Buckeyeknitter

We are staying at a condo in Columbia Falls (about 20 miles from Kalispell) next week - could not pass up the great rate we got along with free plane tickets! Got a rental car on Priceline for $115 for a week including fees etc. We are late 50's and into moderately easy hiking, fun places to eat - prefer local joints and like micro brews. I am a knitter and would love to find some unique yarn and we both like poking around in art galleries - especially co-op galleries with local artists and antique stores

We want to drive around and see the area and don't mind driving 100 miles plus - any special drives or routes you will share?

Would appreciate any helpful advice on any of the above thanks!

Pam

tovarich

Going to the sun road is great.On the Logan pass do the hike "hidden lake".Paul

longhorn55

Only part of the GTTS road is open at this time of year. You'll be able to drive part of it from the east side and part of it from the west side. According to the Glacier website (www.nps.gov/glac), the west side of the GTTS Road is open to Avalanche. If the Avalanche Lake trail is open, then this would be a good hike for you--mostly flat and around 4 mi RT. You'll need to check with the rangers to see which trails are still open at this time of year. (BTW, Logan Pass is closed, so no hiking from there.)
Also, if you don't mind a drive, you may enjoy visiting the National Bison Center (weekdays only at this time of year). We toured here last year and really enjoyed seeing all the bison. There were also a couple of places that you could get out to hike, but they were a bit steep. http://www.fws.gov/bisonrange/nbr/

kureiff

We were in Glacier last weekend, and it's beautiful right now. All the tamaracks are turning. We did the Avalanche Lake trail, and it's a nice, easy hike. We were underdressed for the weather so we hiked up and back as fast as we could, but it is a nice hike.

Restaurant suggestions: Wasabi in Whitefish for sushi. Pescado Blanco in Whitefish for Mexican. Tupelo Grille in Whitefish for cajun.

There's also a brewery and nice knitting store in Whitefish.

If you like microbrews: Moose Drool from Big Sky Brewing. Cold Smoke from Kettlehouse. Pigs Ass Porter from Belt Creek.

kureiff

Also, I think the Flathead Winery is still open for tours and tasting, and the turn-off to the winery is in Columbia Falls.

I'd also check out Bigfork, too, for a fun, little town.