Our venture today was a route the Park Ranger showed Thom when we visited the Visitor Center for Glacier yesterday. It was described as a "gravel road" but it was doable especially with the Jeep. This route is referred to as the North Fork area of Glacier and takes you to the very small town of Polebridge. The best way to describe Polebridge is to compare it to Chicken, Alaska - very small and out in the middle of nowhere! However, we were told that this small community has a Fourth of July party with almost 600 people in attendance and "even has a marching band"! It is the northernmost portion of the state of Montana and lies near the Canadian border. To get to Bowman Lake, our destination, we had to go this route. I have to say, it was well worth the drive!
There is a smoky haze in the Glacier area due to fires in Idaho, Washington, and Canada, now Glacier!
Upper Flathead River
We saw signs for "fire trucks entering highway" but we had no idea there was a fire in Glacier; when we checked in, we were told there were none in Glacier that they were aware of! This fire started June 28.
The roads to Bowman Lake were mostly gravel, as you can see by the dust left by a vehicle ahead of us. It amazes me just how fast these locals drive on these gravel and natural erosion pockets of the roads (like rumble strips)! We tried speeding up but decided our 25 mph speed was just fine for us. Also, there might be wildlife there, but we're sure the road traffic noise alerts them and they hide!
Upper Flathead River - so beautiful.
We were able to walk down to the river. The rocks there make quite a collectible if you like rocks! Well, I do and I did collect!
Dead shell of a really ugly insect. We will investigate this further!
There is approximately 5 miles of asphalt road on this drive until you get back to Glacier. You can see the gravel and natural erosion like rumble strips to the right.
Coal Creek
Before you get to Polebridge, there is this combo gift shop, restaurant, bar, and gas station out in the middle of nowhere! We had a nice chat with a young man whose sister runs the bar. He comes up from Missoula for the summer to help out. No electricity - only generator power! They will close up on October 30th just before hunting season.
Restroom sign!
Population: 59 (summer); 25 (winter)
The road to Polebridge and then you make a left and you head to Glacier and Bowman Lake!
One of the signs along the "highway" to Polebridge ...
Cradled between the Continental Divide and Whitefish Mountain Range and located a mile from the northwest entrance to Glacier National Park is the electricity-free community of Polebridge. Made up of a handful of houses, cabins, a hostel and small ranches along the North Fork Road, the hub of this area is the historic Polebridge Mercantile and its neighboring Northern Lights Saloon—both powered by generators. "The Merc" is a one stop shop for locals and visitors alike and is famous throughout the state and region for its freshly baked goods, sandwiches and authentic personality. Let me add this, their baked goods are delicious!
The forest here has many interesting tree formations, this being one ...
This being another!
The primitive road to Lake Bowman.
The only wildlife we saw, which was dining just across from the parking area of Lake Bowman!
Lake Bowman! The haze is killing me because the photos do not truly show the beauty of this area, and this was spectacular! It was well worth the dusty, rocky, bumpy ride!
My favorite - fireweed!
Bowman Crrek
There is no border crossing to Canada from Polebridge even though it indicates being 22 miles away!
We ended the evening by having a really nice dinner here back in Columbia Falls. Thom had a flatiron steak and I had wings with a salad. They were out of trout, which I want to try before we leave this area.
Until next blog ...
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