July 12 - 15, 2012

The Crown of the Continent
July 12-15, 2012 

This purposeful travel trip will take you on an unhurried journey through Glacier National Park, the Crown of the Continent*.

Click here for a detailed agenda.

We will begin the trip in Whitefish, located in the breathtaking Northern Rocky Mountains, surrounded by dramatic glacier-cut peaks, valleys, and pristine lakes. We will enjoy a relaxing and casual welcome reception and dinner at the Grouse Mountain Lodge.

On Friday morning, the journey beings with a ride on the Red Bus through scenic Glacier National Park. We will stop at the famous Logan's Pass to hike (with a guide) the Highline Trail along the continental divide where you will see all types of wildlife and majestic mountain summits between 8,000 and 9,500 feet. We will enjoy a delicious picnic lunch and then continue on the Red Bus to St. Mary Lake.

Once we arrive at St. Mary Lake, a knowledgeable boat captain will take you on a cruise to discover a spectacular side of the National Parks not visible from the road. They will share with you their love for and knowledge of this incredible place.

We will spend Friday and Saturday nights at St. Mary Lodge, an upscale full-service lodge situated just outside Glacier National Park's east entrance in St. Mary, Montana.

On Saturday, we will explore the cultural history of Montana and the Native American Blackfeet tribe. We will drive a quick 15 minutes to Browning, where we will learn about the Native American Blackfeet tribe from Ee-Nees-Too-Wah-See, a Blackfeet tribal member and noted artist and historian.

Following this discussion, you can select your activity:

• Horseback riding on private land - the purest way to experience Montana's beauty; or
• A one hour helicopter tour over Glacier National Park.
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Then attend the North American Indian Days for a celebration of authentic Blackfeet traditions, including Tipis, powwows, contest dancing, games, sporting events and socializing.

We will close the event with dinner and closing discussion in St. Mary, Montana.

Between the breathtaking views of glacial lakes, rising peaks and broad alpine prairies and the mysteries of the native drums and dancing, this is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
 

Children and grandchildren (14+) and parents of members are invited to attend this remarkable journey, so bring the whole family on this exciting adventure.

*The Crown of the Continent region refers to the rugged peaks, glacier-carved valleys, native prairie, and sparkling waters of the north-south Rocky Mountain Range joining northwest Montana, southwest Alberta, southeast British Columbia, including two World Heritage Sites: the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park straddling the Montana/Alberta border and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump near Fort McLeod, AB.

Registration

Registration Fee: $1300 per person.

You can register one of three ways:

• Contact Lesley Mitchell at (512) 900-4431 or Lmitchell@L3.org to register and book your hotel rooms.
• Complete this form and email to Lmitchell@L3.org.
• Click the register button below right.  If you do this, you will still need to call Lesley to book your hotel rooms.

Payment options:

• 10% deposit at time of registration, refundable until June 12, 2012
• Remaining balance due on June 12, 2012

Hotels

To book your hotel, please contact Lesley Mitchell at (512) 900-4431 or Lmitchell@L3.org.

Thursday Night: Grouse Mountain Lodge

$197/night, with:
$8.00 per person per night Service Fee
1% Tourism promotion assessment fee. On rooms and food
7% State bed tax
2% Whitefish Resort Tax

(makes total night = $212.90)

Friday and Saturday Nights: St. Mary Lodge

$279/night, with: 
$8.00 per person per night Service Fee
13% bed tax per room per night

(makes total night = $323.27, or two nights for $646.54)

Airlines that fly into Glacier Park International Airport, Montana:

Delta/SkyWest – (800) 221-1212
serves the south and central U.S. providing daily service through Salt Lake City via their air link Sky West.

Horizon/Alaska – (800) 547-9308
serves the west coast providing connections through Seattle.

Allegiant Air – (702) 505-8888
service to Las Vegas, NV.

United Express/SkyWest – (800) 864-8331
Serves Denver direct and Chicago.