run from the Lodge. Boat rental, trail riding. From July to the beginning of September hikers can use the cabins at Sperry Chalet and Granite Park Chalet for overnight stops provided they book in advance.