- Joined
- Feb 19, 2016
- Messages
- 836
I am planning an extended rail journey Pittsburgh-New York-Toronto-Vancouver-Seattle-Essex MT-Chicago-Pittsburgh. Stopping each layover at least a couple days. Will take most of the month of May 2017. Already have all train reservations.
One of my stopovers would be several days at the Izaak Walton Inn in the very small jurisdiction of Essex, MT, just across a footbridge from Glacier NP. Anyone have experience with this venue? Reasonably clean, decent food, ample assistance with local activities available?
http://www.izaakwaltoninn.com/
What about hiking in GNP around the 20th of May--how much snow/ice should I expect; are snowshoes really necessary? I will be doing some ambitious dayhikes but not backcountry camping this trip. Is the Going-To-The-Sun Road open then? I'll be renting a Subaru Forester at the Inn for use in getting to hiking trailheads each day and other regional explorations.
I know there are other lodging venues available, one of which the Empire Builder stops at seasonally. But it costs more, and I'm attracted to the railfan ambience of Izaak Walton Inn. I mean, where else near Glacier NP can you sleep in a train-themed room, caboose, or locomotive? FWIW I'm also staying with a friend at an aboriginal "lodge" in Vancouver.
One of my stopovers would be several days at the Izaak Walton Inn in the very small jurisdiction of Essex, MT, just across a footbridge from Glacier NP. Anyone have experience with this venue? Reasonably clean, decent food, ample assistance with local activities available?
http://www.izaakwaltoninn.com/
What about hiking in GNP around the 20th of May--how much snow/ice should I expect; are snowshoes really necessary? I will be doing some ambitious dayhikes but not backcountry camping this trip. Is the Going-To-The-Sun Road open then? I'll be renting a Subaru Forester at the Inn for use in getting to hiking trailheads each day and other regional explorations.
I know there are other lodging venues available, one of which the Empire Builder stops at seasonally. But it costs more, and I'm attracted to the railfan ambience of Izaak Walton Inn. I mean, where else near Glacier NP can you sleep in a train-themed room, caboose, or locomotive? FWIW I'm also staying with a friend at an aboriginal "lodge" in Vancouver.