After a day of winding through Glacier National Park’s jaw-dropping landscapes, I had one final goal to check off before checking into Under Canvas – Glacier. The tip-off came the night before, courtesy of my server at Big Mountain Ciderworks, who all but insisted I detour to Polebridge. Polebridge – a small community inside the park – held the one thing he strongly insisted that I get: the famous huckleberry bear claws at Polebridge Mercantile & Bakery.
When a local suggests something so strongly, I tend to get curious to know more. I turned off the Going-to-the-Sun Road and started my drive north. Forty miles of dust, gravel, and avoiding getting a rock in my windshield later, and I rolled into Polebridge, ready to see if a pastry could live up to this much hype.
Parking and entering Polebridge Mercantile, all I could say was “awwwww”. It was an adorable and well stocked community store that knew how to cater to tourists.
But, I was there for one thing and one thing only: bear claws.
The selection was visually beautiful. I quickly selected a Jalapeño Mango Salsa Rollie and the Huckleberry Bear Claw.
When I asked if they had wireless internet, I was told that yes – but it would be a $4.50 charge to use. I figured that I would pick up cell service soon enough again and politely declined.
Did the bear claw live up to the hype?
Yes.
But the real win was the conversation that nudged me off the beaten path and into a corner of Glacier National Park I probably wouldn’t have discovered on my own.
That’s the beauty of travel – those unexpected detours born out of a simple exchange that lead you somewhere new, somewhere memorable. It’s in those small moments that the adventure feels bigger, and the magic of the journey comes alive.
Polebridge Mercantile & Bakery
265 Polebridge LoopPolebridge, Montana 59928
