mcdonald creek

The stunning views of the peaks along McDonald Creek spotlight the effects of glaciers. There is a beautiful valley that was formed by the advancement of a gigantic glacier. It boggles the mind to think the water that is there now, use to be ice.

On our recent trip to Glacier National Park we stopped at a number of turnouts to view different aspects of the beautiful McDonald Creek. Winding along the valley, it tumbles over rocks and fallen logs, making cascades and waterfalls all along the way. I loved the rich jade colored water. There is rich vegetation and flowers along the road and the riverbanks. We stopped at a very nice view area that had a very large, nice new decking, trees providing shade, in a bend of the river. Worth the stop for the peaceful atmosphere and great picture taking.

Be sure to stop at the pull out off Going To The Sun Road just east of The Trail of Cedars for a look at the falls. Beautifully clean stream totally wild. Even in the fall season there is still enough water for a series of short falls. The water is crystal clear with a blue tint. Great photos opportunities at this pull out and further west at the bridge which spans this stream.

This is a pretty fast moving creek, more like a river, than a creek. Some interesting turnoffs and some great photo ops for the picture taking buffs.

This is a beautiful creek, be sure to pull into the overlooks to get a good view. There are many little rapids all along. You can also rent a boat in agar village and go on lake McDonald or enjoy the calm part of the creek.

Very nice place to stop as the creek has a series of waterfalls before it enters the lake. Good size parking lot but no sign as you come form the east. Have a navigator.

We just drove to this beautiful creek and spent sometime playing and enjoying water.The water is very clean and crystal clear and lots of places to get into the water. The creek amidst lustrous green surroundings is awesome. The water was flowing gently amidst rocks and trees and the beautiful weather added to the beauty of the creek and the surrounding places. Lots of parking place and since we were in may there was no crowd at all. It was a beautiful morning with tiny sunlight and making the walk along very pleasurable and beautiful.

In the spring the creek is usually wild and at flood stage from the snow melt. Summer the creek is average and flowing nicely, and in fall there is even less water in the creek. You can take a nice hike along the creek and see the creek from overlooks, easy hike from the parking area.

Easy walk from parking area especially if its later in the day it's not do crowded. Waterfall is beautiful, creek is pretty blue, and you can see dippers, the birds, darting in and out all around! Great place to cool your toes.

This is easy access from road and once at the bridge you have a great view of the cascading water flowing under the bridge. You can carefully walk down below the bridge and get some nice pictures of the cascades under it. Limited parking. Hint: Look down from the road to the blue pool and you will be amazed at how clear it is and that you can see clear to the bottom. This is one of those "less advertised" features that you will treasure. Finally, stop a little way up the road and shot a picture of the river with the bridge in the distance.

I love this place. Timing is important if you want to see it at it's best. Late spring/easrly summer when the snow melt runoff is at it's peak is the best. The water can really be forceful and spectacular to see. It settles down a lot as the summer goes on. Well worth pulling off the road and the short hike.

Stop and take a look at this fast flowing creek. for a real treat make sure you stop at the pulloff halfway between the end of lake Mcdonald and the walk of the cedars. Their is a hiking path that goes down and then onto a bridge across the creek. you want this bridge.Now walk to the middle of that bridge and look upstream and you will get a knowing smile. Every single tour video I have ever seen has taken a long shot from that spot it is so spectacular. The shots across Lake Mcdonald at Qpgar Village may be the most Common shot taken, but this is the one everyone really wants. The flowing water over the rocks is spectacular at all times of the year.The walk to that spot is less than 1/4 mile and totally worth it so bring your gear! I found it by accident on my trip and took a bunch of photos. I am always pleased now when I see promotional shots of glacier park and they are just like the shots I have and it gives me a knowing smile . so i share this secret spot with you so you can share in the thrill

We did a 2 hour trail ride that left from the McDonald lodge area and followed along McDONALD creek. Very pretty ride through dense forest which opens up along the creek. Good ride for inexperienced riders.

In early July 2012, we stopped at several pullout's to photograph McDonald Creek. I still smile thinking about how it's officially called a "creek"! Perhaps that's the case in late summer or fall. Anyhow, it's an amazing waterway filled with tranquil meandering sections, roaring rapids, falls, and churning water in the most beautiful shades of aqua, blue, and white. After returning back home and seeing my photos on a large computer screen, I was thrilled to see how professional my McDonald Creek pics looked (without using any special camera attachments or filters). Wishing I could have spent more time in this area enjoying the spectacular setting and taking more photos! Be sure to stop at the various pullouts to savor the glory of nature and capture it on film.

Having taken this hike in June 2012 after a very wet spring, we're still laughing about the label "Creek" on what we saw as an impressive torrent with a series of truly awesome cascades. This would be a pretty, easily accessible hike at any time of year. We feel especially fortunate to have seen it on a pretty day in early summer. The extra loop to Johns Lake was also enjoyable, but less impressive. This whole area is just lovely.