Prince of Wales Hotel

We camped outside Glacier National Park in St Mary. From there we traveled up to Waterton Lakes International Peace Park. Waterton is on the Canadian side of Glacier National Park so it does require a border crossing and passports. A lot of the hiking trails were closed due to last years wildfires. They’re trying to give them a chance to recover from the devastation.

The right side of the lake, in this photo shows the burned trees where the fire came right down to the townsite. How very frightening!

What a majestic hotel built in 1927! The young men greeting guests in their kilts!! They  were good sports taking pictures with guest and such.

The town of Waterton had a relaxed easy going vibe. It was small with charming houses and wonderfully charming people. The wind was very strong with white caps on the lake but we had a wonderful picnic on the waterfront.

Cameron Falls are right in town with a short hike up to the viewing platform. It appears there was a platform on the opposite bank of the falls but the fire burned right thru that section of the trail.

At Cameron Falls we chatted with Isabelle, a lovely 90 year old Canadian with her daughter. Isabelle met her husband on a horse back ride here in Waterton Lakes 70 years ago. She was riding horseback with friends when they met some nice young men. Before she knew it one of them swung up behind her and they rode off on an adventure that lasted 60 years.

Many Glacier Hotel on Swiftcurrent Lake

After lunch and a stroll thru town we headed back to the US and over to Many Glacier. Another fabulous lodge. Many Glacier Hotel sits right on Swiftcurrent Lake. Built in 1915 with a Swiss mountain chalet theme. Defintatly a more rugged outdoorsy vibe.

Downstairs in the Hotel is a sweet little store with reasonably priced beverages. I think it’s close to happy hour so we grabbed a couple of cold ones to chill on the deck and enjoy the view of the lake and Mount Grinnell.

While sitting on the deck. We noticed several people watching the hillside and pointing. A sure sign there are animals nearby. On the slope of the mountain to the right of the lake was a mama grizzly and two cubs making their way down the mountain. The cubs were frolicking along in the bushes. Mama was always ahead of them but she sure kept an eye on those two.

A bit later there was a commotion further up the slope. I scanned up with the binoculars to see another grizzly but this time with three cubs! These three were having a ball playing and following momma along the hillside. A few times mom stood up on her hind legs to have a look around. What a joy to watch!!

Back in St. Mary Campground we drove around the park to look at all the campsites and found a moose hanging out in the pond behind the camp. The perfect way to end the day.

Happy travels!

~Diana
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