Montanans Will Never Forget Their First Time Visiting Saint Mary Lake
By Nikki Rhoades|Published May 26, 2020
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Montaña is a Spanish word meaning mountain, and no name could be more perfect for our magnificent state. “Land of the Shining Mountains,” locals will explain in reference to their own backyards. One of the most mystifying natural landmarks in Montana is easy to access at the local national park, and its beauty is enough to move any and every Montanan.
It may be one of 118 named lakes in Glacier County, but Saint Mary Lake is perhaps the most stunning. Its wildflowers are intoxicating in the warmer months, and the surrounding streams and pools are mighty and striking even in the winter. Even if you simply drive by and enjoy the majesty of this lake from the comfort of your car, this is one natural landmark in Montana that you won’t want to pass up.
Every single Montanan deserves to experience a day spent amidst the loveliness of Glacier National Park.
Glacier National Park is located along the Canada–United States border, and it features over a million acres of landscape. In this landscape you will find two magnificent and huge lakes, both of which are awe-inspiring.
Saint Mary Lake is the second largest lake in the park, taking up an impressive 3,923 acres.
This petite patch of land may only rise 14 feet above the lake, but it is perhaps one of the most iconic features on Saint Mary Lake. It certainly is one of the most photographed spots, and it is easy to spot from Going-to-the-Sun Road.
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Whether your first experience near Saint Mary Lake involves a quick sightseeing drive-by or an immersive trek through nature, you do owe yourself a hike amidst this lovely landscape eventually.
The trek to St. Mary Falls is fairly easy, although it does come out to nearly two miles for a round trip hike. You'll want to take St. Mary Falls Cutoff Trail (tucked just off of Going-To-The-Sun Road) to get there.
If this landscape looks familiar to you, you might recognize it from the opening scene of 1980's The Shining.
Despite its place in pop culture, visitors find that Glacier National Park is full of local wildlife, so be mindful to leave nothing but footprints during your visit.
If you're lucky, you might spot a lynx prowling across the landscape. Deer, moose, and elk are much more common visitors... so remember to keep your distance and observe from afar.
This park is stunning all year long, although local weather isn't always so stellar. Be sure to check the weather report before planning your trip!
Early indigenous cultures that occupied this are once called it the "Backbone of the World," and it's plain to see why. The magnificent peaks and valleys along the Continental Divide are almost skeletal... an eerie and ancient beauty that's downright entrancing. If you have yet to visit the area around Saint Mary Lake, you owe yourself a visit as soon as possible.
Saint Mary Lake is among the loveliest natural landmarks in Montana. Do you remember the first time you laid eyes upon this ten-mile lake in Montana? Share your thoughts in the comments!
