When we decided to focus on the National Parks for this trip, there were two that went to the top of my list of places I have not been but really wanted to see. Glacier was one of those (Acadia is the other in case you are curious). For years my friends who have been to Glacier kept telling me what an amazing place it was, how it was their favorite park, how it just couldn’t be described. I have too much fondness for Rocky Mountain NP for it to be replaced as my favorite, but Glacier more than lived up to all expectations.
We started day 1 in the park with a crack of dawn drive up “Going to the Sun” road. Unfortunately it was overcast so we didn’t get a good view of the sunrise but the views of everything else were simply amazing. There are lush valleys down below, rivers and creeks everywhere and meadows full of wildflowers. The mountainsides are steep and it felt like at every turn we encountered another waterfall. The road itself hugs the side of the mountain all the way up, in some areas passing under rock overhangs that are more than a bit intimidating. I was quite happy to be driving nothing larger than a small Ford Focus. The picture below is of our second day in the park – we drove above the clouds on our ascent to Logans Pass.
We reached the top at Logan Pass and went for the first hike of the day, up to Hidden Lake. All by itself, the view of the lake was worth the hike, but we also got to see a few mountain goats grazing and more Hoary Marmots than I could count (and they are funny to watch!). It ended up pretty cold and windy so we took a break until it cleared a bit in the afternoon. We had our hearts set on hiking the Avalanche trail, but it was completely packed. So, we settled for a much less popular hike around John’s lake. Turned out to be the best thing to possibly happen! We were quietly hiking along when all of a sudden about 40-50 feet ahead of us a very large black bear stepped out of the woods on to the trail. Carolyn caught it first and was stunned into speechlessness. I was a close second and was too busy backing up to say anything. We both grabbed the girls and started pointing.
In terms of a bear encounter, this one was ideal. The bear was aware of us but totally uninterested. We were clearly aware and interested in the bear, but far enough away to not be a threat at all. The only unfortunate part was that we had considered this more of a “stretch our legs” hike and not brought anything with us other than a single water bottle. So the pictures with my phone are best case a somewhat blurry, furry black thing in the woods. Mostly, the pictures look a lot like the fabled one of sasquatch – something is there, but it could be anything. Oh well, still pretty great to see such an amazing and majestic creature in its own element.
Although we did not see anymore bears, the rest of our time in Glacier was fantastic. From a nice dinner with great friends that were also camping in the area, to visiting an old refurbished Alpine Lodge to eating lunch at the base of a majestic waterfall. Truly a fantastic visit and a park that we will return to.
Great post, Dan! We also consider Glacier a favorite!
A beautiful place! We stayed at Many Glacier Lodge two years ago. We enjoyed watching the sunrise and light up the mom peaks bit by bit.
Were you prepared to punch the bear in the face if it came to that?
The pictures are beautiful. “Looking down on the clouds” is my favorite.
Who left the area first, the Muirs or the bear!!? What an experience.
The bear left :). We stood there silently (that is what the park recommends) and waited till he ambled away. He was in no great hurry so we got to be amazed for a few moments!