Waking Up Near Glacier
I woke up about 3 hours from Glacier National Park yesterday and decided it was the day to go see it.
When I first woke up, I made some instant coffee my friend had given me before the trip, and oh man, it was good. After my coffee, I went for a little fish since I saw fish busting on the lake I was camping at. I actually had one on too, but I got a little shaken and lost it. Once I wrapped up my fishing, I cooked some ramen over the fire and packed my car for Glacier.
Editor’s Note: Camping near Glacier National Park offers travelers a chance to experience Montana’s wilderness before exploring East Glacier National Park. Many visitors enjoy fishing at alpine lakes close to the park while preparing for a day of hiking to Medicine Lake and Astra Falls.
RELATED: If you missed the last blog. Catch up here!!
Browning Stop
I made a quick stop in Browning for some gas and hopefully a shower. When I got to the showers at Love’s gas station, I asked the price, and they told me $17, so I walked out dirty. To me, that just seems like they’re preying on desperate tourists, and I don’t like that scam.
Stopping in Browning, Montana is common for travelers heading to East Glacier National Park because it offers gas, groceries, and supplies. Knowing where to shower and stock up before hiking Medicine Lake or Astra Falls can make your Glacier National Park adventure much smoother.
Editor’s Note
In other parts of the state, you can get access to a full recreational center with pools and saunas for $6 a day. Now that’s my type of deal. After I wiped myself down with some wet wipes and brushed my teeth, I set out on the final stretch to Glacier.
First Views of Glacier
When I was about an hour from Glacier, I began seeing these huge mountains with snow on top. Honestly, I didn’t know that it was Glacier, but I knew it was very beautiful and unlike the rest of Montana that I’ve seen up until that point.
For some reason, when I see mountains, I get a shock through my heart, almost like when I’m talking to a pretty lady. I think that’s my Norwegian side getting horny. Once I was about 10 minutes from the east entrance in Glacier, I realized those mountains I was looking at were the National Park, which blew my mind because they seem inaccessible when you first see them. I then pulled through the east entrance, which was closed, so I didn’t have to pay (clutch af), and I was off to find my first trail.
Editor’s Note: The scenic drive into East Glacier National Park gives travelers incredible mountain views before reaching Medicine Lake or Astra Falls. Seeing snow-capped peaks and dramatic landscapes is one of the highlights of exploring Glacier National Park from the east entrance.
Medicine Lake and Paradise Viewpoint
I lost all cell service immediately after entering the park, so my trail choice was left up to fate. I passed the first two trail signs and got to Medicine Lake. When I saw this lake, it reminded me of Jackson Lake in Wyoming, only more green. After pondering the view of the lake, I set out on a hike to Paradise Viewpoint, which gives an amazing view of the entire lake and surrounding mountains.
When I got there, I was drinking a beer and ran into an English gentleman who said he was looking for a moose. I told him I didn’t see any moose, but I’m going to keep going down the trail, so I’ll keep my eyes open.
Editor’s Note: Medicine Lake hiking trails in East Glacier National Park offer serene views and fewer crowds than the west side. Paradise Viewpoint is one of the best places to photograph Glacier National Park’s alpine scenery and wildlife near Medicine Lake.
Astra Falls
After my chat with the English gentleman, I continued down the path to a place called Astra Falls. It was about a 3-mile walk from the first spot, and it followed a relatively flat trail. As I was getting closer, I was trying to decipher if it was the wind or rushing water that I was hearing
About 5 minutes later, it became clear it was water as I saw Astra Falls rushing through the cliffs into the forest. Astra Falls may not be a tall waterfall, but it is definitely long. I climbed across a branch and up the side of the waterfall, and it took me around 20 minutes to finally reach the top.
It was amazing at the top; I could see all of the surrounding mountains, the lake below, and the rushing waterfall in front of me. It was truly surreal.
Editor’s Note: Hiking to Astra Falls in East Glacier National Park rewards visitors with stunning waterfall views and dramatic landscapes. This hidden gem near Medicine Lake is perfect for travelers seeking less crowded Glacier National Park hikes with epic scenery.
Astra Viewpoint
The last leg of the hike was Astra Viewpoint. As I said earlier, I had no connection, so I didn’t know how long some of these trails were. Astra Viewpoint was the type of trail you want to be prepared for ahead of time. It is basically all elevation gain and switchbacks, which was not an easy task for my first hike out here.
Astra Viewpoint in East Glacier National Park is one of the top hiking destinations for panoramic mountain views. Travelers exploring Medicine Lake, Astra Falls, and Astra Viewpoint in a single day can experience some of the park’s best east-side scenery.
Editor’s Note
I slowly lugged myself to the top, and when I got there, my jaw hit the floor. I could see everything on the east side of Glacier from up there. I saw each peak closer than I ever thought possible, and I could see a snow waterfall flowing down the side of one of them.
There was also an amazing eagle-eye view of the lake, which put into perspective how big Medicine Lake really is. After admiring the views for a while, I cracked a beer and sat under a pretty tree I found to stay out of the wind.
After admiring the views for a while, I cracked a beer and sat under a pretty tree I found to stay out of the wind. By the time I checked my watch, I realized it was already 8:00 p.m., and I still had around 6 miles to go before I got back to my car. So I grabbed my stuff and booked it back down the mountain.
Camping After the Hike
I got nervous, but it doesn’t get dark around here in June until like 10:30, so I was good to go.
I made it back to my car around 9:15 and headed to get cell service. At some point around East Glacier, I got service and found a campsite inside of Lewis and Clark National Forest. That’s where I’m sitting writing this, and I can currently see many green mountains along with the snowy mountains of Glacier off to my left.
The wind was gnarly last night, and I slept like shit, but I’m still kicking. Today I’ll be going to West Glacier, so let’s hope it’s as amazing as East Glacier.
Editor’s Note: Camping in Lewis and Clark National Forest is a convenient base for exploring East Glacier National Park and its hiking trails. Many visitors combine trips to Medicine Lake, Astra Falls, and West Glacier to experience the full beauty of Montana’s Glacier National Park.
