The Crown of the Continent, Glacier National Park is one of the most visited and beloved destinations in the National Park System. In this part 1 of 2 episodes on the park, we discuss one of its most unique aspects: their backcountry chalets. Ten chalets dotted the park back more than a hundred years ago, providing visitors a place to rest between day-long horseback rides. Today, three of the ten original chalets still exist and operate as places where travelers can spend a night or two while exploring the park. In August, we hiked up to Granite Park Chalet, along the Highline Trail, and spent a couple of nights in this historical site. Join us as we talk about how we planned the trip and our experience in the backcountry of this magnificent park.

Some of the topics we discuss in this episode:

·      Why the Great Northern Railway built the backcountry chalets

·      What happened to all of them

·      Which ones still exist

·      Planning a visit to stay at one of the remaining chalets

·      Why you’ll need a reservation/ticket for Going to the Sun Road

·      Tips and tricks regarding the park’s shuttle system

·      The story of our visit to Granite Park Chalet in August 2021

Links to more information:

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