As I left Idaho (as mentioned here) I was ready to see what would happen on the next leg of my journey. Glacier was a park that I’d not read-up or got much familiarity to ahead of time. The only thing I’d heard mention of was “Going to the Sun Road”. Other than that, I was going in completely blind, and I’d have had it no other way. With five days to fill, I threw myself into the park in a way you can’t when rushed. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Apgar
Leaving Idaho
As I drove out of Salmon, I couldn’t take my eyes off of the scenery along the whole road. It engaged me in a way that only drives along long and winding country roads can. The best part for me was when I reached the Flathead Native American reservation.
As I left Missoula, I crested the hill and was met by a view you have to see to believe. Mountains stretched as far as you can see, with grasslands at their feet and lakes further out begging to be explored. As I drove, I was given the chance to park, and I took it to both stretch and breath.
I climbed on top of one of the park benches in the picnic area I was in to get a higher view and just took in what I saw lying ahead of me. A pair of ravens flew to my right gliding along the same winds that were shaking the grass below them. Thick white clouds flew through a sea of blue above me. Strong and silent rock towered above it all, looking down upon us from craggy peaks and snow-capped spires.
Nothing around me spoke or asked anything of me. The world wanted to be witnessed.
Then a truck drove by – I remembered I had a destination to reach, and I hit the road again.
After my stop, there wasn’t much more to report from the drive. The beauty never faltered once I’d hit the reservation. Once I reached my lodging for the night and had set-up all my belongings, I hit the road and drove to Lake McDonald. This was where I’d be witnessing the first sunset in a national park from this trip.
Apgar Sunsets
Once I got to Glacier and situated at Apgar Village, I had time to kill. I went over to the lake viewpoint and explored with my X-T4. I walked from the middle of the shore where you enter over to the far left, by the end of the Apgar Village inn.
The light of the setting sun was beginning to turn that lovely golden hue that afternoon light gets in Autumn. Matching only the turning leaves in its brilliance and warmth. It provided a stark contrast against the ever growing cool and shadow that was demanded of the scene by the continual sinking of the sun.
After grabbing a bite at Eddies (I got the bison burger which ruled), I went back to the lake. However, this time I went far in the opposite direction. I wanted to escape the crowds, so I walked as far as I could go without going onto the private shore that the condo-complex owners declared theirs.
From here, I took out my book (Dune) and began to wait. It was surprisingly quiet where I settled given how busy it had been at the other end of the shoreline.
It was a lovely evening, and the light was nice to shoot. Though if I’m being self-critical, I think I could have done better had I done a better job of searching for the perfect composition ahead of time. Many of the shots are good but not great. You can find the ones I consider great below. I hope you enjoy. 
After taking this shot of the leaf in the foreground of this scene, I shot the most vibrant cloud display that we’d get that night, and from here I began walking back towards the middle of the lake. 
I remember most of the other photographers had already left at this point. They’d been talking about their photography workflow. One of the women was telling another how she “does all her work in Camera, barely using photoshop”.
As they all left a real peace set in upon the park and the shoreline. The parking lot cleared out minutes after the sun had set and I got to experience the lake with no one else to be mindful of. Fully submerging myself in the area.
As I walked onto the dock, I recall how each plank that I stepped on bent left and right bobbing with the water. Each footstep I took sent a flash of ripples and waves out from the dock. The waves reflecting the light of the setting sun, offering up one final moment of brilliance before the shadow was fully on-top of us.
I reached the end of the dock and had the Crestliner in my sights. Whether or not that I would be able to take a long exposure from the dock due to the movement I’d just been exposed to remaind to be seen. In a place like this though, I figured I had to try. I setup my tripod, stilled myself and with a click the exposure began. 
The results speak for themselves.
After this, I began to head home. I had a big day ahead of me tomorrow. I’d be photographing Logan Pass and hiking the Highline Trail.
Conclusion
Glacier is a park that felt larger than life. I think it makes sense starting on this evening. The next story I have to share is even better, and I hope you’re as excited to read it as I am to write it. To make sure you don’t miss it I’d suggest subscribing to my newsletter, here. Until then, I’ll see you in the next one!