Day 7,
September 6, 2019 … Glacier and Lewis and Clark
We’re up
before sunrise this morning to get into Glacier National Park early, hoping to
avoid the crowds and spot a few critters. It’s cloudy and hazy today and they are
predicting rain, so the pictures aren’t always the greatest. We drive right through to the west tunnel to our
first stop at the Loop. It is the only
switchback on the road as we climb up the mountain, and the views of the valley
and Heavens Peak are breathtaking. Because
of the fires in 2003, one sees many tall, bare pine poles across the base of
the mountains, but the undergrowth of evergreens is growing rapidly to provide
a nice contrast to the bare, jagged mountain tops.
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| Going into the Sun Highway Glacier National Park |
As expected
this time of year, the water flow down Bird Woman was down to a dribble and the
Weeping Wall had no water coming down whatsoever. But we stopped at Oberlin Bend where we gazed
across the landscape and the winding road we just drove on. The road is very narrow, cut into the side of
the mountain with the sheer mountain cliff along our left and a very short
stone wall on the right which, supposedly, would keep us from tumbling down thousands
of feet below in case we veered too far! Here there was a lovely water fall
gushing down the mountain side.
Logan’s Pass
sits at the Continental Divide at 6,646 feet above sea level. The 360-degree view of the mountains with
quite a few glaciers is so gorgeous. We
were ambivalent about walking the mile and a half, all up the mountain, to view
the Hidden Lake. But we started walking in that direction hoping to catch a
glimpse of some wild animal. We were
delighted when we spotted about 9 mountain goats up on one of the ridges about
500 yards away with the binoculars. It
made taking pictures of them quite challenging, but we did get a few good ones (after
quite a few attempts!) Jack and Diane
talked with one of the Rangers, who said there was a bear spotted at the base
of the parking lot this morning, noting there are about 300 grizzlies and 600
black bear living in the park. They
must have rambled into the woods, since we didn’t spot any bear. So, because we did enjoy watching the mountain
goats, and it was just beginning to rain, we decided not to continue the hike
to Hidden Lake. That probably was a
mistake, but that’s the way it is! We
did enjoy this stop and hopped back into the car just as it started to
drizzle. Great timing!
We got a good view of Jackson Glacier, and then we stopped to take in the gorgeous water-carved Sunrift Gorge. The creek water comes down a very narrow, high-walled gorge, then tumbles down a series of cascades, bridged by the road, creating a string of little falls. We enjoyed the sights and sounds even in the rain!
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| Sunrift Gorge |
As we leave the park, we make one more stop to capture the one tiny Wild Goose Island in St. Mary Lake contrasted by the mighty mountain peaks in the background. Another gorgeous view. So in spite of the weather, we enjoyed all the majesty the Park has to offer!
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| Wild Goose Island in St. Mary Lake |
The drive
between the Park and Great Falls was rather monotonous – high plateaus between
4,500 and 5,000 feet above sea level that are flat as a pancake with miles and
miles of either wheat fields or cattle grazing ranches. But we did find a real gem south of Great
Falls. The back road of Highway 89 down
to Livingston was very scenic as we zigged and zagged over hills and valleys
spotted with evergreen trees, all above 4,500 feet. But then we entered the Louis and Clark
National Forest, located in the Little Belt Mountain Range. The terrain changed to steep treed mountains
hemming us in as we weaved along the valley guided by a little mountain stream. Soon we found ourselves climbing, climbing,
climbing up to Kings Hill Pass at 7,400 feet!
Coming out of the mountain range, as the rolling hills returned to wheat
and grazing fields, we spotted six pronghorn antelope … it’s been a red letter
day for spotting wildlife!!
While it
rained most of the way down to Livingston, we’re hoping to have clearer weather
tomorrow as we prepare to check out northern Yellowstone Park. Many more beautiful places to explore … We are
especially Blessed to be able to explore all these wonders with Jack and Diane!
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