Top Five Destinations of Kalispell, MT

With regards to the weekend, I rarely like to plan farther ahead than Thursday, maybe Friday. Sure, if there is a concert, comedy show or convention, then yes, I?ll need to plan further ahead for the good ones. However, most weekends are best when you play them by ear. It?s sunny? Maybe I?ll head to the beach and walk around in the sand or get more ambitious and tackle a long hike. It?s cold and rainy? It?s a movie weekend or time to curl up with a good book under the covers and maybe hit the grocery store to buy the ingredients for a pot of chili on Sunday.

With regards to a trip to the mountains, it takes a lot more planning ahead, especially if I want full access to hike and drive anywhere I choose. If I want to travel to the southern mountains, then I can probably plan to visit anytime after Memorial Day. If I want to go to Glacier National Park near the lovely Kalispell, Montana, I?m going to have to check the plowing conditions and see how it?s going. Last year, on May 21, 2012, the park?s plowing photostream showed snow taller than a crane on the road. Why is there a crane on the road, you ask? The road crew uses a crane to help clear the snow on the park roads. That?s serious snow. It?s also pretty serious when the FAQ for the main park road says it could open at the earliest on June 21st. Emphasis on ?could.?

So, I have at least three months and a week or so before I can get to as much of Glacier National Park as I want. So as I bide my time, here are the things that I look forward to seeing when I make it out to Kalispell, the closest gateway (35 miles) to the west entrance of Glacier National Park.

Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park

The reason I?ve written so much about the road conditions is because I want to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The road is so twisty and turny, the estimate is that it takes two hours to drive fifty miles, which may be a slower rate than Los Angeles rush hour, but much easier on the blood pressure. However that time estimate doesn?t include the time it takes to stop and gawk at mountains, glaciers and deep blue skies.

Hike the Avalanche Lake Trail in Glacier National Park

After sitting in the car and driving, I?ll need to stretch my legs and the Avalanche Lake trail seems like just the ticket. Only 4.5 miles and not much of an elevation gain with the added bonus of a waterfall means I can see some great sights, get some exercise and still make the long return trip to Kalispell before it gets too late.

Eat a pizza or three at Moose?s Saloon

I want to get back to Kalispell because I want to be sure to sit down in front of a beautiful pizza from Moose?s Saloon. Just looking at the pictures of their pie makes me hungry even after I?ve eaten dinner. If I for some reason get tired of pizza (I don?t think that is possible) I can always try Conrad Mansion Museum to learn a little more about how Charles Conrad founded Kalispell and to see how the town has changed over the years.

Fly Fish wherever legal in Glacier National Park.

Mountains streams are meant for?fly-fishing. I?ll find a fly shop, like maybe?Big Fork Anglers Fly Shop and spend the day wandering up and down streams as long as my legs and the sunlight allows.

Check out the Conrad Mansion Museum

Finally, I?ll tour the?Conrad Mansion Museum to learn a little more about how Charles Conrad founded Kalispell and to see how the town has changed over the years.

Any suggestions for things that I missed? Any additional recommendations for the area? Just let me know in the comments.