So much for witnessing the brilliance of autumn in the high country of Glacier National Park for the first time in years.
Regardless of what happens in D.C. this week, access along the west side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road was already scheduled to end Oct. 20, which means the iconic thoroughfare and its scenic surroundings will remain elusive until 2014.
Luckily there’s a suite of outdoor alternatives in the Flathead Valley. Right now is a great time to venture outside and catch the fall foliage before snowfall.
One particular great adventure within eyesight of town is the Danny On Hiking Trail at Whitefish Mountain Resort. This established trail system, named in memory of a U.S. Forest Service silviculturist who died skiing on Big Mountain, winds from Chair 1 to the summit.
There are four different routes on the trail with the longest being 5.6 miles from base to summit.
The most direct route is 3.8 miles.
The Danny On Trail is reserved for hikers. Dogs are permitted on the trail although they must be on a leash.
For more information, visit www.skiwhitefish.com.