By Christa Heffern
It all started in 2021 when I visited Glacier National Park with my sister for a much needed trip to the mountains. I had no idea how important that trip would be or how much it would change me. Something would spark inside me that would alter the course of my life forever. Who knew this trip would inspire me to travel the world and eventually return to the place my love for adventure ignited – Glacier National Park?
Jump to 2025; I returned to this magical place but this time I had months to explore. While I was spending hours memorizing the map, long multi-day routes kept jumping out at me. Completing a three-day backpacking trip quickly moved to the top of my summer bucket list. I had completed difficult backpacking trips in Colorado and New Zealand, which gave me experience and knowledge, but these would be longer and more remote than anything I had done before.
Growing up among the small bluffs and cornfields of Iowa, I was not used to living in the mountains. Seeing the Garden Wall and the dramatic landscapes of the mountains here really change your perspective. You suddenly seem small compared to the sheer size and beauty of the mountains surrounding you as you meander the curves of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Problems seem to melt away as you find yourself at the base of sleeping giants.
(left to right) Mt. Oberlin, Mt. Cannon, and Heavens peak along Going-to-the-Sun Road.
The Garden Wall with Going-to-the-Sun Road.
The special thing about working for the Conservancy, and living with your coworkers, is that you have so many amazing built-in friends. Whenever you want to go for a hike, there will likely be somebody who would love to join you, no matter how crazy your plan is. The best trips are planned in the living room or on the long drive up to Logan Pass. Each person shares the same values, and it’s refreshing to be surrounded by so many people who love public lands, and want to preserve the natural beauty of the Earth.
As I pitched my plans for backpacking trips, a few friends expressed interest. They had never been backpacking before, and I felt honored to bring them out into the backcountry for the first time and share these experiences that mean so much to me. The journey was challenging; it tested our abilities, but it made us stronger than we ever were before. A few times throughout our trips, I truly didn’t think we would make it, but if I have learned anything this summer it’s that I can do anything I put my mind to. Once you commit to a hike, you’d be surprised where your legs can take you.
Christa with friends at the top of Gunsight Pass.
My 3-day hike took me on a 40-mile journey across the border into Canada. Many parts of the hike tested us, but we persevered and I could not be more proud. Rain and clouds plagued us as we hiked over the mountain pass, making it impossible to see anything, and hard to justify our 13-mile-long days. But, walking into Waterton and the feeling of accomplishment that comes with that, made everything worth it.
Waterton village and Upper Waterton Lake with Goat Haunt in the US at the other end of the lake.
Mokawanis Lake with Mt. Cleveland (the highest peak in the park) in the background.
Being able to walk into Canada, just as if we were walking to another place in the park, made this trip extra special. Glacier National Park’s relationship with Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada is an amazing part of what makes Glacier unique. Seeing the two work together just shows that anything is possible and nature truly knows no boundaries.
The 49th parallel border between the US and Canada.
Christa standing in the middle of the border!
I am forever impressed with the strength of my coworkers here. Everyone has done amazing things this summer and really made their time here unique to them. Some explored their passion for camping alone, some climbed to new heights previously unknown to them, and some discovered a love for sleeping in the backcountry. Nobody had the same summer, but each person learned something new about themselves right when they needed it. That’s what is amazing about Glacier, it shows you new perspectives and teaches you that you are capable of much more than you think – if you only put yourself in a position to listen.
Everything I did between my short visit in 2021 and living here this summer, was all because of my initial visit to Glacier. I went to new heights in New Zealand and hiked many peaks; but they say that you always return home, and for me Glacier has become a new home that I was destined to return to.
