Tag Archive for: western montana’s glacier country

Thank Glacial Lake Missoula for Much of the West’s Landscape

 

Have you seen the magnificent, scoured rocks and cliffs that make the Columbia River Gorge in the Pacific Northwest? Or tasted the wines from the Willamette Valley wines in Oregon? Scientists say we can thank the massive floods from Glacial Lake Missoula in Western Montana for those landscapes and fine wines.

Glacial Lake Missoula and its catastrophic floods during the last ice age – roughly 12,000-18,000 years ago – are responsible for the amazing landscapes from Western Montana through Eastern Washington and the Columbia River Gorge out to the Pacific Ocean. Scientists believe Glacial Lake Missoula was formed by ice dams that held back what is now the Clark Fork River just before the Idaho border. These dams were 2,000 feet in depth and held back 600 cubic miles of water (as much as Lake Erie and Lake Ontario combined). When released, the flood waters’ force was equal to that of 60 Amazon Rivers. There is evidence that roughly 40 catastrophic floods originated from Glacial Lake Missoula, and giant current ripples can be seen in the hills throughout the region. Ice tore away soil, creating the scablands of Eastern Washington, and deposited mineral-rich sediment into the Willamette Valley.

Scientists say we can thank the massive floods from Glacial Lake Missoula in Western Montana for much of the landscape in the Western United States. Photo courtesy of Western Montana’s Glacier Country

For more information on Western Montana’s Glacier Country, visit GlacierMT.com.

Fulfill Your “Yellowstone” Fan Dreams in Western Montana

 

Fans of the Paramount TV series “Yellowstone,” starring Kevin Costner, Cole Hauser, Kelly Reilly, Luke Grimes and Wes Bentley, have been showing up in Western Montana trying to get a glimpse of the life of John Dutton and his – shall we say, complicated – family and their Yellowstone Ranch.

Before season four began filming, the entire production was relocated to Western Montana, where Dutton’s ranch resides – also known to the locals as Chief Joseph Ranch. Different locations and various businesses have been utilized for filming around Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula.

For those fans who have asked for locations to visit on their next trip to Western Montana, we’ve got you covered. Please be respectful of those who live and work at these establishments as you are fulfilling your Yellowstone fan dreams through the region. See the self-drive itinerary including the “Train Station” here. And for those who really want to take your Yellowstone fandom to the next level, overnight stays are allowed at Chief Joseph Ranch when they are not filming the show.

You can fulfill your “Yellowstone” fan dreams in Western Montana’s Glacier Country, where the entire filming production is currently located. Photo courtesy of Glacier Country Tourism

For more information on Western Montana’s Glacier Country, visit GlacierMT.com.

Glacier Country’s Picture-Perfect Scenery Begs to be Photographed

There are certain places that exist in the world that are so beautiful, they almost don’t seem real. One such place: Western Montana. Glacier Country is filled to the brim with amazing scenery and picture-perfect scenes. Here are just a few:

Twilight at Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park
Accessible year-round, this view of Lake McDonald from Apgar is located just inside the west entrance of Glacier National Park.

Missoula from Mount Sentinel
One of the most popular Missoula hikes, the zigzagging trail that leads up to the “M” on Mount Sentinel is an easy hike, with views all along its path.

Kootenai Falls and Kootenai Falls Swinging Bridge
Kootenai Falls (between Libby and Troy) from the swinging bridge. This picturesque bridge is suspended over the rushing Kootenai River, presenting the perfect photo op and an unforgettable experience.

The Mission Mountains
As you travel along Highway 93 from Missoula to Polson, you’ll be met by the impressive peaks of the Mission Mountains. A few favorite photo locations for this mountain range are cresting Ravalli Hill just south of St. Ignatius (use the designated scenic pullout) and Ninepipes Lodge in Charlo.

As you travel along Highway 93 from Missoula to Polson, you’ll be met by the impressive peaks of the Mission Mountains. A few favorite photo locations for this mountain range are cresting Ravalli Hill just south of St. Ignatius (use the designated scenic pullout) and Ninepipes Lodge in Charlo. Photo courtesy of Western Montana’s Glacier Country

For more information on Western Montana’s Glacier Country, visit GlacierMT.com.

Plan A Stop in Western Montana’s Glacier Country

Western Montana’s Glacier Country has several annual signature events that enhance itineraries through the region.

Every February, Whitefish holds its annual Whitefish Winter Carnival and Skijoring World Invitational. Or, if you’re visiting in September, join the fun at the Great Northwest Oktoberfest.

North American Indian Days, held the second week in July over four days in Browning, is the signature celebration of the Blackfeet Nation and hosts Native Americans from every region of the U.S. and Canada. Featured events include a parade, powwow, stick games and horse relay races.

Missoula hosts an annual River City Roots Festival the last weekend in August, bringing together exceptional music, food, libations and more at this two-day free event in the heart of the city.

Delicious Flathead cherries are celebrated with their very own festival: The Flathead Cherry Festival takes place in Polson the last weekend in July on the southern shore of Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the western U.S.

For equestrian lovers, Kalispell plays host to The Event at Rebecca Farm over five days in late July, featuring a horse competition of dressage, cross country and show jumping along with food and a shopping fair. And it’s free!

North American Indian Days is the signature celebration of the Blackfeet Nation; featured events include a parade, powwow, stick games and horse relay races. Photo courtesy of Glacier Country Tourism

For more information on Western Montana’s Glacier Country, visit GlacierMT.com.

One-of-a-kind experiences beyond Glacier National Park

 

  1. ROAM Beyond is the best of camping/glamping without having to bring all of the gear. Stay in a boutique and customized, eco-friendly RV-style cabin near Glacier National Park.
  2. Llama trekking allows you to make a new friend who doubles as a hiking buddy that carries all of your gear. Learn from your guide how these cute but hard-working animals have been domesticated along the hike to a lunch spot or on an overnight trek.
  3. With River City Brews Rafting Tours, select a Montana craft beer, get in a raft on a river in Missoula and let someone else do the paddling as you enjoy the majestic views while making new friends.
  4. Quinn’s Hot Springs just completed a renovation of its soaking pools of healing mineral waters. At Quinn’s, visitors can reserve a time to soak in the pools, have a superb dinner at Harwood House Restaurant or stay in the lodge or river-view cabins.
  5. Garden of One Thousand Buddhas is an international center for peace, public park, botanical garden and Buddhist center located on the Flathead Indian Reservation in the Jocko Valley of Montana. Interesting, right?

You’ll make a friend – and let that friend carry all of your hiking gear – on a guided llama trek in Western Montana’s Glacier Country. Photo courtesy of Jade Broadus

For more information on Western Montana’s Glacier Country, visit GlacierMT.com.

Delight in the quirky-named beers in Glacier Country

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Montana has some quirks locals have become accustomed to, like casinos attached to gas stations on city corners or highway signs that say “next rest stop 97 miles” (um, I need to rest now!), but one thing we take particular pride in here in Western Montana’s Glacier Country is our micro-breweries (Montana is second in the U.S. for craft breweries per capita and was named the best state for beer lovers) and their quirky-named brews.

Missoula is Montana’s mecca when it comes to craft breweries, including Montana’s largest brewery, Big Sky Brewing, with brews like Moose Drool, Space Goat and Trout Slayer. KettleHouse Brewing features Cold Smoke, Double Haul, Eddy Out and Fresh Bongwater. Clothing Optional Hazy Pale Ale and Space Hippy can be found at Draught Works. In Lakeside on the shores of Flathead Lake, find Bear Bottom Blonde and Sip N’ Go Naked at Tamarack Brewing. Kalispell Brewing features Two Ski Brewski, and Whitefish is home to Basket Case and Cranky Sheriff 21 at Bonsai Brewing. Rounding out our quirky named beers is Cut Bank Brewery with Penguin Piss and Rail Spike. When visiting Western Montana, put at least one of these breweries on your itinerary for sure.

You’ll delight in the quirky-named brews at Montana’s many micro-breweries, with monikers like Moose Drool, Fresh Bongwater and Clothing Optional Pale Ale. Photo courtesy of Western Montana’s Glacier Country

For more information on Western Montana’s Glacier Country, visit GlacierMT.com.

Parades, festivals and concerts on tap in Glacier Country

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We are excited to welcome back some signature events to Western Montana’s Glacier Country in 2021. Following is a list of a few key festivals and events and a link to their websites for more information. For a more extensive look at what’s happening in our neck of the woods this summer, here is our full calendar of events.

There will be concerts at the KettleHouse Amphitheater in Missoula, Montana, throughout the summer. Photo courtesy Western Montana’s Glacier Country

For more information on Western Montana’s Glacier Country, visit GlacierMT.com.