Montana and portions of Glacier National Park

KOOTENAI FALLS

Just a short paddle downstream from Libby, Idaho the Kootenai River enters a canyon and flows over one of the largest free-flowing waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest ~ Kootenai Falls. It was here that we lucked out one recent afternoon and crossed paths with a troupe of intrepid paddlers as they shot the turbulent vertical drops of these beautiful waterfalls. Here is a sampling of more images to come.
Be sure to click on the image for a full size, coming right at you view.
Enjoy…

KOOTENAI FALLS SUSPENSION BRIDGE

Initially built by the U.S. Forest Service to access forest fires across the Kootenai River, this foot bridge was destroyed by a major flood in 1948. Seen here is the rebuilt bridge now on concrete piers and is now protected from flooding by Libby Dam. Used for both administrative purposes and open to the public the bridge offers spectacular views of the Kootenai River gorge directly below Kootenai Falls.

 

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

CLEMENTS MOUNTAIN, LOGAN PASS, GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
8,760’ Clements Mountain a primary summit of the Lewis Range in Glacier National Park. Seen here looking east toward Logan Pass with the Logan Pass Information Center in the right middle ground. A small portion of Going-To-The-Sun road is also to the right of the image.
Named in honor of the late Walter M. Clements who had worked to set up a treaty between the Blackfeet and the U.S. Government for the purchase of tribal lands east of the continental divide which later became part of the national park.

GLACIER MORNING
Our first morning in Glacier National Park was a crisp, clear September dawn in McDonald Creek Valley near West Glacier. Over 25 miles in length and feeding McDonald Lake this creek is the longest stream inside of the park boundary.

McDonald Creek Valley, Glacier National Park

McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park flows westwardly into McDonald Lake. This 25 mile long scenic creek is the longest within the park boundaries and descends through a mixture of crystal clear pools, small waterfalls and short gravel reaches.

SUNRISE FROM LOGAN PASS
Looking east from Logan Pass as mists lift from Reynolds Creek drainage.

THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE
The Lewis Range of the Continental Divide seen from Logan Pass looking north.

GOING TO THE SUN ROAD

Looking east from Logan Pass early one September morning at the 9,647’ Going-to-the-Sun Mountain  located in Glacier National Park above the St. Mary River Valley just north of the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

The road officially received its name, "The Going-to-the-Sun Road," during the 1933 dedication at Logan Pass. The road borrowed its name from nearby Going-to-the-Sun Mountain.

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