HRA Ride to Glacier Park, Day 3 (Kalispell MT to Canada to Glacier Park and back to Kalispell)

HRA Ride to Glacier Park, Day 3 (Kalispell MT to Canada to Glacier Park and back to Kalispell)

This pristine ride is why we took two days to get here. And it did not disappoint. Left Kalispell (up the 93) and ventured through Whitefish MT. (Cute town that made us wish we booked the night there.) Pressed on to Eureka. As we approached the border check, up on the bluff overlooking us was a live deer. As if to welcome us to Canada. On the other side, we found the roads to be in better shape then the washed out bumpy roads on the American side. In contrast, Canada roads were in good shape or being freshly repaved. Caught the 3 (Crowsnest Highway ) in Elko. That road followed a stream up to Sparwood before heading east. Stopped for lunch in Crowsnest AB at The Rum Runner restaurant. I highly recommend this location. The food was awesome, the service was great. Continued east until we caught the 6 south and back to America.

Took the 89 down to St Mary then west through Glacier Park on the “Going to the sun road”. That was such an awesome road. There was still patches of snow (in July). The cliffs seemed to seep water from every crack, collecting into gorgeous cool waterfalls. The road weaved and switched back through awe inspiring landscape. Wild flowers of every color. Snapped a few pictures of the Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats. Near the bottom of the canyon, the road fell into a criss cross dance with the pure crystal blue waters of the brook. (Fitting that the name there was Crystal point.) Both leading you to surreal views of lake McDonald.

As the road winded through the woods back towards Kalispell, I had plenty of time to ponder how beautiful this park is. Not only was it worth the saddle time to get here, it would be worth buying a new bike to get it done right. (If ever you needed an excuse to buy a bike, this is it…)