Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Apgar Picnic Area - Glacier National Park

After leaving the Apgar visitor center, we stopped at the Apgar picnic area for lunch. The picnic area is located on Apgar Loop Road near the Apgar campground and Going-to-the-Sun Road. We weren't looking for a scenic view, just a picnic table where we could prepare and eat lunch. However, just a few steps north of our picnic table was the shore of Lake McDonald and some amazing vistas. Restrooms with running water and flush toilets are located at the eastern end of the picnic area. We visited in early May 2021.

Apgar Mountains above Lake McDonald

Howe Ridge with Longfellow Peak and Rogers Peak in the clouds

Stanton Mountain (7750)', Mount Vaught (8854'), Heavens Peak (8987') on the left,
Mount Grinnell (8851') in the center, and 
Mount Cannon (8952'), Mount Brown (8565') on the right above Lake McDonald (3153')

Mount Cannon and Mount Brown above Lake McDonald

We liked the picnic area so much that we stopped there again later in the week and later in the day. On this day, Lake McDonald was so still that it made mirror-like reflections of the mountains and the clouds.

Stanton Mountain, Mount Vaught, Heavens Peak, Mount Grinnell, Mount Cannon, and Mount Brown

A closer view with rain being blown away

Howe Ridge with Longfellow Peak and Rogers Peak

Apgar Mountains

A final view of Lake McDonald

A Glacier National Park entry fee of $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, or $20 per person is valid for seven consecutive days. Other fee payment options include the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes including the Annual Pass ($80), Senior Pass ($80 for a lifetime), Access Pass (free with a documented disability), and Military Annual Pass (free for active-duty personnel). Also available is a Glacier Annual Pass for $70. 

The Glacier National Park website is https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm.

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