We were very excited to visit Glacier National Park and have a total of 11 days at the park. For the first part of the trip we had reservations at Apgar Campground. We had a great site and after we set up went for a quick walk to check out Lake MacDonald and the Apgar Village. We also got our bikes ready as we planned to ride the Going to the Sun Road the next day.
The Going to the Sun Road is an epic road that connects West Glacier to the east side of the park. It usually opens in late June or early July. There is a brief period where they let bicyclists ride the part of the road that is plowed but not yet open to cars. When we were there, cyclists could ride 8 miles each way to what is called the loop (a sharp hairpin turn on the road.) The day we arrived the road was open even past the loop for cyclists but that day there was an avalanche and it was closed again to the loop. We were very excited to ride our e-bikes on the road.
The next day we got up and drove to Avalanche Campground where we would start our bike ride. The Avalanche campground there isn’t until July and they let the bikers park their cars in the campsites. It was almost full when we arrived at 10:00 am.
The ride up Going to the Sun Road was spectacular. We were in awe after each corner. It was so beautiful and truly a once in a lifetime experiene. It is hard to describe or show in pictures. It was cold and we did bundle up with hat, gloves, and jacket, especially on the way down.
After our ride, we headed to the McDonald Lodge to find a cup of coffee. We saw folks headed out on the famous red bus tours. It looked like fun but not as much as riding our bikes up the mountain.
That evening I headed out to catch sunset at the lake. It was a bit early as sun doesn’t set till almost 10:00 each night. John met a young couple from Germany, Stephen and Katarina, here for a year traveling around in an RV they purchased when they arrived. We invited them back to our site for a beer. We had a great conversation and it was fun to hear about their adventures around the US. We even exchaned contact info with them in case we are ever in Munich. .
Our first full day at Glacier was wonderful and we are looking forward to more adventures.