Tags
Big Sky, Ford, Glacier Nationl Park, Going to the Sun, history, Jammer, Montana, National Park, photo, travel, Treasure State
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Well that is obviously not Montana…. Our journey from South Dakota to Montana brought us right past Devils Tower.
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Devils Tower was interesting because it is unique when you compare it to the surrounding landscape. Somehow this tower of rock shot up at this location, and nothing even similar to it, is nearby.
It was interesting to look at, but after staring at it for 10 minutes we were ready to leave
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Now into Montana:
Montana sure is beautiful country
It takes in excess of 10 hours to drive from Devils Tower, WY to Glacier National Park, MT. It was a relief to finally see the mountains, and our destination.
We made it! Up in the cool brisk mountain air.
Montana Cow
Finally into the Park.
The most famous part of Glacier National Park is the Going to the sun road. This road was completed in 1932 and is not built to current standards. Vehicles over 21 feet long or 8 feet wide are not permitted on the road. Usually RV’ers could leave their trailers at the 2 campgrounds on the east side of the park. But thanks to a Forest Fire this summer, both are still closed. Thankfully in the nearby town of St. Mary’s there is a privately run campground.
After leaving the trailer, we started on the Going to the Sun Road.
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Spectacular views
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People travel from far and wide to come and see the changing fall colors. We seem to always be in the right place at the right time.
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The going to the sun road is only open for four months of the year. From mid October- mid June this road is buried under tons of snow. It is impossible to keep it plowed, as avalanches are frequent, not to mention if you drive off the road it is a long way down to the bottom.
Once across Logan Pass, which is the highest point on the going to the sun road, we found this spot with turquoise water.
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Water cannot get any fresher than this, straight off the Glacier- it was delicious.
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Don’t report us! We obtained this sign through legal means.
Possibly one of the most famous and recognizable man made objects in the park are the 1930’s era buses. Built in 1930, these buses are custom built for the winding, narrow lanes of the going to the sun road. After 70 years in service, Ford rebuilt them all in 2001. These buses are commonly called “Reds”, and the drivers were given the nickname Jammer’s, because to drive up the steep mountain pass, drivers would be grinding and Jamming gears. Sadly in the 2001 refit, these buses were outfitted with automatic transmissions, which really spoils the history. Surely part of this decision was the fading stock of drivers able to drive an unsynchronized transmission, which if you get the chance, is lots of fun.
We estimate the park has about 30 of these still in use.
No Regrets 