People have come from near and far to spend part of their summer in Glacier National Park despite the smoky conditions.
Smoke from many fires in the Park is impacting East Glacier, but people vacationing said the smoke doesn’t stop them from having a good time.
"It hasn’t bothered us at all," John Bold, a former GNP employee, said.
Bold and his wife are spending time in East Glacier to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.
"We’ve just had a wonderful time and it hasn’t hampered us at all on what our plans were," he said.
One family at the Glacier Park Lodge traveled from Minnesota by train. Their vacation has been in the works for almost a year.
Those plans have since changed because of the fires.
"Kind of my plans were to stay on the west side for a few days and the east side for a few days, but we ended up driving to the east side every day," Chris McColley said.
Regardless, they’re making the most of their time.
"You’ve got to make the best of it. I mean, you’re here, you planned for a long time so do what you’ve got to do," he said. "The east side of the park is still open so make the drive over every day and get out there."
A community meeting will take place Saturday night to discuss management plans for the Park’s fires. The meeting is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. at the Columbia Falls High School.
Glacier National Park Lodges, the concessioner that operates Lake McDonald Lodge, has decided to close Lake McDonald Lodge for the rest of the 2018 summer season. Questions about adjustments to reservations should be directed to 855-733-4522. Privately owned Motel Lake McDonald has also closed for the season.Reservation holders should contact 1-844-868-7474.
Evacuations: Evacuation orders remain in place for the North Lake McDonald road (private residences and the Lake McDonald Ranger Station), Lake McDonald Lodge area (all businesses, employees, and private residences), private residences along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and Sprague Creek & Avalanche Campgrounds.
Road and Trail Closures: The Going-to-the-Sun Road remains open between St. Mary and Logan Pass. It is closed between the foot of Lake McDonald (near Apgar) and Logan Pass. The Inside North Fork road is closed and multiple trail closures are associated with this fire. Please see full trail closures on the park’s website: www.nps.gov/glac.
Fire Restrictions: Glacier National Park and most of western Montana are under Stage II Fire Restrictions. No campfires will be permitted in Glacier’s frontcountry or backcountry. Smoking is also prohibited except within an enclosed building, vehicle, developed recreation area, or barren area three feet in diameter. Propane stoves that have an on/off switch are permitted.
The best source for current information on the status of Glacier National Park is the official park website (click here), or the Fire Information Hotline that has been established by the Park at 406-888-7077.
FAST FACTS ABOUT GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
Water
Number of named lakes: 131
Number of unnamed lakes: 631
Total number of lakes: 762
Acres of named lakes: 25,622
Land
Acreage: 1,012,837
Square miles: 1,583
Miles of exterior boundary: 205
Acres of defacto wilderness: 963,155…or 1,489.3 sq. miles
Elevation at Logan Pass: 6,646 feet
Number of mountains: 175
Highest mountain: 10,448 ft…Mt. Cleveland
Facilities
Number Class A campgrounds: 8, with 943 sites
Number Class B campgrounds: 5, with 61 sites
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