This was my first visit to Glacier NP and it was during the Sprague Fire.

The Sprague Fire was reported the evening of August 10th and was located southeast of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park. By August 15, 2017, the fire was estimated to be 100 acres (40 ha) in size and situated in steep terrain. Burning along the Gunsight Trail, the primary trail access to the Sperry Chalet. The fire encompassed 16,982 acres and nearly destroyed the historic Sperry Chalet.

By September 23rd, officials lifted the mandatory evacuation order for the Lake McDonald region but the Going-to-the-Sun Road remained closed to tourism due to ongoing fire activity. The fire was creeping and smoldering but no increase in burned acreage had been noticed during the third week in September. On September 28 the fire was determined by infrared flight to encompass 16,926 acres (6,850 ha).

With the arrival of October and a combination of factors such as cooler temps, light snow and shorter days led to a vastly reduced fire threat and the Sprague Fire was 75 percent contained by the beginning of the month.

About Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is a wilderness area in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, with glacier-carved peaks and valleys running to the Canadian border, adjacent to the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. The park encompasses over 1 million acres (4,000 km2) and includes parts of two mountain ranges (sub-ranges of the Rocky Mountains), over 130 named lakes, more than 1,000 different species of plants, and hundreds of species of animals.

It’s crossed by the mountainous Going-to-the-Sun Road with a route to photogenic Hidden Lake accessed from Logan Pass. Other activities include backpacking, cycling and camping. Diverse wildlife ranges from mountain goats, big horn sheep, black bears, grizzly bears, moose, cougars, lynxes, elk, mule and white tailed deer, coyotes, wolves and many varities of birds.

This vast pristine ecosystem is the centerpiece of what has been referred to as the “Crown of the Continent Ecosystem,” a region of protected land encompassing 16,000 square miles (41,000 km2).

Please find links to some websites about Glacier National Park.

National Park Site

Visit Montana – Glacier NP

Glacier Park Collection

Glacier NP Lodges

10 ADVENTURES

he standard way to get from Telluride to Ridgway in southwest Colorado is a semi-circular route on highways 62 and 145. However, those with a little more time take a must-see detour winding diagonally between these paved highways — the rustic Last Dollar Road.

Last Dollar Road isn’t a once-in-a-lifetime trip — it’s more like a three-times-in-one-year necessity. Go during summer for lush greenery as far as the eye can see; again in the fall for unparalleled red, yellow and orange foliage; and in spring, when grassy fields are blanketed with alpine wildflowers.

When this road was a mining supply route in the 1800s, the workers probably weren’t too enthusiastic about its sharp turns and bumpy patches. But today, travelers have a whole different attitude. Thrill seekers (and confident drivers) boldly take on Last Dollar with enthusiasm.

Like the infamous Road to Hana in Hawaii, Last Dollar Road can be a bit of a challenge (even impassible after a heavy rain), but is completely worth the trek. Most off-road experts in the area would classify this road as a beginner to intermediate trail. Four-wheel drive is not required when the road is dry, but we recommend utilizing one of the many ATV and jeep operators in the area. This is one adventure where you’ll want nothing keeping you from the scenic sights and fresh mountain air.

Getting There

From Telluride: Take CO 145 west approximately five miles and turn right on Last Dollar Road. You will pass the Telluride airport on your right when the road is still paved.

From Ridgway: Take Highway 62 west until you see a sign for Last Dollar Road. Turn left off of the highway and continue left when you hit a fork in the road (a right turn will take you to the town of Sawpit).

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