The Glacier reporter. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1953-current, 1953-10-09
observations
FROM The SIDELINES
By T. A. Busey

/
tiful as in the late fall of the
year, and last Sunday it was
at its best. The writer of this
column with his family, on brief
trip to Kalispell, went over Logan
pass rather early Sunday morn,
ing, and the scenery that greeted
us beggars description.
To say that coloring of the
trees, rocks, and even the noun
tains themselves in late fall is ut,
terly beyond description, and to
say that no painting could do
them justice, would be common.
place.
There was absolutely no wind
Sunday, and the lakes were like
huge mirrors, reflecting the beau
ty and gorgeous colorings of
their rugged and picturesque sur
roundings. The streams are bit
low for this time of year, but the
waters we're crystal clear, and as
they tumbled over the many
waterfalls, or were still in the
frequent pools or in the lakes,
shimmering in the sunshine and
with their always present reflec-
tions, presented sight long to be
remembered.
And one of the fine things
about trip through the park at
this time of year is that the Wis
itors have the whole beauteous ex
hibition mostly to themselves.
There were but few cars on the
highways which were in near-per-
feet condition. There was no
semblance of ice or snow, save
a few icycles that had formed
around some of the waterfalls,
and a trace of snow at and near
the summit of Going-to-the-Sun
pass, where the snow plows had
evidently removed some light,
earlier snowfall. One lone couple
at the summit, taking pictures
and enjoying themseles immense
ly, were the only visitors at the
summit when we arrived. The
fortunate sight-seers were from
Great Falls, and had camped the
night before at the big public
tourist camp near Lake Melon
aid hotel II the largest camp
ground in the park-and had the
whole grounds to themselves. In
July they had attempted to stop
at the same place, but every
available space was taken. They
were proceeding through the
park in leisurely fashion, stop
ping where fancy dictated, taking
pictures of scenes that could not
be found at any other time OF
year.
One peculiar thing was notice
able-the absence of any signs OF
wild life. On the whole trip not
deer or bear appeared along the
highway. Even the wild life that
abounds in the park seemed to
sense that the tourist season was
at an end, and had retired to their
natural habitats in preparation
for the coming winter, and had
left the natural beauty of the
natural mountain Businesses to
their solitary grandeur and
beauty.
1t was a rare and worthwhile
experience, and one wonders why
more people who live in fairly
close proximity to the park do
not take advantage of the beauty
that is presented at autumn time
as at no other season of the year
in Glacier Park.
4, Z: :: :: Il Il
And to climax a perfect day, we
stopped at Hungry Horse dam,
the huge government installation
on the South Fork of the Flat
head river, only few miles OF
Highway No. 2 to the south from
the town of Hungry Horse. 1t
was late in the afternoon when
we arrived at the big dam, and
like unto our experience in the
park, had the show mostly to our
selves. The big dam is now prac-
tically complete, and the huge
reservoir that backs up the river
for thirty miles or more is about
two-thirds full. Most of the con-
struction equipment has been
removed, and the installation now
reveals what appears to be per-
feet, and gigantic, engineering ac-
complishment. Across the top of
the dam a wide, commodious
drive and walk-way has been pro-
vided, and one can drive out onto
the dam and get an awe-inspiring
view of the lower side of the dam,
and on the upper side view the
big lake that meanders back up
the river. In its mountainous
setting, this too is wondrous
sight.
Hungry Horse dam was COM
pleted nearly a year ahead of
schedule, and at approximately
one million dollars less than the
estimated cost. Construct n
was married by few accidents or