Wild West day 35

We got an earlier that usual start this morning.  Lots to see.  Heading out of the campground, we made a left and hit the Going-To-The-Sun Road driving along the east shore of Lake McDonald, although the lake was not very visible due to the trees.  Beyond the lake we began climbing and the clouds covering the mountains were a site to see.

But, alas, we had to turn back.  The park restricts vehicles over 21' in length beyond the Avalanche Campground area due to sharp turns and overhangs.  Drat!  But, I knew this going in.  My plan is to go up the road as far as they allow on this side, then go back down, circle the park and come in from the other side.

Just before we reached the turn-around area, we encountered a traffic jam.  As traffic slowly filtered through the obstacle, we finally reached it, the cause of the jam.  Some idgit in a RoadTrek apparently tried to turn around in the middle of the road instead of going on up to the turn-around area and got hung up.  I'd bet he was embarrassed or should have been anyway.  He had backed off the pavement and got the rear-end stuck in the ditch.

So, we turned around at the appointed place (they had a good turn-around area) and headed back down. The van was still there, but I could see a wrecker coming down the road.  Hope the guy had good roadside service.

As we headed back down toward the Apgar area, we had a good view of the stream filling Lake McDonald.  I'm not sure of the name, but it might be McDonald Creek or River.  Joyce stayed in the RV, but I just had to get out.

McDonald Falls

Out of the park and looping around the south side on US Hwy 2, we stopped at a river access for lunch and a nap.  It's the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Some fellow was there trying his luck, but I didn't see any evidence of it.

 

After my nap, we continued on Hwy 2 and wore our eyes out.

We hit State Hwy 49 at East Glacier Park and took it for a shortcut.  There were signs limiting vehicle length to 21' again, but since it wasn't actually in the park, we decided to look the other way.

Even Ditto was impressed.

Then on into the park as far as we could go.

Wanna see more?

Enough is enough, so we headed out US Hwy 89 to a campground at Valier, Mt. about 10 miles east off Hwy 89.  Amazing how quickly the landscape changes.

It bored Ditto

The side trip was worth it.  The Lake Francis City Park was a nice stop and we had had a big day.