Spring in Glacier National Park - first "dark sky's" designation - but what will users do about it?

It's raining and snowing here in Glacier National Park, at least on the "wild-side" of the park - east glacier to the Canadian Border. For the people who live along the eastern flanks of the Rocky Mountains, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, the eastern border of Glacier Park, spring means warmer temperatures and receding snow lines but it also means wet weather.

The snow line is receding, the grass is greening but the clouds are providing ample rain and snow. 

This particular spring is a bit cooler and wetter than it has been in the past few years. I predict a later opening for the Going to the Sun road than last year, but it should be open in June! Lately, we've had cool nights, cool days, some rain mixed with snow, lots of clouds, slowly greening grass, and the pasque flower is blooming!  

The first prominent prairie wildflower of the spring. 

Looking west across the southern end of the Blackfeet Reservation into Glacier National Park and Saint Nick. 

Going the Sun Road near Saint Mary Lake. © Tony Bynum 

I wanted to bring to your attention the news that Glacier National Park was just given the honor of being the first "Dark Sky's" park. What is a Dark Sky's park? It's one where there's a strategy to consider and reduce ambient scattered light. Where stargazers and photographers can go to take photos of the night sky. Here's the full article about Dark Sky's and Glacier-Waterton Peace Park.

Sounds like a fantastic idea. I have one request, please, if you're into night photography, stop using massive amounts of annoying bright light in your photography and just use what the stars, moon, and nature provides. What I mean is, how about not adding light sabers, torches, lighting rocks and tents, no more of it, please. It sucks when you're watching over Lake Mcdonald or Saint Mary Lake and you have to watch light saber duels flashing around all night, it's become a very strange thing. I wonder why people don't take a more careful measure of their impact on the people around them? 

Various ways "Dark Sky's" are wrecked by people who love dark sky's adding bright lights. It's rather amazing that the people who love to star gaze seem to also love to shine bright lights around in the sky. I don't get it. This is a screen grab off google photos. 

Switching gears. The opening day of Serrano's restaurant has become something of a milestone. The town of East Glacier comes out of its winter slumber on May 1st, the day Serranos restaurant opens. In the past few years, it's been pretty popular so get there early, I think they open at 4pm.  

If you're interested in food during the winter months, Ramsey's "Fire Brand" is open year around, and Mark Howser, popular "Two Medicine Grill" opens early to serve you and is a year around restaurant connected to a small, but well-stocked grocery store. You can get beer, wine, ice cream, there's a deli and they make pizza too! 

Finally, for gas in East Glacier, There are Bear Tracks. Bear Tracks offers beer, wine, milk, chips, and a wide assortment of foods. It's gas pumps are always open and the store is open year around as well. 

If you're planning a trip to Glacier, please bring your bear spray and carry it where you can actually us it!  

For more Glacier Park Photographs here's a link to Tony Bynum's gallery with a few Glacier Park Photographs. 

Tony Bynum