Winter Phototogarphy in Glacier National Park

With the mild weather we are experiencing here in Glacier National Park I hesitated a moment to call this “winter photography in glacier national park.” Why, because by Glacier National Park standards this is not much of a winter. In fact, we are at about 75% of average for this time of the year which seems a bit on the high side to me - just as an observer. I usually have eight foot drifts in my yard and piles of snow to bottom of my windows this time of year but right now I’m looking at about 4 inches and above freezing temperatures. . . (I predict an early opener to Logan this year as long as the construction does not push it back into June).

In any event, I went and shot some new images along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River just west of Isaac Walton Inn, and Essex, Montana. Following Highway 2 east from West Glacier, Montana, it wont take you long to find some interesting landscapes to photograph. Highway 2 has a number of great opportunities for the careful photographer. Here’s one of my favorites. I won’t tell you exactly where this is, that would ruin some of the adventure and fun of finding your own photo locations, but I will tell you that it's near a “pull-out.”

Speaking of “pull-out,” if you’re planning to shoot along Highway 2 in the winter, (or any other time for that matter, but particularly in the winter) make sure you watch the traffic. Highway 2 is the main northern east west route across Montana and unless this highway is closed it is busy. There are plenty of pull outs but use caution as they often are covered with ice and stopping quickly can be problematic so be sure to slow down well before the pull out. If you happen to miss a pull out, or it comes upon you too quickly, pass it and turn around at the next one and return to it rather than slamming on the breaks to catch it before you pass it up.

Be sure to bring some snow shoes and if you use your tripod on the snow, and it’s any deeper than about two or three feet, avoid spreading the legs of the tripod. Instead just hold the legs together and drive all three legs together into the snow . . . if you use the tripod with the legs spread open odds are you’ll break the lockouts on the spider – the plate at the top of the tripod where the legs come together.

Get out there and shoot some winter images, Glacier Park seldom has many visitors this time of year. If you come be careful and watch for traffic and don't get too close to the river, you never know when you're walking on thin ice!

Tony