Avalanches of Avalanche Creek Glacier National Park

Avalanche Creek is on the western portion of Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road. While walking on the trail of Avalanche Creek, we finally know why it gets its name, because of all those thundering avalanches!

The view of Avalanche Creek Gorge is simply gorgeous and breathtaking.

The Cedars Nature Trail is a boardwalk easy and relaxing trail, compared to the trail of Avalanche Creek all the way to the Avalanche Lake.

And the Deer!

Lake McDonald - Glacier's Largest Lake

On May 29, 2011, we started our visit at Glacier National Park. Our first stop before driving through West Entrance was Waterton-Glacier Park Headquarters, which is to me all about Alberta and made me feel I was crossing the border to Canada!

From Apgar Visitor Center, we got a Glacier road map from the park ranger and decided to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road along the shores of Lake McDonald until Avalanche Creek where the road beyond was closed. Lake McDonald is Glacier's largest lake. The water is icy cold, and the view is splendid with all those snow-covered mountain surrounding it. My fondest moment was sitting at the northern shore looking to the south in the afternoon sun, warm and calm... ... And those pretty pebbles, green or red, smooth and flattened, so pretty I couldn't help taking two pieces home for souvenirs.

Glacier National Park - Crown of the Continent

Established as the 10th national park, Glacier National Park celebrated its 100th anniversary on May 11, 2010. It is now 101 years old!

Glacier National Park was named for the glaciers that carved, sculpted, and formed this landscape millions of years ago. Some scientists have predicted that by the year 2020, there will be no more glaciers in Glacier National Park due to global climate change. Despite the recession of current glaciers, the park's name will not be changed when the glaciers are gone. I would like to revisit Glacier in 2020, even though I would probably not be able to retire and travel freely by then.
 
These are some examples of global warming impact on Glacier National Park:

The year of 2003 was one of the hottest recorded years in Glacier National Park's history. That year, approximately 144,000 acres burned from multiple wildfires.

Eight inches of snow fell during one night at Glacier's high country in August, 2005. The weather forced hundreds of backpackers out of the back country.

In 1976, Glacier National Park was designated as a World Biosphere Reserve. This designation recognizes Glacier’s intact ecosystem as a valuable place for sound research and education to take place in a sustainable manner.

In 1985, the 50-mile long Going-to-the-Sun Road was dedicated as National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. A drive across the park on the Going-to-the-Sun Road is a highlight of any visit to Glacier National Park. However, a portion of the road from Avalanche Creek in the West to Jackson Glacier Outlook in the East was closed when we were there, so we had to drive down to the South along US Route 2, then up to the North 89 to enter Glacier from Saint Mary. It gave us a great chance to see the gradual changes of Glacier landscape, weather, plants, and animals.