Montana - Going-to-the-Sun Road Part 2

Since we or shall I say Mark made it from the beginning of the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the start on the west side of Glacier National Park to the closure, it only made sense to go over to the east side of the park and complete that part of the road. On Monday, we entered the park at the St. Mary's entrance and were able to drive to the vehicle closure at Jackson Glacier overlook before mounting our bikes. The next 2.5 miles (one way) took us to the hiker/biker closure. This section was a lot steeper for the short mileage we went but with virtually no one on this side of the park it was very peaceful and quiet. We did talk to a couple that were just finishing their bike ride when we started, and I asked them if they thought I'd be ok on this portion of the road. They said the views were EPIC and they felt it would be easier than the section past "the Loop" from the west side. They were correct. At the top we spoke to a couple that volunteers to ride the road, help with flat tires, accidents, animal sightings, etc. They have been volunteering for several years and were a wealth of information. It really makes you appreciate everything and everyone that is involved in maintaining these parks for our enjoyment. 

On one of the exhibits, it stated that the bears love huckleberries. Now what bear doesn't like berries? On our last night here, we stopped and got some huckleberry pie to go. The store/bakery we stopped at had huckleberry everything; ice cream, jam, pie, syrup, you name it they had it. These sweet and tart berries are ready for picking in late summer. If you pick within the national park you're allowed 1 quart per day, just watch out for those furry friends, for where there are huckleberries there are bears.

Next up...Oh Canada!

Mountain Goat

On our way to the east side, we made a few stops

and were treated to this beautiful goat just taking in the scenery.

Not a ripple on this lake.

Back on the bikes.

Looking up toward the mountain, the water from all of 

the snow melt was coming down pretty fast. 

The water went under the bridge and under

this snow bridge. You could see the water

again, just a little way down from here.

We made it for the EPIC views.

The second most photographed spot in Glacier N.P. - Wild Goose Island.

 The little island gets the credit, but we're guessing that it's the backdrop that everyone's after. 

We had heard that we might see bighorn sheep at 

the Many Glacier Lodge. Unfortunately, they were

lodging somewhere else when we were there.