My first thought after I broke my knee cap was how this would impact my upcoming travel plans.
I had a packed spring schedule, with trips to NYC, Zion National Park, Panama City Beach and Montana all within the first two months of my now recovery time. While I loved the first three, I had never been to Montana before and the thought that I’d have to miss out on some of the adventures was heartbreaking. Luckily, my knee recovered quickly (at least to the point where I didn’t need the brace anymore and could ditch the crutches), and I was still able to fulfill all my travel plans.
NYC, Zion and PCB all came and went and it was time for my big Montana trip. Still a little unsure how many activities I would be able to do, I packed my bags and boarded a flight to Missoula.
Within the first several hours of stepping off the plane we were hiking around Missoula and on a beer biking tour, where I drank more than actually biking. The knee seemed to be doing fine and by the time we arrived in Many Glacier, the last two days of my Montana trip, I felt pretty much like my old self.
Many Glacier is one of those truly awesome places, and I’m talking the literal sense of the word awesome. It’s an awe inspiring, mouth hanging open, smile is bigger, you sleep more soundly, type of place. Located on the east side of Glacier National Park and north of the Going to the Sun Road (a very popular tourist spot), Many Glacier feels like you’ve been transported to the Swiss Alps, without the transatlantic flight.
We stayed at Many Glacier Hotel, a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel is grand but not like the ultra modern design of new hotels. Many Glacier Hotel has big wood balconies, a gorgeous lakeside location, and barely there wifi service. It’s a spot where you can grab a huckleberry mojito or hot chocolate and head out to the large patio with binoculars to search for bears and deers across the lake while settling into a rocking chair to watch the sun set over the mountains.
When people talk about peaceful locations, they are talking about Many Glacier.
Here are some travel tips based on our itinerary:
Hiking and Boat Rides:
If you’re looking for outdoor adventures, this is the spot to come. With many short day hikes and the start of longer hikes, you can have glacier hikes or lakeview lakes. We set out on a 5 mile hike around Lake Josephine Trail. (Check out 5 more hikes from Many Glacier)
When we arrived at the lake, after passing some bear poop (which was so cool!), we were super excited to join a boat ride around the lake, something that is offered to hikers to get from one side to the other.
Lake Josephine is a place where you definitely don’t want to forget your camera. The bright blue sky against the muted green lake and literally forest green trees is something that requires no filter and will make your Instagram likes go up by the second.
Dining Options:
Ptarmigan Dining Room– Unless you bring your own food, the dining options are pretty limited. With a lake view, this rustic dining room serves local Montana produce and meats whenever possible. This is a sit down, mountain chic option, so make a reservation and dress up.
What to pack:
Bring all your hiking gear (full pants, boots, great socks) plus layers to add and take off depending on the time of day. We visited the park in late June and it was warm- I hiked with yoga pants and a tank top but brought a work-out sweatshirt to cover up if I needed. At night, the temperatures drop down and you could need a much bigger coat. Be prepared and bring several layers to bundle up if you need it.
Have you been to Glacier National Park? What was your favorite part?
