We arrived at West Glacier Montana on 22 June 2023 and we've loved every second of our time here! We stayed at Moose Creek RV Resort and Bed & Breakfast. Every evening at 7pm, the campground provides the wood and starts the community campfire. We've gone a few times when we've been available and met very nice people from all over. We will actually see a couple of the couples we met here next April, when we're in Mena Arkansas to see the Solar Eclipse and our good friends Carl and Michele. One of the couples, Roger and Sharon, live near Mena and the other couple, Jim and Dawn, live in Minnesota but will be traveling back from wintering in Florida in April. They had not been able to find a campground with openings, so we gave them the name of the place we're staying and they got in! It's fun making new acquaintances and planning to see each other again to compare travel notes.
At this point in our retirement adventure, we've seen many beautiful spots and have thought a couple of times that we won't see anything prettier. Then we saw Glacier National Park. From the first day of driving through the park and scoping out hikes, we have been awe-stricken with the postcard views. We've seen quite a bit of wildlife here; dare I say the most of any national park yet. I have looked up the Internet description of the hikes we did because they give the names of mountains and lakes we saw. We stop to take pictures and breath in the clean air, but in the future we'll probably look back and be happy to see names. On our first day in Glacier National Park, we drove into West Glacier near McDonald Lodge on Camus Road to North Fork Road to find the Rocky Point trailhead. We were walking on North Fork Road and talking, when we suddenly noticed a black bear had entered the road from the campground! He walked away from us and we turned around and went back to get our truck. Our trailhead wasn't on that road anyway, but we warned a couple of other hikers that we'd seen the bear and they had too! They'd had to make noise to shoo it away.
Black Bear on North Fork Rd Glacier National Park 23 June 2023
We finally found our trailhead for the Rocky Point hike, classified as "less challenging" and 1.8 miles round trip. Below are the pictures from that hike.
Fish Creek near Lake MacDonald as seen on our drive through the park
Flower seen on Rocky Point hike 23 June 2023
Overlook before our Rocky Point hike 23 June 2023
Flower seen on Rocky Point hike 23 June 2023
On 24 June, we drove the Going To The Sun road about 5.5 miles past the Lake McDonald Lodge to do the Avalanche Lake hike. The Going To The Sun road is very narrow and windy and a constant climb. Steve was driving and did a great job. The views from Going To The Sun road are indescribable! We just couldn't believe our eyes.
Cascade Falls on Going To The Sun Road drive in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Going To The Sun Road drive in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Going To The Sun Road drive in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Going To The Sun Road drive in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Going To The Sun Road drive in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Going To The Sun Road drive in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Going To The Sun Road drive in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Going To The Sun Road drive in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Going To The Sun Road drive in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Dancing Cascades on Going To The Sun Road drive in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Going To The Sun Road drive in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
When we got to the Avalanche Lake trailhead, we had no idea what a beautiful hike we had in front of us. To add to the excitement of that day, we saw two grizzly bears! We were sitting on a log talking with other hikers before heading back down the trail and we heard a whistle and people shouting. We all looked across the lake and saw hikers at the water's edge with bear spray aimed and shouting. Two grizzlies were at the edge of the woods facing them and about 50 yards away. They got the hint from the noise that they didn't want to go toward those people. They made their way to the farther side of the lake and the hikers made their way away from the grizzlies. They didn't have to use their bear spray, but we were glad we had some too! We had bought some after seeing the black bear on our first day hiking. Below are the pictures from the Avalanche Lake hike, which is classified as "challenging" and 4.6 miles round trip.
Stellar Jay posed for us on Avalanche Lake hike in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Skinny Mule Deer seen on Avalanche Lake hike in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Avalanche Lake hike in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Avalanche Lake hike in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Avalanche Lake hike in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Avalanche Lake hike in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Avalanche Lake hike in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Avalanche Lake hike in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Avalanche Lake hike in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Avalanche Lake hike in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Avalanche Lake hike in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Avalanche Lake hike in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Two Grizzlies walking on beaver dam at Avalanche Lake hike in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Avalanche Lake hike in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Avalanche Lake hike in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
Bear paw print along Avalanche Lake trail hike in Glacier National Park 24 June 2023
On Sunday the 25th we attended mass at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls Montana, and then took a drive around scenic West Glacier Montana.
St. Richard's Catholic Church Columbia Falls Montana 25 June 2023
Scenic Drive West Glacier Montana 25 June 2023
These tall skinny trees look like toothpicks to Anita Wildfire 2017 (Especially the downed ones)
Scenic Drive West Glacier Montana 25 June 2023
Scenic Drive West Glacier Montana 25 June 2023
Scenic Drive West Glacier Montana 25 June 2023
Scenic Drive West Glacier Montana 25 June 2023
Scenic Drive West Glacier Montana 25 June 2023
Scenic Drive West Glacier Montana 25 June 2023
Scenic Drive West Glacier Montana 25 June 2023
Scenic Drive West Glacier Montana 25 June 2023
Scenic Drive West Glacier Montana 25 June 2023
Mother and Kid Mountain Goats at Goat Lick Overlook West Glacier Montana 25 June 2023
Waterfall between Mile Markers 188 and 189 on Hwy 2 West Glacier Montana 25 June 2023
Waterfall between Mile Markers 188 and 189 on Hwy 2 West Glacier Montana 25 June 2023
On 27 June 2023, we drove the Going To The Sun Road again to Logan Pass this time, to do the Hidden Lake hike and part of the Highline Trail. Both of these trails were just beautiful and while we took many pictures, they didn't capture the depth of what we saw and felt with these hikes. I copied the Internet's description of the hikes to give more detail for us to look back on.
The Internet's description of Hidden Lake trail is: The entire length of this trail is completely open and exposed as you proceed through the alpine meadows known as the Hanging Gardens. At this lofty elevation visitors should normally expect a lot of sun and wind. You should also expect extreme crowds, as the Hidden Lake Overlook area is one of the most popular destinations in Glacier National Park. As a result, parking is usually an issue during peak tourist season. If you wish to avoid the crowds I highly recommend starting your hike as early in the morning as possible.
The trail begins as a paved surface, but soon turns into a raised boardwalk after only a short distance. At this elevation snow tends to linger in this area well into the summer. The boardwalk helps to keep hikers above the snow, slush, mud and rivulets. Once the snow melts, however, the Hanging Gardens becomes an incredibly beautiful carpet of wildflowers.
As you proceed upwards during the early portions of the hike, 8760-foot Clements Mountain will dominate the view directly in front of you. Look towards the north, on your right, for some outstanding views of the Garden Wall. Standing towards the northwest is 8180-foot Mt. Oberlin.
A little more than a half-mile from the visitor center, after climbing a series of steps, hikers will reach the end of the first boardwalk section. From here the trail shifts to a more southwesterly course, and begins heading in the direction of Bearhat Mountain. Both 9125-foot Mt. Reynolds and 8016-foot Heavy Runner Mountain will be on your left as you ascend to the top of the pass.
Even relatively late into the season it's likely you'll have to cross over a couple of small snowfields as you proceed up to the pass and over to Hidden Lake Overlook.
At just over a mile from the trailhead hikers will reach a small rise, then will pass a couple of small ponds on your left. Between these two ponds is an unmarked trail that leads to the Dragon's Trail, which also offers spectacular views of Hidden Lake. Just beyond this section, roughly 1.2 miles from the trailhead, hikers will reach the Continental Divide where runoff from snow and rain begins flowing towards the Pacific Ocean.
At 1.35 miles hikers will arrive at the Hidden Lake Overlook where you'll enjoy outstanding panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. From this vantage point 8684-foot Bearhat Mountain is the dominating feature above Hidden Lake. Looking directly towards the west is 8952-foot Mount Cannon. Towards the south is 8750-foot Fusillade Mountain, and towards the southwest you'll be able to see Gunsight Mountain and Sperry Glacier in the far off distance.
Hidden Lake is a popular destination for anglers. Perhaps the most famous fisherman to ever visit the lake was George H. W. Bush. In 1983 the then Vice President hiked to the shores of Hidden Lake to fish for trout for several hours.
As mentioned above, we took lots of pictures along this hike and those are below. We saw big horn sheep right in the parking lot! We had arrived early in the day, and apparently they are known to be there most mornings and late evenings. We heard from a boat tour guide that it snows so much in the winters in Montana, that the big horn sheep walk on the roof of the chalet! One winter one of the sheep fell through the sky light. 20-30 feet of snow is no joke! Below are our pictures:
Behind Logan Pass 27 June 2023
Behind Logan Pass 27 June 2023
Bearhat Mountain at Hidden Lake hike 27 June 2023
Mountain Goat at top right mountain on Hidden Lake hike 27 June 2023
Bighorn Sheep at Hidden Lake hike 27 June 2023
Bighorn Sheep at Hidden Lake hike 27 June 2023
Hidden Lake hike 27 June 2023
Hidden Lake hike 27 June 2023 (Anita did sit in the snow for a second!)
Bighorn Sheep at Hidden Lake hike 27 June 2023
Bighorn Sheep at Hidden Lake hike 27 June 2023
Hidden Lake hike 27 June 2023
Hidden Lake hike 27 June 2023
Hidden Lake hike 27 June 2023
Hidden Lake hike 27 June 2023
Hidden Lake hike 27 June 2023
Hidden Lake hike 27 June 2023
Hidden Lake hike 27 June 2023
Hidden Lake hike 27 June 2023
Hidden Lake hike 27 June 2023
Parking lot of Logan Pass 27 June 2023
Here is the Internet's description of the Highline Trail: The Highline Loop in Glacier National Park begins from the north side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road at Logan Pass. Although this hike includes the word "Loop" in its name, this is actually a one-way hike. The "Loop" refers to a bend in the road on the west side of the park where this hike ends. The best way to do this hike is to park at The Loop, located 13.1 miles east of the McDonald Lodge on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and then take the free shuttle up to Logan Pass.
The Highline Trail is an extremely popular hike; and for good reason. At every step, and every turn, hikers will enjoy spectacular scenery as the Highline follows along the Continental Divide, also known as the Garden Wall throughout this section of Glacier National Park. The exceptionally beautiful views, the excellent opportunities for spotting wildlife, and the wildflowers, all combine to make this a hike you'll remember the rest of your life. If you're looking for solitude, however, you won't find it on this trail.
At roughly one-quarter of a mile from the trailhead, hikers will arrive at the famous ledge with the reputation for terrifying those with a fear of heights. In most places the ledge, hanging like a shelf along the Garden Wall, is only six to eight feet in width, and has drop-offs of roughly one hundred feet or more down to the Going to the Sun Road below. This segment lass for only three-tenths of a mile, but may seem forever if you have a fear of height. Fortunately Glacier National Park has installed a hand cable along this stretch of the trail. My advice is to not let this deter you, as this is one of the most scenic hikes in America.
From the rimrock area, the trail continues to hug the cliffs and slopes of the Garden Wall and does so for most of its length to Granite Park. Throughout the early portions of the hike Mt. Cannon, Mt. Oberlin and Heavens Peak will dominate the views towards the west.
We did a little over a mile of this trail after we had done the Hidden Lake trail earlier in the day. Below are our pictures from the portion of the Highline Trail we did.
Logan Pass Glacier National Park 27 June 2023
Logan Pass Glacier National Park 27 June 2023
Highline Trail from Logan Pass Glacier National Park 27 June 2023
Highline Trail from Logan Pass Glacier National Park 27 June 2023
Bishops Hat from Highline Trail from Logan Pass Glacier National Park 27 June 2023
Garden Wall at Highline Trail from Logan Pass Glacier National Park 27 June 2023
Highline Trail from Logan Pass Glacier National Park 27 June 2023
Thimble Berry at Highline Trail from Logan Pass Glacier National Park 27 June 2023
Highline Trail from Logan Pass Glacier National Park 27 June 2023
Highline Trail from Logan Pass Glacier National Park 27 June 2023
Highline Trail from Logan Pass Glacier National Park 27 June 2023
Highline Trail from Logan Pass Glacier National Park 27 June 2023
Highline Trail from Logan Pass Glacier National Park 27 June 2023
Highline Trail from Logan Pass Glacier National Park 27 June 2023
We stopped to see Jackson Glacier on our way home 27 June 2023
We stopped to see Jackson Glacier on our way home 27 June 2023
On June 29th, we drove to Two Medicine thru the East Entrance to Glacier National Park. From Two Medicine, we did the Aster Falls and Running Eagle Falls hikes. Aster Falls is 2.6 miles round trip and Running Eagle Falls is .6 miles round trip. Both are categorized as "less challenging". We enjoyed both hikes. The Internet description of the Aster Falls hike is as follows: The hike to Aster Falls in Glacier National Park begins from the South Shore Trailhead at Two Medicine Lake. Just going to the trailhead is a worthwhile experience. The sublime view from the eastern shore of the lake, with Painted Tepee Peak, Sinopah Mountain, Lone Walker Mountain and Mt. Helen forming a picture perfect backdrop, is one of the most beautiful scenes in all of Glacier.
At just over a quarter-of-a-mile from the trailhead you'll reach the short side trail to Paradise Point, a small beach area that offers commanding views of Two Medicine Lake and Rising Wolf Mountain. The area around the lake is also a fairly good place for spotting moose. (Anita & Steve did not see moose.)
Roughly one-half mile from the trailhead hikers will arrive at the first in a series of small beaver ponds. This area, over the next quarter-mile or so, is prime habitat for moose, which are frequently seen foraging in and around the ponds, especially in the mornings and late afternoons. Throughout this section the trail travels through a montane forest of lodgepole pine, spruce and Douglass fir, with several small and large meadows interspersed along the route.
At 1.1 miles hikers will cross over Aster Creek, and in a short distance will reach the Aster Park Trail, which leads to Aster Falls and Aster Park Overlook. In less than a tenth-of-a-mile, after turning left onto the Aster Park Trail, hikers will reach a short side trail that leads down to the base of Aster Falls, a 20-foot waterfall that cascades down a rock face in a succession of three drops.
Below are our pictures from the Aster Falls Hike.
Thimble Berry at Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Two Meadows Lake at Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Paintbrush at Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Asters at Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Trillium lily (white) and Beardtongue at Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
Butterfly on Wild Strawberry at Aster Falls Hike East Glacier 29 June 2023
The Internet description of Running Eagle Waterfall goes: The trailhead for Running Eagle Falls in Glacier National Park is located 1.1 miles west of the Two Medicine entrance station.
Running Eagle Falls, also known as "Trick Falls," flows off the outlet stream between Two Medicine Lake and Lower Two Medicine Lake.
The waterfall receives its nickname, "Trick Falls", because there are actually two separate waterfalls at this location. During the spring run-off, water rushes over the top ledge, creating a 40-foot drop, while completely or partially obscuring the lower falls. However, as the volume of water decreases by late summer, and the upper falls "dries up," water continues to rush through a sink hole at the top of the cliff before flowing out of an opening in the cliff face below, thus creating the lower 20-foot falls.
Towering prominently above the falls is 9513-foot Rising Wolf Mountain, which is named after the first white man to live with the Blackfeet Indians. Hugh Monroe, who was married to Sinopah, received his Indian name as a result of his habit of getting out of bed in the morning on his hands and knees, thus resembling a wolf. Rising Wolf Mountain also has the distinction of being the highest mountain in the Two Medicine area.
The waterfall is named for Pitamakan, or Running Eagle, a female warrior leader of the Blackfeet Nation in the early 1700s, who experienced a four-day vision quest in the mountains high above the falls. Running Eagle led war parties on many highly successful raids, and was the only woman in the Blackfeet tribe ever to do so, or to be given a man's name.
Below are our pictures of the Running Eagle Trick Falls:
Running Eagle AKA Trick Falls 29 June 2023
Running Eagle AKA Trick Falls 29 June 2023
Running Eagle AKA Trick Falls 29 June 2023
Go Girl!
Running Eagle AKA Trick Falls 29 June 2023
Drive through East Glacier 29 June 2023
Red Fox seen on our scenic drive in East Glacier 29 June 2023
Drive through East Glacier 29 June 2023
Drive through East Glacier 29 June 2023
Glacier lily on Drive through East Glacier 29 June 2023
Bear grass at Drive through East Glacier 29 June 2023
On 2 July 2023, we had a reservation for the boat ride from Many Glacier Hotel to the Grinnell Glacier hiking trail. It was actually two boat rides, with the first being across Swift Current Lake to the bank between it and Lake Josephine. We had a short (quarter mile) hike to the next boat dock, which took us across Lake Josephine to the trail head for Grinnell Glacier. The trail to the actual glacier was closed for safety reasons, so we only got to hike to the Grinnell Lake overlook. We ate our packed lunch there and actually saw a huge blonde grizzly bear in the valley below. We were so close to the trail closure sign, that we went to it and saw people crossing over the sign and walking on the ice and snow. A kid fell into the water below the waterfall. Below are our pictures from that hike:
View from the boat 2 July 2023
First of two boats taken on Swift Current Lake for the Grinnell Glacier Hike 2 July 2023
Lake Josephine 2 July 2023
Many Glacier Hotel 2 July 2023
Grinnell Glacier Hike 2 July 2023
Many Glacier Hotel 2 July 2023
Grinnell Lake 2 July 2023
Gem Glacier left and Salamander Glacier right on Grinnell Glacier Hike 2 July 2023
Many Glacier Hotel 2 July 2023
Grinnell Glacier Hike 2 July 2023
Salamander Glacier top and Grinnell Glacier bottom at Grinnell Glacier Hike 2 July 2023
Grinnell Glacier Hike 2 July 2023
Grinnell Glacier Hike 2 July 2023
Grinnell Glacier Hike 2 July 2023
Salamander Glacier seen while on Grinnell Glacier Hike 2 July 2023
Salamander Glacier seen while on Grinnell Glacier Hike 2 July 2023
Trail closed and hikers who have gone past the sign
Grinnell Glacier Hike 2 July 2023
Grinnell Glacier Hike 2 July 2023
Grinnell Glacier Hike 2 July 2023
Grinnell Glacier Hike 2 July 2023
Many Glacier Hotel 2 July 2023
Inside Many Glacier Hotel 2 July 2023
Inside Many Glacier Hotel 2 July 2023
Bear Grass seen on Grinnell Glacier Hike 2 July 2023
Grinnell Glacier Waterfall 2 July 2023
Grinnell Glacier Waterfall 2 July 2023
Grinnell Glacier Waterfall 2 July 2023
On America's Independence Day, we drove in to Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta Canada. We were running out of time here in West Glacier Montana to get there while it was about 130 miles of a drive. We really enjoyed our day driving around and we even did a short hike to see Cameron Falls on the Red Rock loop in the town of Waterton. When we got to Waterton that morning, we stopped to see the Prince of Wales Hotel, which is prominent on a hilltop as you enter the city. Pictures from our day in Alberta Canada (Waterton) are below. We had no issues re-entering the United States.
4 July 2023
Coyote we saw right after crossing the border into Canada 4 July 2023
Prince of Wales Hotel Waterton Alberta Canada 4 July 2023
Inside Prince of Wales Hotel 4 July 3023
Inside Prince of Wales Hotel 4 July 3023
View from the back patio of Prince of Wales Hotel 4 July 2023
Waterton Alberta Canada 4 July 2023
Mule Deer at Waterton Alberta Canada 4 July 2023
Waterton Alberta Canada 4 July 2023
Big horn Sheep at Waterton Alberta Canada 4 July 2023
Waterton Alberta Canada 4 July 2023
Cameron Falls 4 July 2023
American Dipper birds at Cameron Falls 4 July 2023
Blakiston Falls from the Red Rock Canyon 4 July 2023
Red Rock Canyon from the Red Rock Parkway 4 July 2023
Blakiston Falls 4 July 2023
Waterton Alberta Canada 4 July 2023
Waterfall in town of Waterton Alberta Canada 4 July 2023
A Canadian lady in Waterton talked Steve into buying this before we left the ice cream shop
We made it back in plenty time to see fireworks, but they were cancelled due to weather
Tomorrow (6 July 2023) we're heading to Great Falls Montana for the better part of a month. There we plan to see a Lewis & Clark museum, waterfalls, a rodeo, a baseball game and whatever else we find along the way to see.
8 months and 18 states so far!
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