On a clear and cold winter day, there is no better place to be than Glacier National Park. And there is perhaps no better way to see the 1 million-acre preserve than on a pair of snowshoes.
There are cross country ski and snowshoe trails located near Apgar, Lake McDonald, the North Fork, Marias Pass, Two Medicine and St. Mary.
Consult with the National Park Service for trail maps and be sure to talk to park rangers for the latest conditions.
If you don’t want to go off on your own, you can take a guided snowshoe tour out of the Apgar Visitor Center with a park ranger. The tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays and depart at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The two-hour ranger led walks take an intimate look at the park in winter and you’ll see signs of wildlife, discover plants and animals and enjoy the solitude of the park in winter.
Participants can use their own snowshoes or rent some from the Park Service. Visitors should dress in layers and bring water and a snack. For more information, visit 406-888-7800 or visit www.nps.gov/glac.
The ranger led snowshoe walks go from Jan. 11 to March 22.