Cold, Blue St. Mary Lake Holds Body - Glacier National Park, MT
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member T0SHEA
N 48° 41.454 W 113° 31.477
12U E 314211 N 5396171
The first of many mountain glacial lakes one will encounter on entering Glacier National Park from the east gate is St. Mary Lake, the second largest of the park's lakes, after Lake McDonald.
Waymark Code: WM17HJQ
Location: Montana, United States
Date Posted: 02/23/2023
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Alfouine
Views: 1
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While there are actually, two St. Mary Lakes, the second, Lower St. Mary Lake, is outside the northern edge of Glacier National Park and receives much less attention from the tourist crowd. The two are joined by the 1.78 km (1.10 mi) (as the crow flies; it's actually longer as it meanders, as rivers are wont to do) long St. Mary River, a tributary of the South Saskatchewan River. The Saint Mary together with the Belly River and Waterton River drains a small portion of Montana, in the United States, to the Hudson Bay watershed in Canada.

Known for its boating, fishing and water-skiing opportunities, St. Mary Lake is just inside Glacier National Park’s east entrance. Going-To-The-Sun Road follows its northern shore for most of its length.

Near the mid point of the lake at the eastern end of The Narrows, on the north side, one may embark on a boat tour around the lake, provided by the Glacier Park Tour Company. It was quite likely from there that the unlucky protagonist of the following new article launched his boat, only to meet his fate in the middle of the lake.
Cold, Blue St. Mary Lake Holds Body
August 04, 1950
Glacier national park's 292 foot deep cold, blue, St. Mary lake holds the body of Frank Denny 62, Cut Bank, who drowned last Thursday.

The sudden windstorm upset the boat occupied by Mr. Denny and F. W. Mueller, about 65, also of Cut Bank. Both men were wearing life preservers, but these either became waterlogged or were not sufficiently buoyant to support their weight.

The upset took place just east of the lake narrows, and visitors informed park officials. Ranger Bill Browning and Fire guard Harry Sievers rescued Mr. Mueller, and he was taken to East Glacier camp where Mrs. Horrigan and her crew helped bring him to.

Mr. Mueller was clinging to the boat while Mr. Denny was out of sight, apparently going down in 150 feet of water.

Dragging operations followed over the weekend with District Ranger Don Barnum and Ranger Hugh Buchanan in charge.

The park keeps a rescue boat on a trailer at St. Mary ranger station.

It is understood that Mr. Mueller is in serious condition from the exposure.

St. Mary's cold water and extreme depth may hold Mr. Denny's body indefinitely. He was owner of the State Theatre, Cut Bank.

Glacier's other fatal accident of 1950 was July 12 when Robert Stokes, 18, Tulsa, Okla., slipped to his death while attempting to climb Mt. Wilbur.
From the Hungry Horse News
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Type of publication: Newspaper

When was the article reported?: 08/04/1950

Publication: Hungry Horse News

Article Url: [Web Link]

Is Registration Required?: no

How widespread was the article reported?: regional

News Category: Society/People
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petendot visited Cold, Blue St. Mary Lake Holds Body - Glacier National Park, MT 06/04/2023 petendot visited it