GLACIER NATIONAL PARK - Montana and Wyoming - page 182

Cross-Country Skiing
When the white stuff blankets the park, cross-country skiers and snowshoers find them-
selves in a winter paradise. Many of the hiking trails double as ski and snowshoe trails,
but nothing is groomed, so keen and constant orientation is critical. The Lower McDonald
Creek trailhead is just south of McDonald Creek Bridge, and the trail is 2-3 miles round-
trip of gentle, forested terrain that parallels the creek in some spots. Another fairly level
but longer option is the Rocky Point trail, which is 6 miles round-trip and rewards skiers
with a phenomenal view of Lake McDonald. The trailhead can be found 0.2 mile north of
Fish Creek Campground. Farther north, toward Avalanche Campground, McDonald Falls
(4 miles round-trip), Sacred Dancing Cascades (5.3 miles round-trip), and the Avalanche
Picnic Area (11.6 miles round-trip) make excellent day trips.
Since many of the roads in the park are unplowed and thus impassable for cars in winter,
they can make excellent ski trails. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of the best, although
because of avalanche danger, it can often be closed east of Avalanche Creek.
Although it's not in the park, one of the region's best-known and beloved areas for cross-
country skiing is the Izaak Walton Inn (off U.S. 2, Essex, between East Glacier and West
Glacier, 406/888-5700, www.izaakwaltoninn.com ), which has repeatedly been named one
of the best cross-country ski resorts in the Rockies. The resort boasts 20 miles of groomed
trails, and its proximity to the park invites backcountry travel. Ski rentals are available, and
a night or two at the inn will be something to remember.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The West Glacier area has a good selection of places to stay, but once inside the park, or
even within view of it, accommodations do not come cheap. If you are on a tight budget,
camping is the best option. The hotels listed are only open during the summer season, when
Glacier is busiest. However, for avid cross-country skiers who want to take advantage of the
park during the winter, the Izaak Walton Inn (off U.S. 2, Essex, between East Glacier and
West Glacier, 406/888-5700, www.izaakwaltoninn.com , $99-255), a charming old railroad
hotel that is on the National Register of Historic Places, is open year-round.
Also located in Essex, 20 miles from West Glacier and 35 miles from East Glacier,
is Glacier Haven Inn & Healthy Haven Café (14305 Hwy. 2 E., 406/888-5720,
www.glacierhaveninn.com , $149-349), which offers clean, comfy motel rooms and a family
cabin in addition to great home-style cooking.
A reasonably priced motel in the West Glacier area is the Apgar Village Lodge (406/
888-5484, www.westglacier.com , $95-309), two miles east of West Glacier village at the