Visit Glacier National Park in Winter Life of Discovery !

Photo: Visuals Unlimited/Corbis

Tucked in the northwestern region of Montana is Glacier National Park, a hiker’s paradise amidst the Rocky Mountains with over 700 miles of trails to choose from. During the warmer months of the year, this alpine member of the National Park Service is frequented by nature lovers, who come to admire the lakes, meadows, and above all, the mountains — but during the winter is when the things can get really engaging, with the smaller crowds and a blanket of white everywhere. Like at Yellowstone, some people believe that Glacier National Park is actually better during the winter, for there are sights and activities one can do that you can’t during spring or summer:
1. A Winter Wonderland

Photo: Heath Korvola/Getty Images

First, it’s obvious, during winter, there is snow everywhere! Sure there is snow in the upper elevations during the warmer months, but in the winter season (late October through April), snow covers the trees and meadows, making it unlike any other time of the year.
2. Snowshoes and Cross-Country Skis

Photo: Jean Tabbert, glaciernps on Flickr via CCBY2.0

With snow comes snowy activities in Glacier National Park. While snowmobiling is prohibited, that doesn’t mean you can’t get out there and be mobile in the snow. Cross-country skiers have several trails to choose from, with varied scenery and difficulty. Snowshoeing is also popular, with guided tours available.
3. Animal Tracks

Photo: David Restivo, glaciernps on Flickr via CC BY 2.0

People aren’t the only ones making tracks in the snow. After all, Glacier National Park is home to 60 species of mammals, including the grizzly bear — it boasts one of the largest populations of them — the gray wolf, elk, lynx, wolverine, cougar, mountain goat and bighorn sheep. The advantage to snow prints is that you can be clued into an animals whereabouts — so you can view (or avoid) them accordingly.
4. Mountain Climbing

Photo: Lowell Georgia/CORBIS

Mountain climbing is in fact permitted during the winter months, to anyone who is skilled enough to face the challenge of hypothermia. But if you’re the adventurous type — and have enough layers to bundle up — you can register with a park ranger to climb. Just heed all advice and warnings they give you; avalanche chances increase as upper layers of snow ice over.
5. Frozen Lakes

Photo: Richard Hamilton Smith/CORBIS

Winter wonderlands aren’t just about the land; there’s water too. Visiting Glacier National Park during the winter affords you glimpses of completely frozen over lakes, like St. Mary’s Lake, the park’s second largest

The Lion King !

Lions once lived in southern Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia. Today, however, they are confined mainly to the game reserves of Africa. A few live in the Gir Forest of India. This Indian subspecies is highly endangered: a single disease outbreak could wipe them all out.

An adult male lion can be 3.4 m (11 ft.) long including the tail, and weigh as much as 250 kg (550 lb.). The female is about 15 to 20% smaller, and lacks the male's heavy mane.

Most lions, except non-breeding males, live in groups known as prides, which usually include 6 to 30 members. One or two mature males, or occasionally more, will reside with each pride.

Typically, lions spend 20 to 21 hours per day resting. The remaining time is spent interacting socially (playing, nursing, mating, loafing, etcetera) and hunting.

Lions prey mostly on hoofed animals, although they occasionally consume fallen fruit and carrion. They hunt co-operatively and, while the females are better hunters and do most of the work bringing down the prey, the males eat first, followed by the females, and then the cubs. The initial charge of a hunting lion only lasts about 50 to 100 m (164 to 328 ft.). If the intended prey is quick enough to keep ahead of the predator for that distance, the lion will usually abandon the attempt.