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Have "Golden Age" Pass, Will Tour National Parks

By Jim Meyer

Well, the Grand N.W. National Park Tour started last Febuary when I was in Squamish B.C. for my annual ski trip. I had some timeshare points I needed to use and I asked my outdoor adventure buddy, Larry, to pick his top 5 places in the N.W. he wished to visit and I would do the same. Ironically, Glacier and Yellowstone NP's were both at the top of our lists! I got in touch with a zealous timeshare agent, who loved Moose also, and she put together stays at both parks in about ten minutes. I was impressed since she said she was also working on a similar trip for herself in order to see a bull Moose!

Iniatially, Eileen said she couldn't travel this summer due to her new pursuits but when she heard what I had "up my sleeve", she immediately got on the phone and booked a flight to Kalispell, Montana and out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Wow, I was impressed again, especially since it was a frequent flyer! Fortunately, she got to enjoy 2 of the 3 week tour and 3 National Parks, Waterton Lakes, Canadian side of the 1st International Peace Park with Glacier NP, and Yellowstone NP. In all, Larry and I "bagged" 6 National Parks, adding The Grand Tetons, The Cascades, and Mt Ranier and the "Craters of the Moon" National Monument. The "Golden Age" Pass really came thru with free entry to all and half-price camping! If you're 62, you're eligible to get the Pass for a grand total of $10 and it's good for life!

On the appointed evening, Thursday, August 21, I "snagged" Eileen at the Glacier International Airport outside of Kalispell and we headed to Waterton Lakes Peace Park the next morning. After entering Glacier NP and passing the 11 mile long Lake McDonald, we stopped at "The Loop" pullout for some views. Wow, what a view and Cedar Waxwings everywhere! This stop also yielded our first look at "Birdwoman Falls", a 1000 foot beaut. Our next stop was really productive with several Mountain Goats, hanging on the edges of the rock high above us, Golden-mantled Squirrels, a Pika, and a Weasel.

As we continued our drive along the "going to the sun" road, we were astounded by the beauty of the lakes, waterfalls, and majestic peaks with a few glaciers in view. Eileen was getting sleepy so it was time for our first hike to Barring Falls which was along St. Mary's Lake, another 11 miler or so. As we left the parking lot, we noticed the very friendly Gray Jays, known as Whisky Jacks at Whistler Ski Mountain. We worked our way up a steep rock for our first view of Lake St. Mary. We immediately saw a pair of Red-tailed Hawks soaring above the lake with the Peaks and Glaciers in the background. Another top ten view! Moving down the trail, we soon picked up our first Robin, more Cedars, a Pileated Woodpecker, and a Black-headed Grosbeak. Arriving at the falls, Eileen spotted an American Dipper, and then a 2nd one, doing its streamside fishing antics. I actually got video of one of them walking along the side of the stream and then Dipping underwater to fish. What a cool bird!

After a short drive to the end of the Lake, we were rewarded with our first of many outstanding picnic lunch spots of the tour. This view, looking down the length of the Lake, with Goose Island in the foreground, and all the sheer peaks jutting out above the emerald lake, was one of the favorite posters and brochure pictures seen in the Glacier Visitor's Centers, as we would discover later on the trip.

Somewhat reluctantly moving on, we arrived in Alberta, Canada after about an hour and passed thru Candian Customs with only one serious discussion item. The obviously young, well-trained Custom Agent didn't like our usuage of the term "Pepper Spray". He insisted that we call it "Bear Spray" which is really what the usage was intended to be! Armed with our "Bear Spray", we soon arrived at Lake Maskinonge for some birding before driving into Waterton. We soon picked up a Spotted Sandpiper, with spots, on the shore and it soon treated us with its unique wing flutter as it repositioned to the other side of the lake. We also helped a couple who was birding the grasses see their first SPSA. And more Cedars for Eileen and our first Black-billed Magpie, flying with its 12 inch tail and white wing and body patches. We also picked up B. Kingfisher, Ring-billed Gull, D.C. Cormorants, Yellow Warblers and the classy barrow's Goldeneye.

Now, it was time to see the Landmark I had seen in tour books for 30 years-the Prince of Wales Hotel! We were very fortunate to to celebrate our arrival and end of our first day with a window seat in the lounge, looking down the 8 mile Upper Waterton Lake surrounded on all sides by Grandiose mountains. No, at $300 a nite, we didn't stay there!

Day 2 started with a boat ride on the vintage Motor Vessal "International", built in 1927 by the Great Northern Railway in conjunction with the Hotel, to the goat Haunt Ranger Station at the end of the lake in Glacier NP. On the absolutely gorgeous boat ride, we picked up a pair of soaring Bald Eagles and a Black Bear on the bank. Yes, we got to pass thru Custons again (U.S. agents were riding on the International) but this was a first "on foot" border crossing for me with Bear Spray in my backpack!

Our destination was Kootenai Lake which was a 3 mile hike and was said to be the most likely place to see a Moose in the Peace Park. The trail was not that impressive but the company at the end of the hike was-a Female Moose feeding in the lake! So, we found another lunch spot with an outstanding view! Wow, these trip writeups are accurate! We also picked up C. Mergansers, various Chipmunks and Squirrels, and more Magpies.

Waterton Lakes is a magical place with so much fantastic scenery, a great lakeside Townsite, hiking galore, and an abudance of wildlife. We had Black-tail Deer walking around all over town. One morning, Larry looked out his window at the Bear Mountain Motel and saw a Fawn nursing about 20 feet away. A visit to the in-town Cameron Falls had a B-T Deer walking in the water below the falls. What a relaxing sight that was! And as an added bonus, we had about 100 species of Antique cars at the "Show and Shine" with real Royal Mounties and more deer!