July 25, 2025 - Driving from Alaska to Maryland
St. Mary Lake, Glacier NP
This morning we had a nice breakfast in the St. Mary Village Main Lodge restaurant, then decided to spend the morning hiking around Saint Mary Lake before driving to our overnight destination in Great Falls, Montana.
   
Driving into the Park from the East Entrance.  There is no timed entry reservation required if you are coming in from the east side.
   
 
   
Behind one of those antique touring cars.
   
We were lucky to get one of the few parking spots on the side of the road by Saint Mary Falls trailhead.  Then we hiked downhill to the lake.
   
 
   
Back on the Three Falls Trail, only further west than we were yesterday.
   
We saw one falls yesterday; we'll see the other two today.
   
Glacier National Park grows on you, I must say.
   
The air was crystal clear this morning.
   
 
   
 
   
Descending down to the lake.
   
 
   
The western end of Saint Mary Lake.
   
 
   
Approaching Saint Mary Falls.
   
 
   
Saint Mary Falls.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Lynnette likes the falls.
   
 
   
Looking east down river.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
A pastel-colored stone riverbed.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
We make it to Virginia Falls.
   
Nice.
   
 
   
We turned around at Virginia Falls and headed back.
   
 
   
Back at the bridge by the Saint Mary Falls.
   
 
   
 
   
That's one massive rock.
   
Hiking back up to the minivan.
   
We can see big Saint Mary Lake again.
   
So pretty with a little splash of wildflower.
   
Hiking back to the minivan along the "Going-To-The-Sun" road.
   
 
   
We departed Glacier National Park and headed southeast along Route 89 towards Great Falls, Montana.  We're completely out of the Rocky Mountains now, never to return (this trip).
   
This is Great Plains country.
   
Looking west at the Rocky Mountains.
   
Passing by the Montana Dinosaur Center in Bynum, Montana.
   

Driving through flat land.

We also passed through the little town of Choteau, Montana where I have landed twice in my plane.  Choteau has a very nice airport; It's a good cross-country stop with crew car.  I never thought I would drive through it in my personal car.
   
We arrived in Great Falls around 4PM and thought we might check out the Lewis & Clark Museum.  The museum was so good we didn't have enough time to do it justice.  We decided to come back in the morning.   That's the Missouri River at left.
   
Something you don't see every day;  a train passes us going the opposite direction -- above us!
   
We stayed at an AirBnb.  Basically, the basement had been converted into the guest lodging.  It was perfect for us:  two bedrooms and a family room area.  We entered the lodging from the backyard which took us a little bit to figure out.
   
 
   
Previous
Home
Next