Arrived at Glacier National Park

We arrived at East Glacier Park and checked in at the Mountain Pine Motel for a three night stay.

Mountain Pine Motel in East Glacier Park

The owner was very helpful at pointing out things we should do as first time visitors. Since we had a half day, he suggested we go up to Two Medicine Road to enter the park where we could find a nice short natural trail to see Running Eagle Falls.

Betty at Running Eagle Falls Nature Trail sign

When we arrived at the trail head, we realized we had left our canister of bear spray back in our motel room. Betty was hesitant to walk the trail without it, so we drove on to the end of the road which terminates at Two Medicine Lake. We considered taking a boat ride to tour the lake, but the wind was howling and the waters on the lake were choppy. Given Betty is prone to motion sickness, we decided against it.

Sinopah boat on Two Medicine Lake

Before heading back to our motel, we decided to check out how the other half lives by visiting the Glacier Park Lodge. We arrived just in time to catch a short tour of the lodge which was very interesting. The large vertical tree trunks around the perimeter of the lobby are Douglas fir that were harvested in Oregon during the winter so they would retain their bark. The lodge was so successful they started building additional wings to the hotel just a year after it opened.

Interior of Glacier Park Lodge

View of railroad depot from entrance of Glacier Park Lodge