GLACIER NATIONAL PARK 



407 



fortable chalet, amidst scenery that beggars description, 

 and view a sunrise and sunset that only Nature could 

 paint. 



Glacier's maximum north and south dimension is about 

 50 miles and its maximum east and wst dimension is 

 about 40 miles. Within the boundary of the park is lo- 

 cated the intersection of the north and south and east 

 and west continental divides. At the junction of these 

 divides is Triple Divide Peak and from its summit one 

 can toss a pebble into streams flowing into the Hudson 

 Bay, the Gulf of Alexico and into the Pacific Ocean. 

 This is a distinction that no other section of North 

 .'\merica can claim. 



It is doubtful if any other area contains so much of 

 interest to scientists and naturalists. Due to the Lewis 

 Overthrust, incredible as it may seem, in many localities 

 the younger rocks are found on top. in the reverse order 

 that Nature formed them. Glacier National Park is the 

 one place where the flowers of the Pacific Coast, the 

 Alaska Region, the Northern Plains and the Rocky 

 Mountain Region meet. Another feature that lends 

 variety is the contrast between the relative humidity of 

 the west slopes of the Continental Divide and the aridity 

 of the east slopes. Consequently, no other area has such 

 a great variety of flowers, trees and shrubs. 



Several of the National Parks attract more visitors 

 annually than Glacier, yet if actual tourist days were 

 considered Glacier would rank with the leaders. Its 



charm is proven by the thousands who return year after 

 year for visits of increasing length. 



More saddle horses are used at Glacier than all other 

 Parks combined. The road system is at present unde- 

 veloped though most points of interest in the valleys can 

 be reached by automobile, and good camping grounds are 

 provided. The Trans-mountain Road now under con- 

 struction, when completed, will be by far the most scenic 

 highway in Aimerica, if not in the world. The trail 

 system comprises 669 miles, of which 371 miles are class- 

 ed as tourist trails, the remainder being boundary and 

 fire trails. Tourist trails cross the Continental Divide 

 in five places. In addition, seven other divides, practi- 

 cally as high and as interesting are crossed. 



Signs are distributed along tourist trails in such a 

 manner that pedestrians cannot get lost. It is believed 

 that no other section of the country contains such in- 

 terest for rugged hikers. Walking tours of the Park are 

 rapidly increasing in popularity. 



Through an arrangement with the University of 

 Montana the Free Nature Guide Service conducts short 

 daily walks, during which flowers, trees, animals and 

 other things of interest are pointed out and explained, 

 and popular talks will be given in the evenings at principal 

 tourist centers on the flora, fauna and geology of the 

 Park. 



Fishing is excellent and visitors should bring fishing 

 tackle. The principal varieties of fish are Cutthroat, 

 Dolly Varden, Rainbow and Eastern Brook Trout. 



Photograph hy R, E, Marble 



.'\FTER THE STORM 



Lake McDonald on the west side of the Continental Divide is Glacier's largest lake. Nine and one-half miles long by a mile 



wide it is fringed with magnificent forests. 



