DESTINATION Generic 73 Photosets
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| Drive to Belly River TH from St Mary GNP, MT | |
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| | Drive to Belly River TH from St Mary GNP, MT | | | |
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Drive to Belly River TH from St Mary GNP, MT
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| Scenic Drive | 29.00 Miles |
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| | Scenic Drive | 29.00 Miles | | | |
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| no partners | | Sometimes I'm not the brightest bulb and I just estimated what time I should get up to drive to my Belly River Ranger Station hike rather than getting out the map and figuring out the miles. So I got to Babb (14 miles from the Rising Sun) way too early and decided to turn around and go back along 89 to shoot some photos  . It was a great morning and I didn't want to get to the TH too soon and just stand around. After reviewing the photos I took from near the north end of Lower St Mary Lake, I was so surprised at some of the mountains I was shooting; especially when I zoomed  .
Now it was time to head up the Chief Hwy and of course, I went by the turn and was headed to another entrance in Canada  . I quickly realized my error and got on the proper highway (17). And of course along the way I needed to take more photos; especially of Yellow Mountain (east and west) and Chief Mountain. It's a good thing I got my pics of Chief Mtn as it would be shrouded in clouds on the way back and we only got passing glimpses of part of it on the hike.
Of course, now I'm running out of time ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall") and ended up herding some cattle off the road (see pic in photo set) so I have to hustle to get to the TH for the ranger-guided hike at 9. I beat myself up over that as I get very nervous if I run late for anything. And guess what, I would do it the next day heading to Two Medicine. SHEESH! Anyway, it's a beautiful drive and one you should do if you're in the area. I would highly recommend the drive all the way into Canada to Waterton Park. I would drive to Waterton after my hike this day.
from allglacier.com (http://www.allglacier.com/waterton_park/chief_mountain_highway.php)
From St. Mary, in east Glacier, travel 13 miles north on US89 before turning left onto Chief Mountain International Highway (MT-17). The highway entails 29 miles of a diverse range of unparalleled scenic beauty and terminates at its intersection with Canada Highway 5, at the eastern entrance of Waterton Lakes National Park.
Time/Distance
Chief Mountain Highway is approximately 30 miles in length. Driving time from St. Mary to the highway’s end is roughly one hour, not including stops.
Highlights
Enjoy pastoral views of the Blackfeet Reservation’s prairie grasslands.
See the protruding peaks of Chief Mountain and Sentinel Mountain, located to your west as you drive north.
Spend the night at the Belly River Campground, located just off Chief Mountain Highway, 16 miles from Waterton Townsite.
Spot birds of prey soaring over the prairies, moose in the wetland areas, deer, antelope and the occasional black bear and Grizzly amidst the mountain slopes.
Stop for panoramic photos in the Waterton and Blakiston valleys.
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For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
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