Audio
Going-to-the-Sun Road: Sun Point
Transcript
[Narration] This site high above the lake was once the location of the Going-to-the-Sun Chalets. Built in 1915 by the Great Northern Railway as part of a network of hotels, chalets and tent camps. The chalets sat high above the lake on the rocky promontory called Sun Point. Constructed in the Swiss chalet style the beautiful rock and log buildings could accommodate up to 200 visitors a night. In the days before the construction of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, transportation in the park was an adventure. Visitors arrived at the Going-to-the Sun Chalets by boat or horse. In fact the majority of the visitors to the network of hotels and chalets operated by the Great Northern rode horses and these chalets served as a hub for horseback travel over Piegan Pass to get to Many Glacier or over Gunsight Pass to the Lake McDonald Valley. The chalets were closed during world war II and sadly never reopened again. During the war the buildings fell into disrepair and were finally roused in 1949 due to their dilapidated condition. You can still visit the site of the chalets with just a short walk from the parking area. As you stand at the old location imagine sitting on the balcony of this spectacular hotel overlooking the amazing vista, sharing tales of the days trail ride with new friends as you rest up for a hearty dinner in the dining room.
Today the Sun Point Nature Trail starts here and offers outstanding views of St. Mary Lake, the stunning mountains of St. Mary Valley and into the high-country towards Logan Pass. The trail winds through forested meadows to Bering Falls where the water cascades across a sheer cliff into a natural basin carved in the rock. Hikers can also connect this trail with the St. Mary Falls Trail, the trail to Virginia Falls or the Sun Rift Gorge Trail, ending their hike at either the St. Mary Falls Trailhead Shuttle Stop or the Sunrift Gorge Shuttle Stop.
Vehicles longer than 21 feet and wider than 8 feet are prohibited on the Going-to-the-Sun Road beyond Sun Point. Oversized vehicle parking is available at Sun Point and drivers can connect to the shuttle system at this shuttle stop. In addition a picnic area is located here.
Description
Learn about the impressive chalet complex that once existed at this point. NOTE: Due to construction, Sun Point is currently closed to vehicles (including park shuttles)
Duration
2 minutes, 23 seconds
Credit
Glacier National Park
Date Created
08/04/2015
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