Scenic Point GNP Montana Aug 3

Once again, before hitting any trail, we checked in at the St. Mary Visitor Center for the latest conditions.  They seem to be changing on a daily basis due to snow slopes improving, or snow bridges getting worse or trails closed due to bears.  Our plan was for Scenic Point in East Glacier and we confirmed it was A.O.K.   We got a later start due to yesterday's big day and there were already lots of cars at the trailhead by the time we arrived. 

We hiked in the trees for a very short distance then the start of the 17 switchbacks began and this is where the views started immediately.  The trees along the slope were scraggly and the wild flowers were splendid.  While still in the same National Park, this side had a whole different look.

The trail was very obvious and totally clear of snow.  At about the third switchback, we could see the edge of Two Medicine Lake.  This area seemed much further ahead with snow melt then the St. Mary or Many Glaciers areas.  It was so wide open with no place what so ever to take refuge from the sun beating down.

As we worked our way up the switchbacks, we got to see deeper into the valley between Mount Henry and Appistoki Peak and the start of Appistoki Creek in the center of the valley.  

A few of us took a small detour up a rocky scree covered slope which added more elevation to be at a high point where we had this view.  We took a few minutes and a few snacks before descending to join the others again and then head off to our destination.

That's our destination, that very last rock that is sticking out at the far end!  This whole dome- like ridge is called Scenic Point.  Much of the elevation is already done at this point, we just need to traverse this slope then climb to the final rock formation.  

Once at our destination, this was the view!  Two Medicine Lake is plain to see, a portion of Upper Two Medicine Lake was visible and Dawson Pass is on the right.  We could also see the townsite of East Glacier and Browning in the other direction.

I joined others to have this view for lunch.  This is Lower Two Medicine Lake.

Shortly after our descent began, and while we still had a wide open view, I took a panorama shot with Two Medicine Lake being the center of attention.  It was a very quick trip down.  I was already thinking this is an area I would like to come back to.  It is not suppose to be as busy, and I was surprised at the number of other hikers on the trail.  I know the National Park now has three Ranger led hikes in East Glacier where they never did before so are promoting it and I can see why.  It has beauty of a different kind and still a rewarding area to hike in.

If you decide to give it a go, go prepared for wind and take lots of water if it's a hot day.  The drive too and from the trail head was an adventure, being a smaller version of the going-to-the-sun road, but with no guard rails and the sides of the road giving way in a few spots.  

This hike had great rewards for not too much of an effort distance or elevation wise.  Having a view like the one above in my panorama photo, how could you not feel like  you were "on top of the world!"

Piegan Pass GNP Montana Aug 2

After checking out maps, reading trail descriptions, reviewing shuttle times, then chatting with the Ranger at the St Mary Visitor Center about conditions, we came to a consensus that Piegan Pass would be our hike for today.  We agreed to keep our options open and assess as we went along and if conditions were safe, we would carry on further.  The selection was limited of safe places to hike where crampons, ice axes and knowledge of self arrest were not advised.  Yet, even after doing all the necessary homework, our day turned out to be a wild adventure!  

The Piegan Pass trail head is at the Siyeh Bend just before the last stretch up to Logan Pass.

We followed the creek for a short period then veered off into the forest for a few kilometers before reaching a wide open space where we would spend the majority of our time.  You can see the trail ahead of me which leads up to Piegan Pass.  Between where I am and where the trail ahead is, there were two short steep slippery snowy sections to traverse.

As we got higher, I kept looking back and at this point the view was great of Siyeh Bend in the center of the photo and that's where our cars are parked.

We reached the Pass and could see down in the valley on the other side.  The turquoise tarn nestled at the base of the wall was a pretty sight.  This was our lunch stop and where we took time to assess and discuss options.   A couple of other folks along the trail had some info to share but not much more then we knew already.  We decided to carry on and continue the assessing process as needed.

Looking at this eastern face of The Garden Wall, it was hard to imagine that on the other side of this is a long large wide grassy slope carpeted in wild flowers.

We can see for the next stretch that conditions are fine so begin our steep descent but switch backs and scenery make it an enjoyable and quick one.   At the end of this portion of descent, its time for one last longer rest to snack and enjoy the view before heading into the trees for the balance of the hike.  At this point, conditions have been great and still look great ahead, time is on our side, so we decide the Many Glacier Hotel will be our destination and we will catch the last shuttle from there back to St. Mary then transfer on to the Park shuttle to get back to our vehicles.

Not long after our longer stop, we come across a very steep slippery snowy slope that hasn't yet been crossed.  Others begin the traverse and I start to but just can't do it so take the three steps back and descend the steep slope on solid ground trying not to kill too many glacier lilies and thinking I will feel safer crossing over at the lower portion then climb back up on dry land on the other side.  As myself and my friend who sticks with me get lower, we see the trail on our side again.  We wait here for those that traversed across because they need to complete the switchback then traverse back again to reach the trail lower down.  At this point, we are waiting for them to appear and to watch them cross this slope.  One friend did loose their footing, tried to self arrest but couldn't and slide to the bottom landing in a drainage below a snow bridge but thankfully came away unscathed and O.K.  I couldn't watch the rest of them cross from that point on!

We finally reach Cataract Creek, our descent is done.  Now it is pretty much flat the balance of the way so can make up our time along this section.  This is a beautiful view looking back at where we were and Morning Eagle Falls in the middle of the photo but we need to cross the creek and we see the wooden bridge on the other side of the creek laying in a protected area in the bushes.  The Rangers have not been out yet to but the bridges back in place.  The creek is high and cold and fast and we walk it looking for options to cross.  We were warned about snow bridges and that some have collapsed and others are ready to do so.  This snow bridge is our only option to cross the creek at this point.   We assess it, test it out, then all make our way safely across.

We come across another place where the bridge is on the other side, and where the creek is wider, there isn't a snow bridge, so we need to do a bare foot crossing and all the assessing and the crossing take up time that now leaves us in rush mode to make the last shuttle at 5:30.    With 3.7 kms to go its serious business so heads are down, the pace is rush, voices are loud and we motor to the Hotel arriving at 5:08, thankfully with time to spare, so we think.  We find out the last bus left at 4:45!  No more shuttle runs, no cabs, no tour buses!  We are a long way from our vehicles which are almost at Logan Pass.  We talk with the Hotel Shuttle Hostess, who is able to contact a shuttle driver who is willing to come get us and take us to St. Mary but we have to wait an hour for him which is absolutely fine.  He drives us right to our camp site so we tip him big time.  I drove the two drivers from the morning up to Siyeh Bend, they hop in their vehicles and we all drive home!

It was great to be in an area away from the hoards of hikers where we could own the trail for the majority of the time.  I appreciate an area where the landscapes are varied and it is so wide open that you can see forever.  I really enjoy when the trek gets wild with unique situations that make for a memorable adventure! It pays to keep options open, to take chances and to explore because you can end up in places where you feel like you are "on top of the world!"

Hidden Lake GNP Montana Aug 1

For the third year in a row, I have chosen to spend a few days in early August at Glacier National Park in Montana.  This time would be different though in the sense I will be camping instead of hotelling it.  I set up camp yesterday at Johnson's Campground for four nights.  I arrived yesterday while my friends were out hiking Iceberg Lake and Ptarmigan Tunnel.  

This morning we stopped in at the St. Mary Visitor Center to check out trail conditions and to see if the Ranger could make a safe suggestion for us that didn't involve needing an ice axe and crampons and that was on the shorter side.  We came away with the decision to do Hidden Lake which I had done twice before but certainly didn't mind hiking it again.  

Once behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center where the trail head is, I thought it looked more like early spring time then the dog days of summer due to the amount of snow.  What wasn't covered with snow, was covered with glacier lilies.

The sticks in the snow marked the trail.  Under all the snow is a board walk with stairs and landings.  It was fun to watch people ahead of me wearing everything from hiking boots to sandals trying to make their way up the snow.

Most hikers opted to stop at the Hidden Lake Overlook and that was what the Ranger recommended but did say folks are going beyond but there are steep slippery snowy slopes and proper foot wear and hiking poles are a good idea.   The little black dots are people crossing the slope.   I bit the bullet and just went for it!  UGH!

On both previous occasions being here, Hidden Lake was totally melted but this time it wasn't and that made doing it a third time all worthwhile.  It looked so pretty with pieces of ice floating in it.

When we reached the lake side, the reflections were gorgeous.  We found a nice spot in the sun and rested for quite some time, ate, took lots of photos and played around the water.

What is going to Logan Pass and hiking Hidden Lake if you don't see a mountain goat?  It's part of the package deal!  The goat population is growing and this baby is trying to get through the snow to catch up to Mom.

Nearing the end of our hike,  Ranger Brady was ending his work assessing conditions along the trail so we stopped for a chat and a photo op.  He had interesting info to share and talked a bit about the story written in the book Night of the Grizzlies. (I picked up the book at the Swift Current Ranger Station before heading back to Calgary.)

The Hidden Lake trail conditions should improve over the next few days with the gorgeous hot sunny weather but I wonder if it will totally clear before the new snow starts to fall.  Today was a great start to this vacation and now we get to go enjoy happy hour at our campsite then dinner, more drinks and end the evening under the stars around a campfire.  Aahhhh, this is what life is all about!