Glacier National Park Trip Day #4 part 1: Lake Macdonald Scenic Boat Tour

We packed our lunches and were ready early so we headed out to the national park and arrived just before 7; we actually had a Going to the Sun Road pass included with our scenic boat tour reservation but we didn't need it since we're such early risers. The sunrise was beautiful!



We did have time to take a photo with the Glacier park sign though and since another couple was doing the same thing we took turns taking photos for each other. 

 


We parked at McDonald lodge and walked around for a while.  It is really such a beautiful property with some pretty lovely views. We bought some popcorn and I got our vacation ornament. Then we sat and waited for our boat tour.




 










We were perhaps the 4th family to board the boat so we sat up front in the bow. We learned a lot about the history of the lake and lodge, about some of the wildfires they've had in the park, and that September is referred to as "smoketember" since there are usually lots of wildfires all around the region that cause smoky skies.  










There are a handful of private homes along the lake that are within park bounds; they were here before it was deemed a national park. The latest house sold for just over $13 million!!









You can see evidence of the latest wildfires across from the lodge. 


It was beautiful and the weather was perfect! We were done our tour by 10 am. We headed out for a beautiful hike after. I'll be back with that wrap up on Monday. 

Days 1 & 2: Arriving & Grinnell Glacier hike 

Day 3: Conrad Mansion & Hungry Horse Dam 

 Linking up with: Spread the Kindness, 



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