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D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A M A G A Z I N E
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W I N T E R 2 0 2 4 - 2 5
reach West Glacier, formerly known as Belton.
This is where you must decide if you want to con-
tinue east on US 2 or turn north and enter Glacier
National Park. Be forewarned. During tourist sea-
son, you now need to make a reservation to enter
the Park. During the off season, the only road that
crosses the park, Going-to-the-Sun, is closed due
to the heavy snow buildup that blocks the high-
way. Only rarely is the highway clear beyond Lake
McDonald Lodge.
Should you continue east on US 2, roughly thir-
ty miles further takes you past Essex. Essex is one
of those places I love to take visitors. The Izaak
Walton Inn resembles all the larger Glacier Park
hotels—and for a good reason. All the old lodg-
es in the park were built by the Great Northern
to encourage travelers to take the train and stay
in railroad-owned hotels. The smaller facility at
Essex was built to house railroad workers. To-
day, the structure houses a small hotel with an
in-house restaurant. The food is always good, and
the scenery can't be beat. And these days, should
you wish, you don't have to stay in a 100-year-old
lodging. Rent a locomotive or a caboose instead.
Back in Columbia Falls, turn north and take
Montana Secondary 486 for an hour's drive to
