The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a spectacular 50 mile road leading from St. Mary to West Glacier. With only two-lanes, it's the perfect way to enjoy some of the parks' biggest highlights, while not encroaching on the wildlife and environment like a large super highway would. Since the road spans the width of Glacier National Park, there are hundreds of miles of trails surrounding the GTTSR. The ones we hiked were St. Mary Falls, Highline, Hidden Lake Overlook, and Trail of the Cedars to Avalanche Lake. They were all stunning!
Scenic viewpoints and pullouts line the road, so we had numerous photo opportunities. We drove the GTTSR from St. Mary to Fish Creek Campground (on the far west side of the park), and back. Since we got such an early start, the road was empty. We enjoyed the road, utterly alone, as it weaved through cedar forests, along cliff edges, past waterfalls and glacial lakes, and across the Continental Divide at 6,646 foot high Logan Pass. Another great thing about starting early on the Going-to-the-Sun Road is the sunrise! The shadows and colors, which layered on the mountains and trees, are indescribable. Shades of pink and purple, glowing yellow, silhouetted mountains and foliage, and sparkling lakes are only a few of details that instantly come to mind. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a 'must-do' when visiting Glacier National Park.