That footbridge is where my first picture above was taken from. If you like quiet, remote, and off the beaten path (and I do), it's hard to beat the Izaak Walton.I would reccomend the Isaac Walton Inn, at Essex, I have not staued there, but I hear it's great for railfanning, as it's located a few yards from the BNSF northern transcon, they even have a bridge over the tracks to sit on and watch trains.
No electronics in the lobby would be fine, but quiet hours would be better. The time I stayed there, there were noisy patrons until about 4 in the morning, and no staff available. I complained the next day and was assured it would not happen again, and the next night was the same.We stayed at the tiny Izaak Walton Hotel in equally tiny Essex, Montana.
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It's remote...no cell phone service and no electronics permitted in the lobby, although free wi-fi internet is available downstairs in the bar.
The new owners might run a tighter ship, but I would not stay there again without some assurance that I could sleep at night.I would reccomend the Isaac Walton Inn, at Essex, I have not staued there, but I hear it's great for railfanning, as it's located a few yards from the BNSF northern transcon, they even have a bridge over the tracks to sit on and watch trains.
Don't think so (not sure). Been watching Glacier NP on Facebook and they are still plowing roads and trying to get campgrounds open. BNSF had their hands full as well with our past winter.Is there any Red Bus or shuttle service around the park during the winter? I will likely be visiting in early January (probably Izaak Walton Inn) and nobody in my group drives so a rental car is not an option.
Greatcats, we stayed at the Belton Chalet several years ago in May. We loved it. We had lunch at the Issac Walton Inn and although we didn't stay there, we prefered the Betlon Chalet. Their restaurant food was outstanding (the locals said it was the best in the area); the trackside deck was perfect for cocktail hour; a passing siding in addition to the double main provided much rail activity with trains often parked on the siding; a couple minutes to Apgar village and the west entrance to the park and Lake McDonald area; a short walk to the West Glacier, aka Belton, station and the Amtrak stop; the places oozes history and our room with a balcony providee a bed side view of the tracks. Highly recommended.I will be doing a campground talk for the National Park Service in Flagstaff this summer that I've been preparing. The topic will be the History of Railroads and National Park Lodges. One that I discovered in my research is the Belton Chalet near the West Glacier station. It was the first Great Northern hotel at Glacier and is now privately operated. It looks quite appealing.
Very nice. We are looking forward to our trip there in a couple of months.She Who Must Be Obeyed and I had a lovely trip to Glacier on the train in 2014.
While I'm all in favor of renting a car for exploring at Glacier, from what I've heard of the Going-to-the-Sun road I'd highly recommend that you look into booking the Red Bus circle tour. That way you can give your full attention to the scenery and let the driver watch the road.Very nice. We are looking forward to our trip there in a couple of months.She Who Must Be Obeyed and I had a lovely trip to Glacier on the train in 2014.
"The next day we drove GTTSH and I was out of my element." ... like to hear more about this...we are also renting a car and I'm planning on making the drive!
Thanks ehbowen, I've heard that advice before.While I'm all in favor of renting a car for exploring at Glacier, from what I've heard of the Going-to-the-Sun road I'd highly recommend that you look into booking the Red Bus circle tour. That way you can give your full attention to the scenery and let the driver watch the road.Very nice. We are looking forward to our trip there in a couple of months.She Who Must Be Obeyed and I had a lovely trip to Glacier on the train in 2014.
"The next day we drove GTTSH and I was out of my element." ... like to hear more about this...we are also renting a car and I'm planning on making the drive!
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