By Robert Lucke
This time of year is a perfect time to spend some time at Two Medicine in Glacier National Park.
The Two Medicine campground which nestles itself around Two Medicine Lake and Pray Lake is ideal for tent to motorhome camping and there are plenty of large group areas as well.
The hallmark of the area is Two Medicine Lake (which get confusing because there is a Lower Two Medicine lake and an Upper Two Medicine Lake as well) but Two Medicine itself ends where the highway ends in the east front area of the park.
Framed by Mount Sinopah and Rising Wolf Mountain, the lake and its adjoining last remnant of Glacier Park Chalets are situated in a perfect setting.
In early years there were Great Northern Swiss Chalets all over the park. Most were destroyed after World War II. This one remains. Now a camp store with magnificent fireplace that burns all season, it used to be the Chalet dining hall.
There is a tour boar at Two Medicine also called the Sinopah which is a beautiful way to see the lake and is a good start to short or long hikes in that area.
One easy hike, particularly when using the tour boat for the travel time, is to walk up to Upper Two Medicine Lake. The walk is quite level and the scenery is unbelievable. While the tour boat is in use, Ranger naturalists accompany hikers at least once a day.
Another easy walk (almost a stroll) in the area is to walk to Running Eagle Falls. This beautiful waterfall used to be called Trick Falls because at times water poured out of the top of the rock cliff and at other times water comes out through a channel further down on the waterfall.
The Two Medicine area is full of other more strenuous hikes as well. A paradise Point walk is great and above Upper Two Medicine, trails run over craggy divides to the Middle Fork of the Flathead area and into the St. Marys drainages.
On the downside, there can be lots of wind. Pines and firs in the campground are constantly bent telling that story.
But if history, Swiss chalets, great camping, and unbelievable walks and hikes are your thing, Two Medicine is the place for you.
Getting to Two Medicine is easy. Turn towards St. Marys at Browning and turn left at Kiowa Junction or head into East Glacier and head north on Highway 89 for ten miles.
While the camp is open at Two Medicine, tourist items, camping supplies, food and limited restaurant are available daily.
