Glacier: Naturally inviting

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK - Bears? Check.

Beauty? Check.

My first trip to Glacier National Park in 30 years last month didn't disappoint.

It's amazing what doesn't soak in when you're young.

Sure, I remember snow-capped peaks, breathtaking waterfalls and amazing landscapes.

But this return had been a long time coming.

Knowing that taking in scenery and nature hikes aren't at the top of our teens' "to do" list and having them occupied for a late-summer weekend, it was the perfect time to finally head back to the park and a great place to take my wife for the first time.

We stayed in Kalispell and opted for the day-long tour of the park. We hit most of the highlights along the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road that bisects the heart of the park and, rather than drive back the same way we came, we traveled along the southern border of the park on the way back to Kalispell for something new.

Key to our excursion was getting an early start on the day, getting ahead of many of the tourists. That paid off, especially during the busy August time and with it being a weekend. The road in the park, especially the windy part near Logan Pass, can get backed up with sightseers.

It turned out that Glacier was ready for me, but not vice-versa.

Not yet into park and tourist mode, I noticed folks getting out of their vehicles, with cameras in hand, at West Glacier as we entered the park and crossed the Middle Fork of the Flathead River.

"Haven't these people seen a river before?" I asked my wife.

Still, I joined the crowd, pulled over myself and grabbed the camera.

Turns out they were taking pictures of a black bear on the shore of the river, which I missed because it moved into the woods as I was changing lenses on my camera.

I figured I had blown my only chance to see a bear in the park.

But the missed opportunity got me in the frame of mind to take in what was ahead.

Our first stroll was the Trail of the Cedars Nature Trail. I won't call our exercise a hike because the true hikers had walking poles and were obviously headed for rougher terrain farther away.

The trail offered a nice variety of scenery with giant cedar trees, meandering Avalanche Creek and magnificent rock formations along the water. Walkers of all ages were able to take in the sights without difficulties.

It was in the middle of the park where we found ourselves pulling over most often. There were scenic mountain peaks, majestic waterfalls, two bighorn sheep grazing along the road and the Logan Pass Visitor Center.

In hindsight, we wish we would have devoted more time to this portion of the park. It was there that I was reminded how amazing nature truly is and the smorgasbord of beauty Glacier has to offer.

As we were driving along Saint Mary Lake on the east side of the park, I was thinking the only thing that would have made a grand day even better was to run across a bear.

A few miles later, a small black bear ran across the road about 30 yards ahead of us. Without traffic, we were able to momentarily stop the car to catch glimpses of it searching for lunch in the brush.

My return to the park made me want to come back - perhaps to capture fall colors when the crowds thin and before the snow flies. I know I'll see the park differently with the new season.

Another four-hour trip from Coeur d'Alene to the park awaits because Glacier lived up to what I remembered - and a lot more.

My only regret that I hadn't returned sooner.

Glacier's fall season

Glacier National Park is open year-round and fall is a favorite time to visit. But visitors should be aware of some delays and closures ahead. The last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle from the east side will be Sunday, Sept. 22. That makes Sept. 22 the last day the entire Going-to-the-Sun Road can be traversed. Vehicle access to Logan Pass from the west side, however, will be available through Sunday, Oct. 20, weather permitting. Most of the park's campgrounds close this month and October.