This was my second visit to Glacier National Park, but it was not planned in advance. It was a consequence of wildfires that curtailed my plans for a second forray into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. From a base camp near West Glacier, I hiked a few trails on the west side of the park and revisited the Highline Trail. FWIW, you can find my first visit here.
Montana wildfires from The Bob drove me to Glacier, so when I get to the top of Huckleberry Mountain, what do I see? Smoke from Canadian wildfires. Sigh. Still, it’s a nice view.The Canadian wildfires seemed to have less of an affect on the view to the south of Huckleberry Mountain.A nice view from the Apgar Lookout Trail. The light greenish area just left of center is a golf course. Sometimes it’s hard to escape civilization.This was my second hike along the Highline Trail. In both cases, clouds descended to the level of the trail in places. Yet, I was told this was a rare occurrence. Here, hikers continue their descent into the obscurity of the cloud.Heavy clouds above and wispy clouds below limit but do not hide the view across and below.Glacier National Park is known for its waterfalls. But rather than one sheer drop, they form long, stepe cascades. This one is on te small side, yet it comes from far above and continues across the trail and ends far below.Look at the patterns in this rock. To me, they speak of tremendous heat and pressure over gelogic time. The colors are green above and purple below. Glacier sure has strange rocks in some places.Granite Park Chalet from above. This hard-to-reserve chalet offers great views in a natural setting, but you need to get your own water from a stream below.Lake McDonald is elusive among mountains and valley, and the low clouds make view tantalizing. My kingdom for a sunny day!Although under the influence of the clouds, you can still get a sense of the large vertical differences between the moutain peaks and the river valleys below.The Hidden Lake Overlook Trail is a must for anyone visiting Logan Pass. It begins with a delightful walk through a mountain meadow that has lush vegitation, streams and even snow patches that linger into August. But try to go on a sunny day.Water is flowing downstream almost everywhere it seems. The extra wide trail makes it easy.
A portion of Hidden Lake and mountains behind itHidden Lake was a real treat. Even though clouds could only hide a portion of its beauty. I now need to go there again on a sunny day, when I can see it in its glory and where I can also see the mountains. This short trail is an NPS gem.
A rare moment of sunshine gives me false hopes and a brief clear view a some of the large mountains of Glacier National Park.Avalanche Gorge is short but prettyAvanche Creek is easily acessible if you can find a nearby parking spot. Arrive in early morning.Despite the harsh mid-morning light, Avalanche Lake and its three long waterfalls are visible. What is a better time to visit?From the south end, Avalance Lake does not suffer from the harsh sunlight, but neither does it show off its waterfalls.Water flows from snowmelt down one of the waterfalls into a creek, which flows into Avalanche Lake and then into Avalanche Creek.
Adventure After 60 