Glacier National Park

A small dark blur upslope materialized into a loping wolverine, coming straight toward us! Afraid this wolverine wanted to share our lunch, we left our backpacks where they lay, and hurried out of its path.

Braving horseflies the size of quarters and the searing afternoon sun, I ramble on a steep hillside like a bear, gorging for her long winter's nap. What could inspire such action? Huckleberries, of course. A recent trip to Glacier Park proved I wasn't alone in my obsession.

The fire danger rating was moved to "high" Monday for the Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park and the whole of Flathead County. The announcement came from an interagency group of local, state and federal officials. The interagency press release said the move to high fire danger comes as the area is dry enough to ignite easily and has high potential for fire spread.

Glacier National Park officials have decided against putting in place a reservation system for Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Earlier this month, Glacier Superintendent Jeff Mow held a series of meetings to discuss the idea of a reservation system for the park’s main attraction, Going-to-the-Sun Road.

This week, a group of 18 Montanans appointed by Gov. Steve Bullock is meeting to finalize its recommendations on how the state should manage grizzly bears.

With the eastern entrance to Glacier National Park closed, congestion along Going-to-the-Sun Road is so bad this season, the park had to close the West Glacier entrance at times. The park is now considering a ticketed reservation system.

Glacier National Park plans to open up the alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road next week. Most of the road will be open to visitors.