Many Glaciers

The following day after our drive up to Logan's Pass was a little gloomy so we drove up to Many Glacier and enjoyed the Lodge on the edge of the lake. The feeling you get at the lodge is that of a Norwegian fjord with the rustic lodge, Glacial lake and huge mountain just across the bay. As we left the mountain lake we found a little black bear munching on the tops of grasses in an open field near the waters edge. We were not concerned as we were in our walk on the valley floor were we saw several signs of Grizzly bear scrapes and scat on the trail. I had my bear spray ready, just in case.

The next day the rain hung on the mountains so we turned around and walked the woods and prairie land leading up to the mountains and discovered some of the most beautiful scenes yet. As we cleared a burned out area we entered a field of wild flowers. Gary stopped in his tracks to enjoy the view and the assault to the senses of perfume lofting up from the ground.

I remembered a photographer telling me that when you think you have the shot, turn around and look behind you and you will often see the best shot of the day and maybe your life, the one you would have missed had you not turned around.

Logan's Pass

Late in the day we took a drive up to Logan's Pass, just before it closed looking for evening, we were looking for wildlife. We did not see the usual Bug Horn Sheep that hangs out in the parking lot or goats but we were also free from the crowds. We had the mountain to ourselves and it was a beautiful night.

Sun Point, Sunrift Gorge and Baring falls

Today was a hike along the beautiful St Marys Lake that took us to a spectacular lookout at Sun Point, to another set of falls and into a deep gorge with swift moving glacial runoff. We returned to the rig in time for an evening rain storm which have cooled the temps at least 15 degrees. Cooler temps are a good thing for Blue.

Hiking to St Marys Falls

With the highs in the 90s, today's hike was a bit hot but St Marys Falls and the Virginia Falls just a half mile up the trail were worth the effort. Virginia Falls was a cool break with the glacial water spray filling the air. Simply beautiful.

Sometimes words are not enough

Just look at the Going to the Sun Road and you will understand why.

Two Medicine for one night

Before I get to far ahead of myself, our first night in Glacier National Park was spent in the Two Medicine campground. Beautiful spot to spend the evening and walk the trails. If we stop here again, site 100 is our favorite at the end of the lake with a large pull through location to enjoy the mountains.

The next day we moved up to St. Marys campground where we will spend 8 days before moving into the Canadian Rockies. This campground has larger spaces but not as much shade. It is in a central location and has easy access to the Visitors Center where they hold seminars every day.

Lodges of Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rocky's

We hope to see many of the historic old lodges around Glacier and throughout the Canadian Rocky's, but will probably not see them all. As you enter GNP on the east side you are welcomed by a grand old lodge that sits next to the Amtrak depot. The second was in West Glacier after a long and very beautiful ride on the Going to the Sun Road. The road just opened this week so we were some of the first to see Logan's Pass, along with several hundred others including a few snow boarders, enjoying the warm air and hard pack snow. We chose the free shuttle the first time over and it was a great ride with many stops.
Later in the week on one of our only rainy days, we took a drive to the Many Glaciers area and found the Many Glacier Lodge set on an alpine lake with a large mountain just across the bay. The scene was like that of a Norwegian Fjord. One of our favorites was after a steep climb above Waterton Lake (CA) where Gary found a nicely framed shot of the Chateau through the trees. The views from the top were worth the hike!