Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter GNP 2017-18

[MarxMN]

Thanks for the pictures, Pete.

I especially like the close-up of the fence line with the broken middle wire. The fence leads to Divide Mountain, if I am identifying it correctly.

Bill

[llholmes1948]

Pete,

Those are wonderful photos and it just looks like a wonderful day. Thanks for posting them.

Is the Firebrand open this time of year or is the Two Medicine Grill the only show in town? And is Route 49 closed?

Lyman

[Ear Mountain]

...Is the Firebrand open this time of year or is the Two Medicine Grill the only show in town? And is Route 49 closed?

The Firebrand is open all year. They open at 4 I think for dinner and etc. The Firebrand is not open for breakfast or lunch. When I've eaten there the food was good.

[llholmes1948]

...Is the Firebrand open this time of year or is the Two Medicine Grill the only show in town? And is Route 49 closed?

The Firebrand is open all year. They open at 4 I think for dinner and etc. The Firebrand is not open for breakfast or lunch. When I've eaten there the food was good.

And that is certainly good to know. We have driven by this place a number of times but never stopped in (yet).

Lyman

[Jen]

...Is the Firebrand open this time of year or is the Two Medicine Grill the only show in town? And is Route 49 closed?

The Firebrand is open all year. They open at 4 I think for dinner and etc. The Firebrand is not open for breakfast or lunch. When I've eaten there the food was good.

And that is certainly good to know. We have driven by this place a number of times but never stopped in (yet).

Lyman

I used to be a huge fan. The last time I was there (2014?) The food and the service were both horrible. Maybe it was just an off night.

[teapot57]

Gorgeous photos! Thanks for sharing.

I went into the Firebrand once. It was a dry weekend on the reserve and Firebrand wasn't serving food or drink, but you could buy sealed liquor at the bar. I think the only reason it was open that day was to serve as a liquor store. Imagine not knowing this and walking into a dark place with explicit lyric rap music blaring loudly. All of the lights in the dining area were turned off, as well as the gambling machines. The only lights were in the bar area and there were 2 guys working behind the bar.

Walking in from the bright outdoors was a little disconcerting. It was almost like walking into a movie set as we stepped up to the bar, the guys looking at us like, "what are you gals doing here?" We just didn't expect it to be so dark, loud and empty. But the employees were harmless. They just had bad taste in music. And beer! They had beer so we were happy.

[llholmes1948]

Jen and Tina,

Thanks for your comments on the Firebrand and I didn't mean to hijack Pete's report and turn it into a restaurant review (Sorry Pete).

We obviously need some updated restaurant reviews of the Firebrand and other places around Glacier and I hope people will post those in the restaurant review section so they will be easy to find.

Lyman

Now we can get back to discussing Pete's great report and just how cold it was.

[PeteE]

Jen and Tina,

Thanks for your comments on the Firebrand and I didn't mean to hijack Pete's report and turn it into a restaurant review (Sorry Pete).

We obviously need some updated restaurant reviews of the Firebrand and other places around Glacier and I hope people will post those in the restaurant review section so they will be easy to find.

Lyman

Now we can get back to discussing Pete's great report and just how cold it was.

Thanks for the pictures, Pete.
I especially like the close-up of the fence line with the broken middle wire. The fence leads to Divide Mountain, if I am identifying it correctly.
Bill

Bill, thanks!
I liked that picture too. I thought it was Divide too until I got farther down the road. You'll see what I mean.
'm pretty sure the mountain in the fence picture is White Calf Mountain. It looks a bit like Divide from where the fence was though.


Not to worry Lyman, Tina and Jen

I like all the comments, reviews or otherwise. I haven't eaten at the Firebrand in ages.
Last time was with former g/f back in '07? She liked "funky" little places as she put it LOL!

Here is a short video with the some scenes driving from Browning to St Mary. I have a couple more short ones coming.
One for first time visitors which kind of summarizes the drive from the airport to West Glacier, and a few scenes from East Glacier.

Browning-St Mary 6 minutes


This one is for first time visitors. Getting to Glacier National Park is easy.
So if you get lost driving to GNP, then maybe you should have taken up golf---and a golf cart with a GPS
I did make an error on the video concerning the only turn between the airport and the park LOL!
I said turn right at the Blue Moon onto MT40. Wrong. You are turning right but remaining on US2.
Runs 13minutes--too long. Maybe I'll do it over soon



later

pete

[PeteE]

I live here and still enjoyed taking a ride to West Glacier with you.

Nice job mentioning Perfect Cuts for steak, etc. A fantastic place with great people. Our freezer is filled with their beef, game, sausage and fish. When we splurge and have a nice bone-in ribeye from them, it rivals some of the best steaks I had back in Chicago, which is saying something.

Thanks Doug.

The videos are rough but at least people will get an idea of what the place looks like at this time of year.
Plus see what the drive involves time wise for planning, etc.
Perfect Cuts does have good meat doesn't it?

Here's another clip from that trip.
Not much happening between West Glacier and East Glacier.
Runs about 9 minutes.



Next time I go to Browning, I'll go to the Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife office.
It's over off the road to Duck Lake.
They don't sell recreation permits at the East Glacier Cenex anymore---as of last year.
You now have to buy permits on-line or at the office in Browning.

pete

[Jay w]

Love the snow shots Pete. Thanks for taking the time to put them up. (I'll have to hit the videos later.)

Jay

[PeteE]

Love the snow shots Pete. Thanks for taking the time to put them up. (I'll have to hit the videos later.)

Jay

Thanks Jay. I'm trying.
No need to watch the videos. Nothing new there for you.

Here's a couple B&W images from Sunday. I was going to hike up the Sun Road, they're plowing it now.
However, it was snowing wet snow and rain. Not a pretty day.

That Clyde is one slick raven.
He snuck up on me, scaring the hell out of me landing on the mirror. I was standing by the door pouring coffee.
Ravens make a whistling sound when they flap their wings when flying---zero noise when they glide.
He has a habit of gliding in "silently" from behind me. Tactical defensive move imo
He didn't stay. I think they may be making a nest.

pete

PS

Regarding backpacking permits. I'll say it again here.
A couple big take aways I had from my visit with the BC Rangers at the office was
1) BIG window
2)Give as much flexibility in sites as possible--emphasizing the "Give me anything" option.
3) Learn to use the "walk up" process to a) improve a permit, and/or b) get a walk up permit after arriving.
4) Have your S***(my words) together when you step up to the counter--beginning with "entrance and exit points"( for a new permit).

I was like, Duh!
Same stuff many of us have said on these pages time and again.
Apparently a lot of people can't follow simple instructions.


They day was grey anyway, so I made these two black and white. Ice is breaking up on the lake.
Snow squall coming from the foot of the lake.

[PeteE]

What a difference a couple days makes

Beautiful day today. I took a quick ride out to Apgar/Lake McDonald. Got a few snaps.
Compare this pic to the picture above taken not far down the road on Sunday.
The ice is breaking up quickly.


The lumpy snow against the Village Inn caught my eye


The people who get the two end rooms have this nice view. The outlet creek is just a few feet to my left.


Taken just a few yards away from the picture above...
I wonder if the beaver had a "permit" from the National Park Service to do this bit of landscaping?


Sharp teeth and powerful jaws made short work of this tree.
The tooth marks look like those a wood carver makes with a gouge.
The beaver also stripped the bark on the upper part of the tree.


Snow sculpted by the wind and cedar branches. It looked cool in person.


My lil buddy "Clyde", wings glistening in the mid day sun, checks the sky for "invaders". I think Bonnie might be on her nest now ...but that's just gut feeling/speculation. I heard her calling over near the store somewhere.


Looking at my camera here. Sometimes I believe, if he's real close to the lens, he sees his own reflection in it.


Spring appears to be on the way! Yeeehawww!

Now watch, well get a foot of snow next week! LOLOLOL!

pete

[Pizza Bob]

Pete, did you happen to see a young lady on a bike when you went into the park today? My daughter
biked out to Avalanche and back.



Just another day in paradise ...

[PeteE]

Hey Jim

I might have seen her. I wasn't paying attention. I saw a a couple of parties on bikes at the parking lot for Lake McDonald.
The road looks good and it was such a nice day. I bet she had fun.
Love that lake shot with the reflection.
Thanks for putting it up! Spring is a beautiful time here when new growth is emerging through the snow.

pete

[Heff936]

Just catching up on this ongoing trip report. Loved seeing all the snow in the mountains. It was also fun seeing East Glacier in early Spring on a big snow year. I wonder how this snow accumulation compares with 2011, which I think was the last big snow year. Keep them coming Pete.


Heff