On May 11, 1910, President William Taft signed the law that made Glacier National Park what it is today, a protected space that will not feel the encroaching hand of development. It will always remain a pristine area of northern Montana, free from the destruction that mining and other development activities could produce. The more than 700 miles of hiking trails, as well as the phenomenal boating and fishing that is offered by the area will not be destroyed by the hands of man, or will they. When George Bird Grinnell explored the area for the first time at the turn of the century, he was amazed by more than 150 active glaciers that could be viewed from Many Glacier, the best viewing spot in the park. He pressured the Taft administration to sign the protection act into law because he know of how fragile the climate is, and how changes to it could potentially destroy the unique space by melting the ice. He wanted to make sure that there was no way that a company could move into the area and potentially destroy the ecosystem, removing the area from public enjoyment as a result. Unfortunately, a single company might not be responsible for this task. We may be losing the glaciers because of our own actions.
Global warming is causing the world’s lakes and oceans to warm progressively, and as a result the areas that are known for large ice fields are being reduced. In the last 50 years, more than 85% of the ice in Glacier National Park has melted, turning the 150 active glaciers that were seen 100 years ago into a mere 26. You read that correctly, and the pictures of glaciers in Glacier National Park from any time more than 50 years ago do not look anything like it does today. The shrinking amounts of ice are causing not only the glaciers themselves to disappear, the entire area is changing. There may be a time in the not so distant future when you will no longer be able to see the mountain goats and wildlife that rely on the ice to live. You need to get there to see it now, because a single warm snap could literally make it all disappear forever.
Our tours of Glacier are private, which means that you and your group choose what you wan tot do and see, and for how long. After contacting us to discuss the specifics of the trip that you would like to make sure get done, we will work out all the details so that you can enjoy yourself. If you want to partake in the most popular aspects of the park, the boating and fishing, then it is best to go from May until November. There are no permits of licenses necessary, but you will have limitations on the amount of fish that you can catch and keep. The private tours of glacier that we offer are great for all ages including seniors, so book your tip today to see an area that has an uncertain future before it is gone forever.