Fall in the Rockies

Avalanche Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana

I was fortunate to visit the Rockies this fall. For some reason I keep getting asked: “why Glacier National Park?”

Being tempted by the wave of foliage washing over Glacier on Instagram confirmed it: the weather was too perfect not to visit before the Going-to-the-Sun Road closed.

Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park

And why not? Who wouldn’t want to visit “the Crown of the Continent?”

Having already seen Banff and parts of Jasper I was poised to defend my Canadian heritage with the ferocity of a pika. Luckily this wasn’t necessary: The largest undefended border in the world passes between Glacier (Montana) and Waterton Lakes National Park (Alberta). The 2 countries share in the responsibility of protecting this continental treasure. You do still need that passport.

Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

And crossing into Waterton meant I was within a 4 hour drive of Banff, my second favorite place in the world. Better see that in the fall too.

Bow River, Banff National Park, Alberta

Uncharacteristically, my words fail me when describing these places, so here are a couple more pictures from Canada …

Sunset at Morant’s Curve, Banff National Park, Alberta
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park

My original plan was to see Colorado and Yellowstone, but I ended up seeing neither and it was wonderful. It’s taken too long to figure this out, but planning trips as little as possible leads to the best trips.

Natural Bridge, Yoho National Park, British Columbia