Day 5 July 18 - Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park Montana

What a day this was packed full of "I just want to feel this moment" moments.  

I got to the Many Glacier Hotel early knowing I needed to, to get a parking spot.  I did not want to start out on my own hiking the first couple of kilometers early, through the dense forest and narrow winding pathway.  That is a recipe for face to face grizzly encounter!  I went down to the boat dock for 8:00 am when it opened and the Ranger-led 8:30 boat was already full with two groups already on a wait list.  I added my name just in case.  At 8:30 the attendant announced the first group on the wait list who acknowledged and headed for the boat, there was no answer when the second group was called, I said a prayer then my name was called!  I jumped for joy and ran to the boat!  

When we docked at the end of Lake Josephine, everyone gathered around to listen to the Ranger.  I did not want to go with that group so quietly spoke with a couple of others who were game to go with me on our own.  We began the hike then made introductions and chatted lots.  One other caught up with us and then two more so we were a very safe group of six.

After taking the boat, not much time is spent in the trees hiking, the view opens quite quick.  

The trail is clear as far as we can see and even clear of folks.  Today is the first day of the year the trail is open all the way to the end.  We got the early start which meant we would be one of the first to be there.  Well, there were only about 8 before us as it turned out.  That did not include the six snow shovellers who darted past us on the trail to finish the shoveling that was not completed yesterday. 

Grinnell Lake!

What a color!

I stopped to admire it and also...

because...

"I just want to feel this moment!"

Further along and higher up we could now see off in the distance Swiftcurrent Lake, Josephine Lake and Grinnell Lake closest to us.  It was a spectacular sight and I just love how those few little clouds came along as an added bonus to make the perfect picture.

The melt water from Grinnell Glacier. 

I walked onto the solid section.

I got my summit shot...

Being suspended in air...

because...

"I just want to feel this moment!"

Two from our group needed to leave right away while the rest of us stayed a bit to have lunch, take photos, explore and like me just to take time to be thankful and appreciative that we could be here today.  When we did leave, I glanced back one more time and seeing the blue sky and emerald water, I just had to have one last shot.

It was such a hot day!

I looked forward to an opportunity to cool off!

I dropped my pack...

Stood under the falls...

because...

"I just want to feel this moment!"

Grinnell Lake again on the way back.

The four of us stuck together as we all nixed taking the boat back in favour of hiking back to the trail head at Many Glacier Lodge.  Most of the trail beyond where we would have caught the boat was green, lush and grown to shoulder height for me.  It was very narrow and very winding so we were very noisy.  This was an absolutely unbelievable day!  I felt so very happy with how this vacation played out and now I was ready to head home after one last night of wine, a fire and sleeping in my tent.

Day 4 July 17 - Scenic Point Glacier National Park Montana

The Two Medicine area of Glacier National Park has its own distinctive look and I ventured there today to hike Scenic Point.  Before hitting the trail, I went down to the lake-side to get a reflection shot. It was perfection today!  It was early and it was already very warm.  The Ranger at the Station said to watch the sky because thunder storms are being forecast for the afternoon.

The first kilometer is in the trees then its open from there on in right up to the summit.  That's not the greatest for when it is hot but it is fabulous for wide open views.  What a combination of red mountains, gnarly trees and green slopes.  This is further up after already a number of switchbacks. 

Then the vista!

After the last corner, my objective came into sight which is that top knob sticking out in the far middle.  

Now the full Two Medicine Lake is visible.

I owned the summit for my 20 minute visit!

I enjoyed lunch...

Then found the perfect spot...

To get my summit shot and...

Just stand there....

because...

"I just want to feel this moment!"

Nothing but blue sky, sunshine, view upon view upon view.

It is being in places like this that make me feel like "I am on top of the world!"

I was back to St Mary with loads of time to grocery shop again, shower, then drive down to check into the Visitor Center for updated trail conditions and to find a doable hike for tomorrow.  It was about 4:00, I think, when I asked the Ranger what the latest conditions were for Grinnell Glacier.  She beamed with delight, smiled wide and announced "it just opened 30 minutes ago"!  I shrieked with joy!      She said they blasted snow two days ago and spent today shoveling open areas.  That explains the thunderous noise I heard while dining at the Grinnell Glacier Overlook.  I walked back to my car giving thanks for my stars continuing to align.

Day 3 July 16 - Highline Trail Glacier National Park Montana

I already had that "stars are aligning for me" feeling and this is only the beginning of Day 3.  Yesterday the Ranger told me the Highline Trail just fully opened two days prior so I knew right then and there I needed to hike that trail today.  I was up early to watch the sunset just a 30 second walk from my campsite.  This sight ignited my excitement for today!

I got to Logan Pass around 8:00 am to be guaranteed a parking spot and to hit the trail early so I could take my time, do the full one way hike and include the Overlook, while being sure to be at the Loop well before the last bus leaves.  Many folks were in the same mind-set as me and my concern of being alone was thrown by the way side.  The very first wide open view is of the trail ahead and the Going-To-The-Sun Road down below.

beargrass was plentiful

beargrass and mountains make a nice pairing

Mid way along the long stretch of the Highline Trail, a fellow solo "Canadian Girl" joined up with me. It was nice to have company, plus our pace was similar as were our interests and topics for discussion.  This was the first sighting of the Granite Park Chalet.  It also meant the detour along The Garden Wall to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook was close.  

While other folks just hiked on by, this detour to the Overlook was a definite must for both of us.  It was a slow grind, in the sweltering heat and it was exhausting but so well worth it.  Before doing anything...

I dropped my pack...

Positioned myself for my summit shot...

because this is where...

I felt like I was on top of the world...

and

"I just want to feel this moment!" 

view below me towards Grinnell Glacier

We picked a somewhat sheltered spot facing Lady MacDonald Lake to have our lunch.  The view was breathtaking.  I cherished these moments and took time to be thankful that I was right here, right now, present in the moment.  In these quiet moments just around noon, I did hear a thunderous noise and just attributed it to an avalanche occurring somewhere.  I did find out later that was not the case, but instead,   the stars were once again aligning for me. 

After lunch we began the steep descent down The Garden Wall back to the Highline Trail.  Our next destination was the Granite Park Chalet which you can see in the photo below as the dark spot lower mid right.  It looked so far away but took no time to get there. We took a few moments here to fuel up again before attacking the 4 kms down hill through the treed secluded portion that would bring us out to The Loop.  This part could not go by quick enough, it was so hot and I was beat.

We safely made it to The Loop with loads of time.  My friend for the day was heading West and I was heading East, so we shared our Thank Yous then parted ways and got on our buses.  When I planned this trip and was checking the trail status each day, it was looking like this one would not be doable.  I feel so fortunate for how today turned out!  Thank you "Canadian Girl" for sharing today with me!

Day 2 July 15 - Glacier National Park Montana

The sightseeing and getting settled in that was suppose to happen yesterday got done today.  After checking out of my cabin, I stopped off at the Many Glacier Lodge to check out the view.  The wind was wild on the deck so I got a scenic shot from inside.

view looking towards Logan Pass 

After a morning and afternoon of sightseeing, picking up groceries, checking trail conditions at the Visitor Center, it was time to set up my site at the campground in St. Mary.  It was the perfect spot for me and one lady described my set up as being "a nice nook".

As the sun began to set...

It was time to start a fire...

Open the wine...

Then lounge in my lawn chair...

because...

"I just want to feel this moment!"

Tomorrow will be a big day!

Day 1 July 14 - Iceberg Lake Glacier National Park Montana

As summer approached, I began to feel the need to have a get-a-way to look forward to that would be full off moments that I could feel and get lost in.  This trip needed to be priceless but cheap. Where could I go that would fit this bill?  No plane ride!  No hotel!  No car rental!  No guide fees!  Hmmm, a three and a half  hour car drive south to camp and hike in Glacier National Park Montana would be cheap and priceless at the same time.   I made it happen!  Not only was it cheap with priceless scenery but on top of all that, the stars aligned for me.   

I had no intentions of hiking my first day there but rather just sight-see and get settled in.  Since I was feeling fine after a 3.5 hour quick, smooth drive with no border- crossing trouble, I opted to hit a trail to stretch my legs and that took 3.5 hours also.  

My choice to set the tone of the trip was Iceberg Lake. 

I had been before so know it to be an eye opener and it certainly was today.

The view with still a couple of kms to where Iceberg Lake is nestled.

I was happy to see little icebergs floating about.

I found a quiet spot...
Then sat down by my own little iceberg...
because...
"I just want to feel this moment!"

The beginnings of more icebergs yet to come.

This is a shot of the far end of the Lake.

I stayed at the Lake for about 20 minutes and then began the hike back. 

The view on the return trip. 

Once back at the trail head, I checked into my home for the night.  A couple of days before I was due to leave, I checked online only to find vacancies here, so booked a night and went on my trip a day earlier.  After checking in and unpacking, I then enjoyed two margaritas and a pizza on the front deck of the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.  That finished me off and I was in bed by 8:00 pm.  

Even though this was only Day 1 of my visit to Glacier National Park, I was already well into vacation mode and mood.  I was excited for what was to come.