WHAT THE LOCALS KNOW... • Population:More then 70 species of mammals and over 260 species of birds • Preserves over 1,000,000 acres of National Forest lands • The Polebridge Mercantile was established in 1914,just 4 years after Glacier Park became a park 38 Majestic North Idaho | www.northidaho.org Glacier National Park Glacier's 762 mountain lakes are stunning for their sheer size and the towering mountains rising from the shores of their clear waters. Majestic landscapes, abundant wildlife sanctuaries, and breath-taking mountainscapes set the backdrop for one of the most beautiful places in the Rocky Mountains. This global treasure was sculpted over millions of years by the harsh forces of nature, but the soft beauty that now eminates from this picturesque paradise will welcome and delight you. In 1910 President Taft signed a bill to establish this area as the 10th National Park in the United States. Ever since 1911, when the park drew 4,000 visitors and tourists would ride the train to Glacier and travel by horseback to stay at chalets in the high country, people have been inspired and recognize the value of the spectacular scenic beauty. Glacier’s 1,600 square miles offer visitors a variety of activities, including biking, backpacking, camping, fishing, boating, and horseback riding. The spectacular glaciated landscape is a hikers paradise containing 700 miles of maintained trails that lead deep into one of the largest intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states. Visitors to the park traveling on the “Going-to-the-Sun” road marvel at how such a road could have been built. At 50-miles long, the final section of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, over Logan Pass, was completed in 1932 after 11 years of work. The road is considered an engineering feat and is a National Historic Landmark. It is one of the most scenic roads in North America. The construction of the road forever changed the way visitors would experience Glacier National Park. Future visitors would drive over sections of the park that previously had taken days of horseback riding to see. For animal lovers, wildlife abounds here, and black bear, elk, moose, and white-tail deer. Explore the rustic wilderness or just enjoy the pine covered hills surounding the crystal blue water of Bowman Lake. Tour an area home to a vast Native American culture brimming with tradition and discover two native reservations occupied by the Confederated Salish and the Kootenai Tribes filled with natural beauty all their own. The park contains over 350 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and six National Historic Landmarks. SCENIC GATEWAY TO GLACIER This is a wonderful scenic route to take if you’re headed east on I-90. Just travel eastbound on I-90 until you reach the Kingston Exit #43. Follow Forest Road 9 until you reach Pritchard. At Pritchard, turn right at the sign that says Murray/ Thompson Falls/Thompson Pass. Follow this road over the pass and you’ll come to Hwy 200. Take a right onto Hwy 200 and travel to Plains, Montana. At Plains, take a left onto Hwy 28 and follow it until it turns into Hwy 93. Follow 93 to Kalispell, Montana. In Kalispell, get onto Hwy 2 and follow it through Columbia Falls to West Glacier. You can take an easy 1-mile hike to Rivet Lake from the top of Thompson Pass. Or for the more adventurous, there’s also a 2.8 mile hike from the Thompson Pass trailhead into Blossom Lake. For another scenic drive before you get to Glacier, take the Silver Loop Tour. Past Thompson Pass lies the town of Thompson Falls. From there, follow the Clark Fork River for a scenic backroads tour to St. Regis, Montana. At St. Regis, head back west on I-90 and stop at the 10,000 Dollar Saloon for a unique old-time shopping experience. The loop continues west through Wallace, Kellogg, and Kingston. ROUTE A: Of the three routes heading to Glacier, this is the fastest.This loop takes you through Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Kellogg and Wallace, and is known for its spectacular mountain peaks and the 52-mile high Going-To-The-Sun Road. Directions to Route A1: Travel east on I-90 through Coeur d’Alene, Kellogg, and Wallace, and drive over Lookout Pass into Montana. Exit at St. Regis. Take Hwy 135 along the St. Regis River until you reach the junction with Hwy 200. For a shorter route, turn left and go through Paradise until you reach Plains. From Plains, follow Hwy 28 north until it turns into Hwy 93 and proceed to Kalispell, Montana. From Kalispell, take Hwy 2 through the towns of Columbia Falls, Hungry Horse and Coram. Next is the town of West Glacier, the gateway to Glacier National Park. Directions to Route A2: Upon reaching the junction of Hwy 135 and Hwy200, take a right onto Hwy 200 and follow it past the National Bison Range and through the Mission Mountain Valley. Take a left onto Hwy 93 and follow the remaining directions for Route A (1).