near ruin, but in 1997 restoration of the chalet (now the dining room), two large cabins and the lodge began by the new owners, and it is now a National Historic Landmark. Belton Chalet (See Pin 5 on p. 34) is a favorite stop for rail buffs, with trains running by the lodge both day and night, and a depot just across the road. You can use the Chalet as a base for seeing
the west side of the park or get an early morn- ing start. Enter the park at West Glacier and head up the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road for a once-in-a-lifetime drive. Dedicated in 1933, the road is an engineering feat. Maintenance is an ongoing challenge, so check for any road closures or construction prior to your trip. The approximately 2-hour drive goes by Lake McDonald Lodge (1914), and a stop is well worth your time. Going-to-the-Sun Road ends at St. Mary’s, where you exit the park and take U.S. 89 south to MT-49, then follow signs to East Glacier. This summer marks the Centennial of Glacier
Park Lodge (See Pin 6 on p. 34), with offi cial festivities on June 22. This was the fi rst desti- nation for early visitors arriving via train from the East to Glacier National Park. They stepped from their Pullman cars at Midvale station to be greeted by members of the Blackfeet Tribe in full regalia, led under a log pergola, then escort- ed down a 1,000-foot garden path to their fi rst forest experience. The colonnade of Glacier Park Lodge’s “great
hall” is lined with 48-foot-tall Douglas fi rs. The Blackfeet called it Oom-Coo-Mush-Taw, or Big Trees Lodge, and 100 years later, it still is. A long breezeway links the main lodge to the annex guest rooms. Stake out a chair at dusk and watch the sky change. The Great Northern Dining Room offers large portions and bigger views, but they do not take reservations. Put in your name, and visit the Empire Bar while you wait (perhaps up to two hours), or eat early. The place is fi lled with Great Northern memorabilia. No trip to Glacier is complete without a visit
to Swiftcurrent Lake and the Many Glacier Hotel (1915), where you can take a boat ride and hike, either before or after your stay at Glacier Park Lodge, about an hour away.
Christine Barnes (
greatlodges.com) is an author whose books include Great Lodges of the National Parks (volumes one and two) and Great Lodges of the Canadian Rockies. She served as consultant for the PBS television series of the same name. Read her full article online at
EnCompassMag.com.
The historic Belton Train Depot located just across the street from the Belton Chalet.
The Belton Chalet in West Glacier, Mont. is a favorite stop for rail buffs.
One thing we overlooked. Or two.
In the March-April 2013 edition, on page 31, we presented the Online extra “Dreams, interrupted,” an article by former EnCompass editor Jeff Miller on his grandfather’s trip to 1914 Italy. We neglected to mention that Jeff’s original, unedited article and images can be seen at his website,
jbmwriter.com. Also in the March-April edition, on page 36, under the headline “Museums and galleries,” we listed a disconnected phone number for the Elm Street Gallery in Trinidad. The correct number is 719-242-7951.
EnCompassMag.com EnCompass May/June 2013 37
© Jeff Miller
© Danita Delimont/Alamy
© Danita Delimont/Alamy
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