Along the northern shore of Lake McDonald, the alpine grassland gives way to an abrupt transition to the Howe Ridge Mountains. This section of the Rocky Mountains was once a low lying plain. About 75 million years ago massive movement of the Lewis Overthrust Fault propelled the huge bed of rock skyward. These large scale mountains uplifted and slid eastward and stopped here at Glacier National Park.
In 1995 the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park was designated as a World Heritage Site. This great natural treasure is home to one of the few places in North America with a native grizzly bear population. Wolves have returned to the park. Cougars are also part of the 70 different mammals species found in the area. Many rare plants and animals call the International Peace Park home, spurring on hope of their survival.