Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
M Going-to-the-Sun Road: Stretching just over 50 miles, this phenomenal feat of
engineering gives viewers an extraordinary overview of Glacier ( click here ) .
M Hiking: Among the best-loved trails in the park is the Highline Trail, which
climbs 200 feet over 7.6 miles, then drops more than 2,200 feet over the last 4 miles
back to the road. The views are staggering but not for the faint of heart ( click here ).
M Many Glacier: Prime hiking, canoeing, and horseback-riding country, this stun-
ning area in the northeast section of the park is popular but rarely crowded ( click
here ) .
M Grinnell Glacier: Since scientists anticipate that the glaciers in the park could
disappear entirely by 2020, seeing Grinnell Glacier may be a once-in-a-lifetime op-
portunity. The ranger-led hike is especially worthwhile ( click here ) .
HISTORY
Recently discovered evidence indicates that this spectacular area was inhabited as far back
as 10,000 years ago, and the Salish, Kootenai, Flathead, and Blackfeet Indians have all
called Glacier home. The Blackfeet came to the region later than the others, entering the
area sometime in the early 1700s and extending their territory through the eastern part of
the park and onto the plains. The Blackfeet fought quite a few battles for territory with oth-
er Native American tribes, and the French, British, and Spanish fur trappers who journeyed
into the region in the 1800s in search of beaver pelts also had to be wary of the Indians. In
1806, Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery came within 50 miles of the region that is now
Glacier National Park.
When the Blackfeet Indian Reservation was created in 1855, it included the eastern part
of the park up to the Continental Divide. In 1895 the Blackfeet sold the land to the U.S.
government for $1.5 million with the agreement that they would still have unrestricted ac-
cess for hunting, ceremonies, and other use. Today the Blackfeet Indian Reservation bor-
ders the eastern edge of the park, and the Flathead Indian Reservation—which is home to
the Confederated Salish, Pend d'Oreille, and Kootenai tribes—lies to the southwest. Buy-
ing the land from the Blackfeet opened the area to mining, railroads, and settlers. Mining
never proved to be successful in Glacier, although abandoned mine shafts can still be seen
scattered through the park.
In 1891, the Great Northern Railway completed its route over Marias Pass in the south-
ern part of the park. The company advertised the area in an effort to attract tourists, and
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