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Glacier National ParkGlacier National Park - home of pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes. Glacier National Park - home of pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes. Over 700 miles of trails, await the hiker. Indeed, a paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness and solitude. A backpacking paradise is found here. It is famous for the towering mountains, pristine alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife.
Glacier National Park was adopted in 1910. A bill introduced into Congress designated the region a national park. This bill was signed into law on May 11, 1910 by President William Howard Taft. Several buildings were built between 1910 and 1913. Five of the hotels are historic landmarks. The chalets include Belton, St. Mary, Going-to-the-Sun, Many Glacier, Two Medicine, Sperry, Granite Park, Cut Bank, and Gunsight Lake. These hotels offer spectacular scenic views. See the Indian artifacts in this beautiful park. The Blackfoot Indians were some of the first settlers in this land. Chief White Calf of the Blackfeet sold the mountain area to the U.S. government with the understanding that they would maintain usage rights to the land for hunting.
Why go overseas to see the Alps? This beautiful land has been nicknamed America's Switzerland. Glorious heights surround you in Glacier National Park. Seven of the mountains here are over 10,000 FT high! Mount Cleveland is the tallest, weighing in at 10,466 feet tall. Glacier National Park has been nicknamed the "Crown of the Continent Ecosystem". Beautiful, untouched wilderness of pristine quality is all around. The park has some of the cleanest air and water found anywhere.
Camping is available in Glacier National Park. Many are close to one of the larger lakes. The campgrounds at St. Mary and at Apgar are open all year. There are no restroom facilities or running water in the off season. Some of the animals seen include grizzly bears and the black bear. Others such as mountain goats and bighorn sheep as well as moose, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, coyote, are found in this wonderful wilderness. Are you a bird Watcher? Prepare yourself to see over 260 species of birds. Some that frequent here are the bald eagle, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, osprey and several species of hawks. Glacier National Park contains one of the National Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks in the country. Imagine yourself climbing along the 53 mile Going to the Sun Road. This famous road crosses the continental divide and allows you to enjoy breathtaking views. Two hundred waterfalls are scattered throughout the park. One of the tallest waterfalls can be easily seen from the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It is Bird Woman Falls which has about a 492 feet drop - don't get too close to the edge!
Fishing is a popular activity in the Glacier National Park. Some of the best fly fishing anywhere can be found here. No permit, no problem - fishing doesn't require one inside of the park. Try out you fishing skills on one of the beautiful lakes! Several beautiful lakes greet you in the park. Some of the largest include Lake McDonald, St. Mary Lake, Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake.
The weather can get quite cold in the higher elevations. Early summer offers the most accommodating weather for the average visitor. Bear in mind some of the laws in the park. Hunting is illegal inside of the park. Mining, logging and the removal of natural resources is also illegal. There has been some construction lately, but the end is near. You may see signs of construction as they are gearing up for the 100th anniversary. In the year 2010, Glacier National Park will be 100 years old - come celebrate!!
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