In the far southeast corner of Glacier National Park is a rugged area with beautiful lakes and waterfalls called Two Medicine. I’ve been to this area twice. Both times it rained but both times I walked to Running Eagle Falls. Rain or not, doing a trail that is 0.6 miles round trip is doable. My camera was happy under my broad brim hat. Today the sun is shining bright so let’s do some waterfall hikes in Two Medicine!
Well, did not expect this!
I was staying at the Mountain Pine Motel in East Glacier Park. A 3.5 mile drive along MT-49 to this Entrance Road. Upon returning to the motel I talked with the owner about the road closure. Its been well known and on the Park’s web site that the campground would close for the season on September 7. Long needed construction repairs to be done. However it was not widely advertised that the entire area would close, but the surrounding communities knew. I have a feeling the Park is short staffed. It is happening throughout the National Parks thanks to the regime in power that is trying to monetize everything at our expense. To ensure visitor safety it would be wiser to close the area. Dang, but OK.
So, new plan. My friend, I’ll give you an overview of the Two Medicine area of Glacier, then a short road trip along MT-49 stopping for pictures at the many pullouts overlooking Lower Two Medicine Lake. Some pullouts are narrow, some are on scary cliff edges, others hold one car only, and a few are large. We’ll give most all a try. Here we go!
Overview
Here’s the area’s map again for perspective. The green line far right is MT-49, the road from East Glacier Park to the Entrance Road then on to US-89. A 12-mile narrow, curvy adventure with great views!
#3 — Upper Two Medicine Lake can only be accessed by long hikes or taking a watercraft to the west end of Two Medicine Lake to shorten your hikes. Boat tours run about each hour offering many opportunities to arrive closer to the upper lake and enable a quicker return trip.
#2 — Two Medicine Lake, where the Entrance Road ends. All services are here. A campground, general store, watercraft rentals, boat tours, ranger station, picnic area, and most of the area’s hiking trails.
#1 — Lower Two Medicine Lake is the only lake we can see from MT-49. There are no maintained trails or road access to or around this lake. Of the three lakes, this is the largest.
Road Trip
Let’s start at the day’s beginning. Heading up from the motel we come to Two Medicine River. It flows 60 miles from its headwaters near the Continental Divide in the higher mountains in Glacier National Park. This river heads north joining Cut Bank Creek forming the Marias River. The Marias flows 210 miles southeast flowing into the Missouri River.
The Blackfeet Indian Reservation borders the eastern edge of Glacier and some of the land is still contested but that’s another story. It seems relationships are good and that’s important for all visitors as well as residents on the eastern side of Glacier. In the Two Medicine area the boundary is clear. The western half of Lower Two Medicine Lake is the Park Service’s responsibility. The eastern half and the campground near Two Medicine’s Entrance Road are on Blackfeet land. That campground and the lake’s dam are Blackfeet operated.
Rising Wolf Mountain with its red “cap” stands on the far side of Two Medicine Lake. The mountain’s elevation is 9,513 ft. (height above sea level) and rises above the lake 4,450 ft. Quite a natural masterpiece.
A beach! No easy way to get there, but would be an adventure. The Blackfeet staff at the campground said they welcome people to explore the area, but there are no maintained roads or trails. They were happy to help with directions to easier access points.
The end of Lower Two Medicine Lake. We are looking at the eastern side of Rising Wolf Mountain. Two Medicine Lake curves in front of the mountain. We’ll get back there one day. No promises but such a gorgeous area and so many waterfalls–my faves! A return visit is hard to resist.
The road widens as it begins a steep downhill to join US-89. Let’s just take a peek at what’s ahead.
Fall is taking hold! Do you see the glacier mid picture? There are many glaciers in the park, but they are disappearing faster than ever. Always good to see them.
Thanks for coming along on this makeshift trip that was not the one I planned but offered a whole new perspective. Natural beauty is everywhere my friend! Just slow down and take it in.
Until next time . . .
