West Glacier, Whitefish, Hungry Horse - Montana

June 1 - 3, 2010 - After Butte, we head for our destination, Hungry Horse, MT. Driving incredible mountain scenery through the Flathead National Forest, we go 236 miles north on the 90 & 83 to Glacier's gateway in Hungry Horse. Another rainy day, with Charlie still sick (cought a cold somewhere in South Dakota, which I will later get as well), we were super stoked to arrive at our cabin, The Tamarack Lodge, just 8 miles from Glacier National Park's west entrance. We decided to chance the rainy weather that evening and drive out 20 miles to Whitefish, well rewarded with great dinner at the Buffalo Cafe.

The following day, we head out to Glacier National Park. Even with the rainstorm, we did not want to miss out on our hiking. We biked Glacier's main road, Going to the Sun Road for 15 1/2 miles until the dead end (the road was closed due to snow plowing). Our 4 mile muddy hike through Avalanche Creek to Avalanche Lake was spectacular and even more magical in the wet rain. The forest was so dense and green with life, with clouds rolling through the trees as the large whitewater creek rolled through the enormous jutting mountains. After a fulfilling rainy hike, we biked to the lodge at Lake McDonald (inside Glacier Park) to have lunch and get warm & dry again. The rain did not let up, but the scenery was nothing short of breathtaking. We later had awesome barbecue for dinner at Piggy Back BBQ in Whitefish (well, Charlie enjoyed bbq pulled pork and I had mac n cheese).

Our last day west of Glacier, Charlie takes Pearl for her second oil change at our 10,000 mile mark! I spent the day enjoying a walk in the quaint western downtown of Whitefish with stunning views of the surrounding mountains while Pearl got tuned up. We then headed out through the rain towards the Blackfeet Indian Reservation city of Browning, MT.

Charlie, still feeling sick drinks tea at Buffalo Cafe.

Moose Drool Beer

Deer while hiking to Avalance Lake.

Avalanche Creek at it's narrowest, cuts deep through the rock.

The water was so clear.

Whitewater at Avalanche Creek.

Spot the Sasquatch at Avalanche Creek.

Hiking in the rain through the dense forest.

Cloud covered mountains at Avalanche Lake.

Timer shot, wet at Avalanche Lake.

Enjoying warmth in the historic lodge at Lake McDonald.

Lodge shot with a polar bear rug.

Charlie skipping rocks at Lake McDonald.

Our lodge cabin, getting ready to leave in more rain.

Pearl and Charlie in front of our cabin.