Day 2 in Glacier we took a Red Bus Tour and hiked the Avalanche Lake Trail.
We drove 45 minutes from our hotel in Kalispell to the west entrance of Glacier National Park.
Glacier National Park
2019 Price: Free due to my Annual Pass (Fee would have been $35 for a 7-day pass)
Red Bus Tour
For our second day in the park we booked a 4-hour Red Bus Tour. The tour was from Apgar Visitor Center at the west entrance to Logan Pass and back. We took the first AM tour which left at 9 AM and ended at 1 PM, leaving us the afternoon to explore.
The red color was inspired by mountain ash berries. They are all 1930s buses that have been refurbished. Our bus was the only one from 1939, the others all predate that. We were on #112 with Ed as our guide.
Red Bus Tour
2019 Price: $64 per person
Seventeen people can fit at full capacity which was a nice smaller group for a tour. Roll-back tops allow passengers to stand up to enjoy the scenery when the vehicle is stopped. The early morning tour started in full shade, and with the top down it was cold in the bus – even in August. They do provide a blanket for the row but I suggest dressing in layers.
I recommend booking in advance as the tours fill up fast.
The first major stop was Lake McDonald Lodge. This was a chance to view the lake, take a restroom break, or look around the gift shop. We also picked up our last two riders here.
We visited at the following places with Ed providing geological and historical facts along the way:
Red Rocks Trail
Bird Woman Falls
Big Bend
Sacred Dancing Cascades on McDonald Creek
While we enjoyed the red bus tour, we also felt that you get most of the same experience on your own driving through the park.
If you don’t feel comfortable driving the narrow, winding roads yourself – this is a good alternative. If you are in Glacier for multiple days and have the time, I recommend going on the tour since it gives you a break to enjoy your surroundings instead of concentrating on the road and also provides some good educational content about the park.
Avalanche Lake
After the Red Bus tour, we took a shuttle bus from the visitor center to the Avalanche Creek stop.
Avalanche Creek is the last stop for the big shuttle buses. You have to change to smaller shuttles for the rest of Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Trail of the Cedars
At Avalanche Creek, we started at the Trail of the Cedars. This is a beautiful, easy walk among the trees. The path is flat and universally accessible.
Avalanche Lake Trail
Midway down the Trail of the Cedars loop, take a left to start on the Avalanche Lake Trail. Right near this junction there is a small waterfall.
Avalanche Lake is a moderate trail that feels longer than it is. There are areas of steep, rocky incline. The path is mostly dirt with some minor wooden bridges. We saw a deer and butterflies while we were out.
Avalanche Lake
Avalanche Lake is beautiful and worth the effort of getting there. Three waterfalls flowed into it from Sperry Glacier.
It is advised to carry bear spray. We each had a can but never had cause to use it.
That night we ate dinner at The Montana Club. The parmesan-encrusted halibut was melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Travelodge by Wyndham Kalispell
2019 Price: $842 for five nights
This was an excellent take on the day. Avalanche Lake looks like a great place to set up for plein air painting. The description of the easy hike to the lake makes it a perfect location.
I wiil share with a group of plein air painters. Thank you!