Big Sky Resort in Montana

[Deb & Bill]

The burn areas weren't as bad as the burn areas in Yellowstone. They were obvious, but not as bad. When we hiked to Sperry, we didn't see any burn area there and they evacuated the Chalet last summer because of the fire. To the north of Lake McDonald the burn areas were not too severe. Because of the good rain you had, most of Montana was pretty green. Except for Eastern Montana which didn't get as much rain. Up to about Billings, it looked pretty good.

Can't tell you much about Going to the Sun. All I saw was the yellow line dividing the road between up and down. Up at Logan Pass it appeared to be very green (and white from all the snow).

 

[WDWorld2003]

mtbluejeans - I didn't realize you live there - lucky you! Montana is beautiful and everyone we met was so friendly. I agree, the burned out areas didn't look too bad except around Lake McDonald (the whole west side is burned) and at the Hungry Horse Dam area. It doesn't look as devastating as Yellowstone.

Disney World and the National Parks are so different, yet they both bring out the best in our family. We do hope the national parks and surrounding areas remain protected so future generations can see the same beautiful country we have been so privileged to visit. As you said, it's hard to put into words.

We do plan on going to the Banff area in the next year or two. We hope it's as a great a trip as the one to Glacier!

 

[mtblujeans]

We had company all last summer and we were up at Logan Pass as the fires were headed over the hills and toward Lake McDonald. They probably evacuated Sperry because the smoke was so bad. We were driving up Going To The Sun to Logan Pass and you could look down that valley there (the drop off side) and just see the smoke rolling in. By the end of that day, the smoke had made its way up to the Pass ~ and the fires weren't even there yet. They did not know what was going to be left when the smoke cleared. We drove up there last Fall after the fires slowed down and they let people back in and we were shocked at the burn around Lake McDonald and The Loop. Such a change of scenery! So sad, too. But, it will probably come back even greener (healthier).

They had their first death of the season today in Glacier Park. A man was hiking, yesterday, around Grinnell Glacier that overlooks Many Glacier Valley on the East side. I think he must have been walking on snow and the snow covered a 35' open gap. He fell all the way down and into an 18" wide crevasse. They reported tonight on the news that he had passed away. They are not releasing much info about where he was from and no info about what his injuries were. Poor man!

 

[WDWorld2003]

We hiked to the Grinnell overlook and there were warnings not to go further because of crevasses and unstable areas. We were also warned by a ranger. Glad the guys we were with didn't decide to be macho and go over the snow! It's too bad he didn't heed the warning, I feel so bad for him.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I remember reading about walking on the snow areas for just that reason.

 

[mtblujeans]

It is the front page news story today:

http://www.dailyinterlake.com/NewsE...mand=search&db=news.db&eqskudata=62-815613-13

They make it sound as though he left the trail. But, they really aren't clear. Our newspaper admittedly is not the best.....

 

[TwingleMum]

Thanks for all the wonderful posts. I hope to get out your way someday and really enjoyed reading about it.

 

[mtblujeans]

Oh, yes, you must. Every part of the country has something different in the way of terrain. I would like to see more of the south than I have in my life!