Redrock Lake & Falls GNP Montana August 1 2016

Considering I had the drive back home today on a Canadian holiday Monday which included a border crossing, I did not want to hike a great distance.  I picked Bullhead Lake as my destination.  The trail head was at my doorstep and the scenery included three lakes, waterfalls, creeks, red rocks and mountain vistas.   It would be a 10 kilometer round trip with minimal elevation gain.  It would also be an introduction of the route to Swiftcurrent Pass from the Many Glacier side which I want to hike another time.  

The view this time around from my room at Swift Current Motor Inn is this.  Each evening between 5:30 and 6:30 the red cars arrive back after their day of touring. One evening I watched the routine performed by the drivers.  They guided each other as they backed the car into place.  They checked to make sure the cars were all precisely lined up.  There was lots of backing up and moving forward until there was perfection with the line up.  They polished the vehicle from top to bottom and from front to back until they glistened.  When all was said and done, they paced back and forth in front of all vehicles completing an inspection.  This is how they sit when their day is done and ready to begin again the next morning.      

And my morning begins.  I checked out and moved my car two minutes to the trail head for Bullhead Lake.  The official trail head is called Swiftcurrent Trailhead. There were already many vehicles here as this is the hub for many different day hikes and backpack trips.  At 7:30am it was already hot. 

This trail is part of the Continential Divide Trail.

This is a common sign seen in  Glacier National Park.  

I did not take it lightly, I was noisy.

near the beginning

In no time at all, I arrived at Fishercap Lake.  

There was a little distance between Fishercap Lake and Redrock Lake.  I could see brown movement at the end of the lake and when I zoomed in I saw it was a moose. They are known to frequent this Lake in the early morning.  I hurried to the far end of the Lake to get closer.

She was eating and drinking while her baby sat in the grass and watched.

I spent a little time admiring the moose family then went on with my day.  

All the red rock was now in view.  

I spent a little bit of time climbing the rocks getting views of Redrock Falls.  A few other folks were in the vicinity.  I hear this place gets very, very busy so I was happy to be here early.  I was still noisy though not letting my guard down.

waterfalls

It was time to move on up the trail.  I was glad to see the trail open up after a little time of dense brush and a narrow windng trail.  The grand vistas were coming into view.  I wanted to have a look to see where the trail veered to head up to Swiftcurrent Pass.  I carried on aiming for Bullhead Lake....

...but I never made it to Bullhead Lake.  When I reached the opening along the trail and had a wide open view, I spied movement on the grassy slope to my right.  I saw a grizzly bear chowing down.  Then I saw another one doing the same thing.

Then I saw three grizzly bears all having what I figured was breakfast.  It was Mom and her kids and the kids looked a good size, so they were not brand new this year. I watched them for a little while, it was an amazing sight to see and I felt safe.  They began to slowly work their way down slope and I decided at that point I had reached my turn around point.  There was no hiking on to Bullhead Lake today for me.  I did not want to have to come face to face to this family on my return portion of the hike.  

I was disappointed not to make it to Bullhead Lake but it was not worth it for me to go there so upon my return I took a little more time around all the red rocks.  I did warn others who were coming along.  Some took the chance others did not.

I opted for my destination shot to be up on some red rocks.

On the way back, I admired the lakes again and then aimed for my car.  Instead of the ten kilometers planned distance, I completed eight kilometres.  I was completely content with how this somewhat spur of the moment plan for the long weekend turned out and was now ready to hit the highway home.  

Highline Trail GNP Montana July 31 2016

Deja Vu but different this time!  This time The Highline Trail is open, being clear of all snow slopes, so it is open for business and I have lots of business to take care of here today.  Today's plan was to hike The Highline Trail to the intersection of the Grinnell Glacier Overlook, climb up to the Overlook,  hang out, and then return the way I came.  That plan did not pan out, follow along to see how my day did play out.

                                         

Arriving at the trail head early, I could already see loads of folks ahead.  I had no worries of soloing, even considering hikers were confronted by a grizzly a few days prior.  The morning was fresh and clear and I felt invigorated.

The trail starts at Logan Pass so you are high right from the get go. Here I am looking down onto the Going to the Sun Road. You can see the hiking trail in the left of the photo in the center.  It's that fine grey line with a cable along side to hold on to if you are so inclined to do so.

Part of the Highline Trail is called the Garden Wall.  The wild flowers were in abundance pretty much the entire stretch.  I tried to just admire as I hiked by, but could not help myself from stopping lots to get up close and capture the beauty.

By now I passed many people, both young and old, soloists, couples and families.  Haystack Butte came into sight.  It looked like an appealing place to be up on.  I pondered options as I approached it.

I hiked up to the lower level of Haystack Butte, beyond that was a scramble which was not in my cards for today.  This was a good spot for a snack break and a destination shot.  Hiking up to here added time on to my morning which I had not previously included as an option.                                                   

beargrass along the way

I could spy the trail going on forever and I could also see Granite Park Chalet sitting in the center of the ridge ahead. It looked so close but I knew it wasn't. I thoroughly enjoy these vast views.  I reached the intersection for the trail up to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook.  In a matter of a split second, I decided I did not want to go up there and I did not want to return the way I came.  I wanted to reach the Chalet.

view on my way to the Chalet 

zoomed in on Granite Park Chalet

flowers framing the mountain view

just another one of those beautiful vast views

I reached the final section of trail that winds up to the Chalet.

While no folks were directly in this vicinity, I secured another destination shot. Good thing it was airy and breezy up here. This was another hot day in Glacier.  I admired the area and then settled down at a picnic table to rest and savour my meal.

This was my lunch time view.  Three folks joined me to dine.  We agreed this view was priceless.  A funny conversation took place.  They asked if I had a trail name.  For a split second I thought I was on the Pacific Crest Trail where all hikers earn a trail name.  I chuckled and told them I was "Making Waves", I guess that could be my trail name.  I asked who were they and their response was "Phamplet", "Protip" and "McCoy" then they explained why those names.  I spent quite some time here then packed up and aimed for the 6.5 km descent to The Loop.

Thank goodness it was descending time, this even felt like work with the high temperature.  I would not want to be ascending this trail now and some folks were.  The views were big at times but I found myself  paying more attention to my foot placement.  I was tired and feeling lazy.  

As I exited the trail to The Loop, the Logan Pass shuttle bus pulled up, opened the door and myself and a fellow hopped on.  I was so very thankful for this.  One of the reasons I was considering returning the way I came was because of stories I heard and read that there were very long waits for the bus due to many hikers and full buses but this was not the case for my experience.  Then it was smooth sailing all along the Going to the Sun Road right back to my car at Logan Pass.

Call it star alignment, luck of the draw or someone watching over me, this day played out perfectly.  Before driving back to Swift Current at Many Glacier, I stopped at St Mary for an ice cream to energize my pleasantly depleted body.  It was a sweet treat to cap of a sweet day!

Grinnell Glacier GNP Montana July 30 2016

A month later and I am back hiking in Glacier National Park Montana.  With this being a long weekend for us, I wanted to hike the three days without having to drive back & forth to the mountains each day.  I only decided about two weeks ago how I wanted my weekend to look and I could not make it happen in the Lake Louise/Icefield Parkway/Jasper areas neither vacancy-wise nor affordably-wise. Out of curiosity, I checked Glacier accommodations and what appeared was that little green box beside Swift Current Motor Inn for Saturday and Sunday, I grabbed it like there was no tomorrow!

Being a month later, more trails were accessible.  I checked trail and weather conditions as go time approached and I could see I would be in for a treat.  After 2:50 of driving, I was at the border where I had a 15 minute wait and by 8:30 I was at the Grinnell Glacier Trail Head.  I stretched, snacked, geared up and took off. There were already plenty of folks ahead of me, so I had no worries at all.

At this time of the morning, the air was already humid and warm and still.  You can see the Many Glacier Hotel sitting on the edge of Swiftcurrent Lake. If your choice is to join the Ranger for the guided hike or if you want to cut off a few kilometres of hiking, you would start your day at the Many Glacier Hotel boat dock.

Then you would pick up the connecting boat at Lake Josephine....

 .....and it would drop you off at the far end of the Lake where you would begin your hike.  I passed on the boat option in favour of being on my feet the whole time.

view along the trail

As I climbed higher, the views become massive.  In the left of this photo is the Piegan Pass area where I hiked on Canada Day.  Also in the bottom center you can see Morning Eagle Falls.

A short distance further, Grinnell Lake came into view.

Grinnell Lake

I remembered having to contend with passing by a waterfall from when I was here years ago.  You have no option of not getting wet.  The steps are slippery which means slow going.  That's OK, it was a hot morning and the falls were cooling and refreshing.

The meadow section was covered in wildflowers.

Upper Grinnell Lake was so pretty.  This placed deserved some time, so I settled down and took it all in. Notice that dip a bit center right just above the snow.  Stay tuned, I will be up there tomorrow.

 relaxing at Upper Grinnell Lake

 another view of Upper Grinnell Lake

There is never a worry for solo hikers being alone in this Park.  We are plentiful and friendly and enjoy sharing parts of our day. I met Flora from North Dakota and we did the return portion of the hike together.  We are excited to be here.

lots of lakes below me

sitting above Grinnell Lake on the way back

As we were descending, many, many, and many more were ascending.  This hike is awesome and everyone wanted to pay witness to that.   We arrived back down at shoreline level which meant the hike was nearing the end.  I was by now pleasantly depleted and was already looking forward to putting my feet up.

We crossed the creek and arrived back at the parking lot. Flora and I wished each other the best and went our separate ways.  I had a little time before checking in so strolled about but that was once I got my boots and socks off.  

                                        

I had expectations for this day, they were exceeded.  The drive from home to here was easy, the border crossing was quick and uneventful, the hike was outstanding and my room is sweetly tucked in the trees and so very peaceful.  All that is left to say is "thank-you for this day"!