The Arrival
If I had to choose the most incredible sunrise I’ve ever experienced, this mystifying sunrise at Two Medicine Lake in Glacier National Park would be the one. There are several reasons for this. First, I had my wife with me on this adventure. I loved having someone with me to experience the beauty of this morning. Due to having four young kids and early morning departures of 3-4 a.m., I spend a fair bit of time alone chasing unique opportunities for nature photography.
Second, this would begin our first full day at Glacier National Park. When we arrived the day before, the rain was pouring, and solid clouds and fog surrounded the lake. This fog meant I could not see the dramatic peaks I had been dying to see for years. On the other hand, it also made for some prime conditions to photograph the many waterfalls in Glacier and soak up the unique color of the water. We camped for the night, thinking the overcast skies would last for days. Imagine our surprise the following day when we suddenly awakened just before sunrise to a gorgeous morning and cleared skies. It couldn’t have been more perfect.
The Sacred Ground
The third reason why this sunrise is so memorable is hard to describe. It started with a feeling I got as we stepped out of the car that morning and into the dark. I was giddy with anticipation, my wife a little less so, given the temperature of about 34 degrees (this was July). A peaceful, almost reverent feeling took over as we walked toward the shore.
Perhaps that’s why many Native American tribes, including the Blackfeet, consider the Two Medicine area sacred ground. It was where young males nearing adulthood would come for what is known as a vision quest or rite of passage. Generally, the young men of the tribe were taken to a sacred place chosen by the Elders. There they would be left alone to fast for four days and nights, remain awake, and pray to the spirits that they would reveal to them a vision. In this vision, the young man hoped to learn his life purpose and how to serve his community best. I find that history fascinating. I’ve heard it said that there are two great days in life: the day you were born and the day you find out why.
The Sunrise
Reason number four is the extraordinary experience of when sunrise finally came. When we first got to the lake that morning, it was still dark and seemed cloudy. As the sunrise light got closer, I started making out shapes across the lake, realizing that the clouds were only a thick layer of fog. Occasionally, I could see a faint circle of a full moon above the lake and began to see the colors of teal and red rocks that lined the lake on the shore. Then suddenly, the sun burst through the clouds, and the fog parted across the lake to reveal the dramatic Mt. Sinopah at the west end of the lake. Sinopah means “kit fox” in Blackfeet, named after the daughter of the powerful chief Lone Walker.
Truly a fascinating experience, worth every bit of lost sleep to witness a spectacular sunrise in such a special place. If you are ever in a place where a cold front comes through and brings lots of moisture the day before and the forecast for the next day is clear, drag yourself out of bed and find a place to watch the sunrise. It will be worth it.
Planning Your Adventure
Are you planning an adventure to visit Glacier National Park? We loved it there and know you will too! Here are a few resources to help you plan your trip:
- 15 Breathtaking Spots in Glacier National Park to Bask in the Natural Beauty
- 10 Best Things to do in Glacier National Park
- The Best 3 Day Glacier National Park Itinerary for 2023
- 21 Epic Things to do in Glacier National Park (Map Included)
Let me help you bring your adventure home with gorgeous nature wall art from my landscape photography gallery. Keep up to date on my new adventures by joining my email list. View more of my photography from Glacier National Park below and enjoy your next outdoor adventure!
