We recently spent a week at my husband’s family’s cabin near Big Fork, Montana and we had such a fun time while there! It’s always been a tradition to head to the lake each Summer and while living in the Caribbean we sure missed it. Heading back to the lake for our first time in almost 2 years made this trip all the more exciting.
The base of Going-to-the-Sun Road, St. Mary’s Lake on the left
Part of the fun of heading to the Echo Lake is driving through the mountains and passing through Glacier National Park. I love driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road and no matter how many times we make this trip, I am continually amazed at the breathtaking views.
still lots of snow at these higher elevations + of course lots of winding roads
Completed in 1932, this scenic roadway stretches 50 miles and makes its way east to west through Glacier National Park. It takes you through a wide range of terrain – hill country, cedar forests, mountains and past lakes and water falls. The highest point of Going-to-the-Sun, at 6.646 ft above sea level, is Logan Pass, and is the point at which you cross the continental divide.
trail of the cedars, a .7 mile stroll through the cedar forest, raised boardwalk sections make the hike perfect for strollers and small children
We usually stop along the Going-to-the-Sun road a couple of times to take in the view or for a picnic or short hike. One of our favourite things to do with the kids is the Trail of the Cedars. It’s an easy stroll and as mentioned above, it has various sections of raised boardwalk making it easily accessible to people with strollers. It’s a short .7 miles and is a perfect little walk for the whole family. For more experienced hikers the trail splits and you can continue on to Avalanche lake or loop around through the cedars and be done.
We usually stop along the Going-to-the-Sun road a couple of times to take in the view or for a picnic or short hike. One of our favourite things to do with the kids is the Trail of the Cedars. It’s an easy stroll and as mentioned above, it has various sections of raised boardwalk making it easily accessible to people with strollers. It’s a short .7 miles and is a perfect little walk for the whole family. For more experienced hikers the trail splits and you can continue on to Avalanche lake or loop around through the cedars and be done.
Alivia investigating the inside of a hollow cedar tree, some of the trees are over 80 ft. tall
A view from one of the roadside pullouts. When taking scenic photos be sure to pick a lens that will give you a wider angle so you can capture the vastness of the landscapes.
With numerous places to pull off the road, the views from Going-to-the-Sun are incredible and of course warrant a few photos. If you make the trip, be sure to stop often going both ways, there are so many beautiful waterfalls and mountain ranges to see.
There is currently construction the pass and you can expect some delays, but on our trip last week we were only stopped for 20 minutes before we were able to continue our drive. Newly paved sections and other road improvements make for a very pleasant and safe drive.
Watch for tunnels, waterfalls, the weeping wall and various wildlife. If you’re not the one driving, be ready with your window rolled down and camera ready to capture what you see. This little mountain goat had traffic stopped for a short time as he made his way across the road and my daughter snapped this quick photo of him as we drove by.
We arrived at Echo in the early evening and the older kids immediately headed out on the lake for a little paddleboat ride.
There was plenty of boating, fishing, tube rides and of course photos to be taken. The kids enjoyed playing with their cousins and I spent my days reading, relaxing and soaking up the sun. It was heaven.
Carson is always so excited to spend time with his Uncle Chris who is an avid fisherman {see our ice fishing adventure from this winter with my brother + the rest of my family}. He got a fishing rod for Christmas and could NOT wait to try it out and have Uncle Chris give him a few pointers.
Big Fork, Montana is just a short drive from the cabin and we often go in for groceries, to play at the park or take in the sites and explore the charming shops on main street. If there be sure to stop at Sweet Peaks Icecream shop, it’s the cutest place!
Lot’s of memories are always made at the lake each year and I can’t think of a more beautiful place to spend the Summer. We’ve definitely fallen in love with this area of Montana and look forward to the road trip there and the time spent with family.
I’d love to hear, what is one of your favourite places to visit each Summer or one of your most memorable road trips?
For photo tips + ideas check out my eBooks and the Simple Fixes action set for PS or PSE from Ella Publishing Co:
Stay tuned tomorrow for a post with step by step instructions on how I edited the image below using the Simple Fixes Action Set and Addy Lane’s Story Teller actions.
All photos in this post taken with my Canon 5D Mk II and Canon 24-70mm 2.8 lens
Rebecca Cooper is a 42-year-old wife and mother of four from Alberta, Canada. As a photographer, crafter, author, and blogger, she finds joy and fulfillment in celebrating everyday moments. She loves to read and eat chocolate, and is a firm believer in afternoon naps. Rebecca shares her family’s adventures, photo tips, simple craft projects + more right here at Simple as That.
Latest posts by Rebecca (see all)
- Printable 2023 Calendar - Monday, December 5, 2022
- SMART Goal Setting Bookmarks - Sunday, June 12, 2022
- Free Printable 2022 Calendar - Thursday, September 9, 2021
It’s so gorgeous and your photography captures it so well.
Our family is going on a cross country road trip and I am brushing up on some photography skills or rather learning some photography skills. 🙂 Yours are an inspiration!
What gorgeous scenery! I love that tree shot and those ones of her in the pink bathing suit on the dock (if that’s what it is); so beautiful! Love that edit too; it’s very subtle!
What a beautiful vacation! I am loving those matching pink suits! SOOOO cute 🙂
Wow! I LOVE your blog, and I was SO excited to hear that you were in Big Fork! My husband and I live 20 miles south of there right on Flathead Lake. What a small world!
Oh we LOVE Montana! How amazing to have a cabin there. These shots are all just SUPER amazing! LOVE them all!
Glacier is amazing. I’ve only been in the winter!
I came across your blog a year or so ago and find it so funny how much we have in common. We just got back from a week and half long vacation at Echo Lake. We were probably there at the same time. I say “ditto” to everything you said. My family looks forward to going there every year and also going on the drive over Logans Pass. One of the best places on earth. My hubby is from Mt. View, AB. So of course, like a lot of other Southern Albertan’s Echo Lake Montana is the best! 🙂
We love Montana too, and the trip through the pass. The photo of Alivia peeking in the big tree is my fav’. 🙂
What beautiful pictures! 🙂 Sounds like you guys had an awesome vacation.
Can I tell you how jealous this makes me? My in-laws have a cabin on Lake Inez and my dh’s whole family is there right now except for us! This is the first year, except for the year that we were in China, that we’ve missed the trip. We always drive up to Big Fork and spend a couple days there. It is truly one of my favorite places in the whole world.
What a beautiful place! I would have taken so many pictures it would have been impossible to choose! haha I love the pic of your little girl on the dock. And I am planning on getting those actions because I love what they have done to the photos…although amazing before, they add a special touch.
Wow. You captured amazing photos!!
Beautiful post of your vacation. I just knew you were off to Echo Lake, we know a lot of people that head out that way this time of year. I bet if I listed a few you would know them. You take great photos!
Our family are all taking various variety of camping weeks. I am slipping off to Arizona for some sister sibling time.
I have to ask if you use some kind of filter with your lens. The pictures turn out so soft and lovely.
Glacier is my most memorable place to visit as a kid growing up in Eastern Montana! Your pictures bring back so many memories, I will always love that road. Funny this is the second time I’ve read about Echo Lake today (the other was in Kinfolk –kinfolkmag.com) though I’ve never actually been there myself. I wonder what the world is telling me…
Beautiful Pictures – I want to go there 🙂
What special memories you are creating Rebecca. Montana is on my list of must-sees in my life
My family took a road trip to Glacier when I was a kid. It was one of the best trips ever! We camped in Waterton and spent one day driving along the Going to the Sun road. I can’t wait to bring my own family there someday! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Such gorgeous pictures!
I love the one of your daughter peering into the tree trunk. Hilarious!
Beautiful. 🙂 I lived in Calgary during my junior high and early high school years and I still miss the mountains and nature that was up there – when you mentioned the Calgary Zoo a while back I had flashbacks of riding my bike on the great pedestrian/bike paths that are all over Calgary! Such good memories.
We just drove that road last weekend when we drove to Kalispell to visit family! It was absolutely stunning, especially The Loop area. I was thrilled to do this trip of a lifetime. Next time I want to stop and do some hiking – and explore Kalispell and area more. Thanks for inspiring with your photography! (My tunnel picture didn’t turn out but I was in the backseat and DH was on a mission to get to our destination.)
Amazingly beautiful photo’s, thank you.