Way back in the spring, I began talking to my girlfriend’s about planning a much needed moms weekend away at Glacier National Park. By this point, Tynan was a year old and I had yet to spend a single night away rom him, meaning a whole year without sleeping through the night.
When you are trying to coordinate mama’s you need to give a lot of advanced notice. We planned a July trip in April (before I knew I was pregnant) to do an epic hike in Glacier followed by an overnight stay in a cabin at the West Glacier KOA.
Hiking to Grinell Lake
By the time July came around, I was hesitant to do any hike that was too strenuous after needing a rescue on an earlier hike that season. Luckily my friends were flexible and we decided to hike around Swiftcurrent Lake. We started off at the busy Many Glacier Hotel and after a few false starts we found the right trailhead.
This was a paved, easy section of the trail and we enjoyed lake views as we walked and chatted.
It took awhile before I realized that this was the section of trail to get to Grinell Glacier, a hike Rachelle and I have done a couple years ago.
When we got to where the trail splits to loop around the lake we saw a sign saying the east side of the lake was closed due to high bear activity. Of course.
We did a quick re-evaluation and decided to hike to Grinell Lake instead.
The hike was pretty busy the entire way, but there was no climbing which made it an easy jaunt.
The lake itself was GORGEOUS and we stopped for lunch in a quiet spot on the shore.
On the way back, we did a short detour to check out Hidden Falls before heading back for the car.
Around mile 6 I started to feel uncomfortable- this pregnancy sure is different than the last! We did a total of 8 glorious miles. After a parking lot stretch, we set off for West Glacier to check in to our cabin and get dinner.
Cabin Sleepover at the KOA
The West Glacier KOA is such an amazing spot for families! They have a convenience store, a restaurant, pool, hot tub, playground, climbing wall, basketball court, and do daily interpretive programs. We moms could see what a great place this would be to bring kids.
Our cabin was awesome with AC and electricity and it was a close walk to the bathrooms (a plus for pregger’s). We had a hard time finding a place for dinner because West Glacier has limited restaurants. We finally found a Mexican place and I ate enough for three people.
After dinner, we relaxed in the hot tub and chatted with a couple who have been coming to West Glacier from Arizona every year for something like 20 years.
We capped off the night playing cards and the other ladies enjoyed drinks.
Did I relish a full night of uninterrupted sleep? You better believe I did! It was fantastic!
We had breakfast at the campground cafe which again, was so convenient and nice to have!
Being moms, we didn’t dilly dally too long, we headed home to our families. I’m hoping to organize another similar overnighter next summer. We moms need these weekends away!
Nothing better than a moms weekend away at Glacier National Park!!
If you could plan your own mom’s getaway, where would you go?
