Reset search
2026 West Coast Loop
  • The Wandering Walkers
Current
  • The Wandering Walkers

2026 West Coast Loop

An open-ended adventure by The Wandering Walkers Read more
FollowInsightsInsightsCalendarCalendarPhotosPhotosShareShareBucket list
InsightsCalendarPhotos
  • 🇺🇸
    Currently in
    La Plata County
    The Wandering Walkers2026 West Coast LoopTraveler
    Here we go!!
    Here we go!!Our first tunnel!Beth's light is on and ready to go. 😊Just a little muddy on the back end! 🫣😂Do you see trestle way out there?How many trestles do you see?Made it to the bottom. 😊Just a little muddy! 😂🤣😂That was so much FUN!!

    Hiawatha Trail — Again! 🚲⛰️😂

    July 11 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    There was no way we were going to drive past the Hiawatha Trail without riding it again. Don absolutely loves this ride—and it’s easy to see why. Beautiful mountain scenery, towering trestles, and those incredible railroad tunnels make this one of our favorite adventures.

    The weather was perfect, although apparently everyone else had the same idea because it was busy! Once we finally got our bikes and hit the trail, though, the crowds faded away and we were back to enjoying the ride.

    Then came the famous 1.66-mile St. Paul Pass Tunnel—pitch black, freezing cold, wet and muddy. On the way through, I was very careful and managed to come out the other side without getting muddy. Go me! 😂

    We rode all the way down through the tunnels and across those amazing trestles, took a break at the bottom, and then made the obvious choice: ride back up. No shuttle for us!

    And somewhere on that climb, I found my second wind… and apparently a turbo button. 🚀

    Except this time, Turbo Beth came with a side effect: MUD. 😂

    I hit the gas and started flying up the trail, throwing mud everywhere. I passed a few people along the way, and I can only hope they weren’t too close behind me—or they may have gotten a little Hiawatha souvenir of their own! 🤣

    By the time we reached the top, we were tired, happy, and considerably muddier than we had been on the way down.

    Another epic ride on the Hiawatha was in the books. Beautiful views, incredible trestles, freezing tunnels, a little—or maybe a lot—of mud, and a whole lot of pedaling.

    Yep… we’d do it again. ❤️    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2026 West Coast LoopTraveler

    St. Regis: We Made It… and Then a Little Mishap! 😂

    July 10 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    We made it to our campsite in St. Regis, and RV Nugget turned out to be a great little find — cute, clean, shady and tucked into the woods. And even better, we’re right near the Hiawatha Trail, which we’ll be riding tomorrow. 🚲

    Everything was going beautifully… until Don sat down to relax after today’s drive. 😂

    Yes, there are pictures.
    Yes, there is video.
    And yes, the evidence is pretty conclusive.

    After getting settled, we grilled elk burgers for Don and salmon for me, then headed into St. Regis for the important stuff — milkshakes. Huckleberry for him, Cookies & Cream for me. Priorities. 🥤 (Sorry, no pictures… but we highly recommend the milkshakes!)

    Don also managed to acquire a mousetrap from one of the campground maintenance guys in hopes of catching that little mouse we spotted the night before. Apparently, the maintenance guy’s customer service is excellent — he gave us one of his own! Jack the cat’s annual performance review, however, is not looking so good. 🐭🐈🫣

    Tomorrow: the Hiawatha Trail! Hopefully Don’s legs are better prepared for the ride than his chair was for sitting. 😂🚲    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2026 West Coast LoopTraveler

    Through the Jocko Valley

    July 10 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    More of the Montana landscape as we make our way through the Jocko Valley — from road signs with both the English and Indigenous names on them to a wildlife crossing and views of the Clark Fork River.

  • The Wandering Walkers2026 West Coast LoopTraveler

    Polson & Flathead Lake 🌊🏔️

    July 10 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    Rolling into Polson along the bay, with Flathead Lake and the mountains opening up ahead of us. We passed the marina tucked into the bay, then headed out of town with a long, straight stretch of highway pointing straight toward the mountains.

    Montana sure knows how to make a travel day beautiful! 🚐💙    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2026 West Coast LoopTraveler

    Along the Middle Fork ➜ West Glacier 🏔️🌲

    July 10 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    Still following Highway 2 west along the beautiful Middle Fork Flathead River. The mountains, river and forest have been our companions all morning, and now we’re approaching the west entrance to Glacier National Park and the little town of West Glacier.

    Hard to believe we’re already back at Glacier after just leaving the other side! 🚐🏔️    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2026 West Coast LoopTraveler

    Highway 2: Bear Creek & Snow Shed #8 🚂🏔️

    July 10 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    Continuing along Highway 2 beside Bear Creek, we spotted something pretty interesting up on the mountainside—the railroad’s Snow Shed #8!

    These covered structures protect the BNSF tracks from avalanches, allowing snow, rocks and debris to slide over the top instead of onto the trains. Pretty impressive engineering tucked into the mountainside—and definitely something we wouldn’t have noticed if we weren’t keeping our eyes open! 👀Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2026 West Coast LoopTraveler

    East Glacier ➜ St. Regis: On the Road Again 🚐

    July 10 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    East Glacier ➜ St. Regis: On the Road Again 🚐

    Leaving Glacier behind and heading west through Montana on Highway 2. Big skies, wide-open prairie, winding mountain roads, and views that seem to stretch forever. A long travel day, but a beautiful one!

    Just to add a little excitement to start the day… I spotted a mouse in the RV last night (even woke Don up to get it, but we were unsuccessful), so we’re officially on the lookout for our tiny stowaway! 🐭🔎 Jack the cat may need to step up his game. 🐈😂    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2026 West Coast LoopTraveler

    One Last Dinner & One Last Night in Glacier 🦬🏔️

    July 9 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    On our way back to camp, we stopped once again at Two Sisters Café for dinner. We were seated right away and, after seeing the local bison specialties on the menu, we decided to give them a try. 🦬

    Don ordered the bison steak, and I went with the bison bowl. We both agreed the flavor was really good, but the meat was much tougher than we expected. Definitely an interesting experience, but probably not something we’ll order again! 😉

    Then it was back to our campsite and our home on wheels for the night. 🚌🏕️ There’s something pretty special about ending an incredible day of exploring by coming back to camp, relaxing, and looking around at where you get to call home for the night.

    All in all, it was a fantastic way to spend our final full day in Glacier National Park.

    Another unforgettable adventure in one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever visited. 🏔️💙

    Until next time, Glacier… you were spectacular! ✨    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2026 West Coast LoopTraveler
    Swiftcurrent Lake
    Swiftcurrent Lake

    Post-Hike Bliss at Swiftcurrent Lake 🏔️💙

    July 9 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 64 °F

    After nearly 14 miles on the trail, this was exactly what we needed! 😍

    Sitting on the beach at Swiftcurrent Lake in front of the historic Many Glacier Lodge, soaking up the incredible views, sipping a well-earned beverage, and doing absolutely nothing for a little while. 🍹🏔️

    And of course, we had to show off our new socks! 😉🧦

    Sometimes the best part of a big adventure is finding the perfect spot to sit back, relax, and take it all in. 💙

    Many Glacier, you sure know how to end a hiking day! 🏔️✨    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2026 West Coast LoopTraveler
    Lupinus Argenteus
    Lupinus ArgenteusPenstemon FruticosusPrunella VulgarisMyosotisBeargrassThreeleaf FoamflowerRed BaneberryAquilegia FlavescensMyosotisValeriana SitchensisGentianAlpine SainfoinWild Prairie RoseCastillejaPhacelia SericeaThimbleberry

    Many Glacier in Bloom 🌼🏔️

    July 9 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    One of my favorite parts of hiking in the mountains is discovering all the little details along the way — and today, the wildflowers were putting on quite a show! 🌼💙

    Every turn seemed to bring another patch of color tucked into the landscape, with the towering mountains and dramatic scenery providing the perfect backdrop.

    After nearly 14 miles on the trail, I definitely appreciated having plenty of reasons to stop, look around, and take it all in. 😉🌸

    Nature really does know how to show off in Glacier National Park! 🏔️💙    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2026 West Coast LoopTraveler
    Many Glacier Lodge
    Many Glacier LodgeA wine for Don! 🤣😂🤣 Most people won't ever see this on the shelf!Swiftcurrent LakeHello friend!Old Steam Boiler from The Cracker Lake Copper Mine in the late 1800s/early 1900s.

    Many Glacier Day — Cracker Lake Hike 🏔️💙

    July 9 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F

    Today was absoultely EPIC… one of those days that reminds me why I love exploring the mountains!

    Originally, we planned to hike the Grinnell Glacier Trail, but since we had already done that hike on our last Glacier visit — and it was closed this time due to bear activity — we decided to take on something new: Cracker Lake!

    We were up early and made our way to the Many Glacier area, arriving just after sunrise to grab a parking spot. After a quick breakfast sandwich, we hit the trail for our biggest hike of the trip — nearly 13 miles round trip (14 for me, of course! 😉).

    The hike was incredible from start to finish. The trail took us through beautiful mountain scenery, past glacial streams and waterfalls, across several river crossings, and through fields filled with beautiful wildflowers. We spotted a few deer and some curious ground squirrels along the way, but despite recent bear sightings in the area, that was the extent of our wildlife encounters.

    Reaching Cracker Lake was the ultimate reward. The turquoise-blue water, created by glacial rock flour suspended in the lake, looked almost unreal surrounded by towering peaks and dramatic cliffs.

    We enjoyed lunch while taking in the views. Don found the perfect spot up on the rocks to soak it all in, while I explored a little farther along the shoreline (because you know I had to investigate! 😉). My extra adventure included walking down to the water’s edge, where I found an old mining boiler — a fascinating little piece of Cracker Lake’s mining history, abandoned there more than a century ago.

    The views, the wildflowers, the adventure… Cracker Lake was absolutely worth every step! 💙🏔️    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2026 West Coast LoopTraveler
    Saint Mary Lake
    Saint Mary LakeLooking back at Logan PassLunch CreekPiegan and Cataract MountainsJackson GlacierBlackfeet Pie

    A Slower Glacier Day 🌧️🏔️

    July 8 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 70 °F

    After several busy days exploring Glacier National Park, we welcomed a slower morning. With chilly, showery weather, we took the opportunity to catch up on a few things and enjoy a little downtime.

    By afternoon, the weather cleared enough for a Jeep ride up the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. We’ve driven this route before, but we didn’t want to miss the chance to experience it again while we were here. The views were just as incredible as we remembered — maybe with a little more snow still hanging around!

    We made it as far as Logan Pass from the east side before heading over to Many Glacier to check out the parking situation for tomorrow’s big hike. Everything looked good, and the scenery gave us a great preview of what was waiting for us!

    With the wind picking up, our grilling plans were officially defeated for the night. We tried stopping at Two Sisters Café, but the 45-minute wait had us moving on. Instead, we grabbed pizza in Saint Mary — and it turned out to be a pretty good choice! We tried the Blackfeet Pie, a unique local tribute to the Blackfeet Nation, on whose reservation we are staying.

    A slower Glacier day, a scenic drive, and a little pizza adventure… not a bad way to recharge before tomorrow’s big hike! 🏔️🍕    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2026 West Coast LoopTraveler
    Two Medicine General StoreNorthern BedstrawFleabaneShrubby CinquefoilHackelia MicranthaThimbleberryAster FallsAster Park ViewpointAster Park OverlookThis little fella was posing! 😊Threeleaf FoamflowerGo Don, Go! You'll be fine!Dense-flowered SpiraeaRockwell FallsCalochortus subalpinusTwo Medicine LakeLower Two Medicine Lake

    Two Medicine… finally! 🏔️🐻

    July 7 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    Two Medicine… finally! 🏔️🐻

    We started the day with breakfast before heading out to explore an area of Glacier National Park we’ve been waiting years to see — Two Medicine!

    The drive over MT-49 was a little exciting, but it gave us an unforgettable start. Along the cutover road, I spotted a big mama grizzly down in the valley with two (maybe three!) cubs. What an amazing sight and a great reminder that we were truly in bear country… sorry, no pics!

    Two Medicine Lake was absolutely stunning. Our nearly 9-mile hike took us to Aster Falls, Aster Overlook, and Rockwell Falls. Along the way, we spotted a mama moose, a marmot, and crossed a fun one-person suspension bridge. The trail was also filled with so many beautiful wildflowers, adding even more color to an already incredible landscape.

    With bear sightings reported in the area, we stayed alert the entire hike, but thankfully our only bear encounters were from a safe distance.

    Afterward, we stopped in East Glacier for a well-earned huckleberry bear claw — the perfect treat after a day spent exploring bear country! 🐻 (Looks like we cleaned them out… and again, no picture of the actual claw! 😝)

    Two Medicine was absolutely worth the wait: beautiful scenery, wildlife, wildflowers, and another unforgettable Glacier adventure.    Read more

  • The Wandering Walkers2026 West Coast LoopTraveler
    Lower St. Mary LakeWhite-crowned Sparrow

    Arriving at St. Mary: Glacier Country Awaits

    July 6 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    Another smooth travel day! 🚐 Our back-road route worked perfectly and delivered some incredible views along the way.

    We arrived at St. Mary KOA, enjoyed a relaxing evening, checked out the visitor center, and of course… captured our customary National Park selfie! 🏔️😊

    And to top it all off — another beautiful Montana sunset. 🌅✨    Read more