Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach and Red Buses; driving about 100 miles, approximately 5 hours total riding time. Hiking up to 2 miles; maintained dirt trails that may be uneven and rocky, boardwalk with steep and deep steps. Logan Pass elevation 6,646 feet, maximum elevation 7,200 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we'll have an engaging presentation on Glacier National Park. We’ll then take a motorcoach to the Apgar area of Glacier National Park where expert instructors will provide enriching interpretation as we walk the trails and explore the area. We’ll also stop at the base of Lake McDonald to take in the mountain views and learn about the glacial forces that carved this huge lake long ago.
Lunch:
At a scenic spot on the banks of Lake McDonald, we’ll have sack lunches.
Afternoon:
Next, we’ll board a Red Bus and ride along Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass (subject to weather and road conditions). Aboard these iconic vehicles, we’ll be immersed in the natural grandeur of the region with insightful commentary by the drivers. First used in the mid-1930s to transport visitors in Glacier, the historic Red Busses were fully restored in 2001 and continue to delight passengers today. Their canvass roll-back tops allow for unsurpassed views of the towering mountains in every direction. Going-to-the-Sun Road is a National Historic Landmark and the only road that crosses Glacier National Park. The narrow road hugs the cliffside as it winds through the mountains, inspiring awe at every turn. The road was designed to complement the landscape and give visitors the opportunity to enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery Glacier National Park has to offer. Logan Pass is the highest point on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Located on the Continental Divide at 6,646 feet, waters here flow either toward the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans. We’ll set off on an expert-led walking field trip in the subalpine ecosystem. The trail starts at about 6,660 feet and climbs up from there. The trail consists of pavement, a boardwalk with steep and deep steps, and a dirt and rock trail We’ll search for evidence of past glaciers by looking for geological features such as aretes, glacial horns, moraines, and waterfalls. We will also be on the lookout for special plants and animals with unique adaptations that allow them to thrive in the harsh, high elevation environment. Along the way, we may be distracted by meadows teeming with wildflowers and towering snow-capped peaks! At the end of our field trip, we’ll take the Red Buses and return to Apgar via Going-to-the-Sun Road. There, we’ll we will hop back aboard the motorcoach and ride back to the hotel.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.