1. Take exit 129 of I-90 (just after you crossed the 6,368 foot Homestake Pass) and merge with the northbound I-15 lanes.
2. Follow I-15 northbound, by Great Falls, to exit 348 of I-15 (about 154 miles).
3. Turn left onto MT-44 at the end of the exit ramp and follow MT-44, through Valier, to its end at US-89 (about 29 miles).
4. Turn right on US-89 and follow it to Browning (about 29 miles).
Optional side trip:
There are several lakes and waterfalls in the Two Medicine River Watershed. Running Eagle Falls (a segmented cascade, 25 feet wide dropping about 75 feet) is the only one you can see from the road. There is an easy-to-moderate trail that loops around Two Medicine Lake giving you close-up views of both Running Eagle Falls and Twin Falls. If you wish to visit this area:
Drive north on MT-49 to Two Medicine Junction (about 4 miles). Turn left onto the Two Medicine entrance road and follow it to its end (about 9 miles). You will pick up detail information and a park map at the entrance station shortly after you enter the park (entry fee is $10.00 per non-commercial automobile - good for 7 days).
5. From Browning or East Glacier Park, take US-2 westbound. You will skirt the southern boundary of Glacier National Park, climb to the 5,220 high Marias Pass at Summit. You'll then follow Bear Creak down the mountain, around the southern tip of Glacier National Park to the Middle Fork of the Flathead river.
6. The railroad track following (and frequently crossing) US-2 is now owned by Burlington Northern. At Essex is the composition yard where they add
engines to eastbound trains to help them up the grade to the pass - or remove the extra
engines from the westbound trains having descended from the pass. This is a favorite stop for railroad buffs. Continue on US-2 to West Glacier (about 57 miles from East Glacier) passing between the 8,705 ft Great Northern Mountain (on your left) and the 9,376 ft Mount St Nicholas on your right.
7. The West Glacier entrance road to Glacier National Park is to your right (it is well marked). You'll stop at the West Entrance Station where you pay your fee and get the official Glacier National Park literature and map and you are on your way on Going-to-the-Sun Road (entry fee is $10.00 per non-commercial automobile - good for 7 days).
8. At St Mary, turn right (south) on US-89 and follow it, through Browning (about 28 miles), to the intersection of MT-44 (26 more miles).
9. Turn left (east) onto MT-44 and follow it, through Valier, to exit 348 of I-15 (about 29 miles).
10. Turn right and take the near on-ramp, merging with I-15 southbound.
11. Follow I-15 to exit 129 of I-90 at Butte.
12. The eastbound on-ramp is on the far side of the freeway and is a RIGHT turn, looping around merging with the eastbound lanes (about 154 miles from MT-44), and continue on your way east on I-90.
For more information about Glacier National Park, its topography as well as its inhabitants:
Glacier National Park
P.O.Box 128
West Glacier, MT 59936
406-888-7800
Or you may email them at:
glac_information@nps.gov
Official NPS Glacier National Park web site:
www.nps.gov/glac/home.htm
