Up at dawn & on the road by 6am – must be on vacation 🙂
Drove 2 hours around the south rim of Glacier, then north to Many Glacier Trailhead. Country 95 FM on the radio, Southern Alberta’s best country – only 18 miles from Canada. Stopped a mile before the Visitors Center – first view of Glacier’s big peaks, horse & riders cutting across the valley. WOW, just beautiful – well worth the 2 hour drive.
Far away in northwestern Montana, hidden from view by clustering mountain peaks, lies an unmapped corner—the Crown of the Continent —George Bird Grinnell (1901)
George Grinnell worked to establish Glacier National Park in 1910. Additionally, he was prominent in movements to preserve wildlife and conservation in the American West. Notably, Grinnell worked to pass the National Park Protective Act in 1894 – protecting the last 200 bison remaining in Yellowstone.
In George Grinnell’s honor chose Grinnell Glacier for my day hike.
Passed 2 signs just past the Trailhead. “Grinnell Glacier hike is not recommended because of snow.” Second sign – Beware of Grizzlies. Not fearsome of snow, bears however…hmmm.
Lotta people on the trail early on — meadows overflowing with mountains flowers. Additionally, crossed over numerous waterfalls created from recent snow melt (snowed 18 inches just 3 weeks ago).
Saw my first Grizzly. Took a minute for me to register what was happening. I’m outside & there’s a bear – a real bear, not in a zoo…but on my hike. A ranger came out of nowhere & sternly told me to keep moving. Wasn’t the nicest guy but good to know I wasn’t alone. He told me this was a juvenile Grizzly foraging for summer berries. WOW – a bear!
Ducked under the ‘Not Recommended’ sign & hiked above glacier-fed Grinnell Lake before stopping for lunch. Soaked in scenery & lost myself staring into a large waterfall. Solitude & solo hikes can be a-ok. Amazing experience.
CLICK to WATCH ‘Grinnell Glacier (Montana)’
Saw my second bear on the hike return. Seriously, my second bear. No ranger this time. Was I suppose to curl up & play dead? Should I run downhill? Decided to keep moving, eyes straight ahead & not make a lot of noise.
Later came across a couple wearing jingle bell-covered hiking boots. Have you seen a bear today? Heck yeah I say enthusiastically – look at my pics! Don’t think that’s the answer they were looking for 🙂
Reported 2nd bear at the ranger station, then traveled Going-to-the-Sun Road across the Park to West Glacier. Stopped by Lake McDonald for one last chilly swim (felt good to wash the hike sweat off).
Ended the day with spaghetti at a diner. 9am heli tour tomorrow. Super excited!
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- Swiftcurrent Lake
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- Many Glacier Trailhead
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- Grinnell Glacier hike – stunning!
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- Beargrass
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- young Grizzly (berry season)
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- pic of the day – Grinnell Lake
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- peak reflection in glacier-fed waters
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- soaking it all in; amazing day hike
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- 2nd bear of the day – WOW & yikes!
Landed minutes before midnight, signed for my rental, then nabbed a few hours sleep before heading north.
Missoula, site of my 9th marathon on Sunday, was chosen because of its relatively close proximity to Glacier National Park – a bucket list destination for 10+ years. Instantly fell in love.
Montana’s landscape is reminiscent of Colorado – but with far less people.
Stopped for an early lunch outside Flathead Lake, one hour further the Park.
Day One goal – drive to the Continental Divide at Logan Pass via Going-to-the-Sun Road (half-way across the Park), then back to West Glacier before 9pm to secure accommodations – tenting 2 days just outside the Park.
Purchased an annual Park pass. Plan to hike Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Wind Cave (SD) & RMNP before the snow flies later this year. Living B-I-G again after Ironman — life is good.
Stopped at Lake McDonald – in awe how mountains seemingly spire straight up from its depth. Put my feet in the water – cold, despite the day’s high temp (almost 90 degrees).
(On the drive return, I’d stop & swim in these chilly waters. Perfect, after a day on the road.)
Next stop Avalanche Falls, fast moving water fueled by McDonald Creek. Tourist stop – but understandably so.
The road now climbed – my car hugging rock cliffs or maneuvering hairpin turns over exposed terrain mounted hundreds of feet above river-forged canyons. Impromptu waterfalls created by melting snow bathed dust off the car. AMAZING day!
Rugged glacier fields perched high on Montana’s high peaks – that’s why we visit. Irreversible; these glaciers are receding exponentially, 2030 extinction targeted as our Earth bakes under Man’s watch 🙁
Parked with scores of travelers at Logan Pass & watched kids play in snow behind the Visitors Center.
While folks strained to view 3 bighorn sheep dance on a rock terrace high above, I near walked into a large ram just off Highline Trail. Unnerved & slow-moving from a willow thicket, he crossed directly in front [of me]. So fast, so unexpected — I captured its image on my iPhone (camera tucked tight in my backpack – that won’t happen again).
Checked into Glacier Under Canvas & located my tent – my home for the next 2 days. Scored hummus, chips & bottled water at a local fish & tackle – dinner, check done. Quick shower, now snug in my sleeping bag, couldn’t sleep – too excited.
Glacier hiking tomorrow.
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- Glacier Country colour
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- chilly Lake McDonald
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- McDonald Creek
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- Avalanche Falls
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- SPECTACULAR!
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- stunning scenery
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- Glacier’s Red Bus Tours – small against the MASSIVE landscape
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- Going-to-the-Sun Road cuts East-West across Glacier
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- snow melt fuels this fast running Waterfall
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- snow on the Divide at Logan Pass
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- Bighorn Sheep
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- Home, Sweet Home
Avalanche Falls
After so much run, run, running – was super happy to touch base with my Fort Collins-based hiking friends & schedule much needed time in the mountains. Nothing provides more clarity & re-centers the spirit like time on our high peaks. Cammy listed 4 or 5 14ers on her summer wish list (yeah, she’s pretty hardcore) & I chose Sherman (Blanca Peak is next on my list).
Exactly what I needed. Biking & swimming will soon be on hiatus as I return to my true love. Still sticking with this year’s Ironman challenge – at least I’m gonna try – but after August 3rd, you’ll find me in the mountains. Rainier, Hood, Shasta, Denali – so many West Coast peaks are calling.
Caravanned to Mt. Sherman trailhead Friday night. Just past Fairplay, first snow. Couldn’t stop grinning.
The drive ended on rough dirt roads, lotta rocks for a low riding Prius (my next car will be a truck 🙂 ). Cammy & Erik set up camp near a small runoff stream – their huskies Knook & Nikita expected to keep the two warm from blowing wind & 31 degree temps. I chose the easy way out, unpacked my sleeping bag & slept inside the car. Blindfolded a shirt over my eyes after struggling an hour in search of darkness – the night’s full moon shone bright.
Woke in time to watch the moon slip beneath the ridge – my first clear vision of the snow-covered peaks.
Packed up, watered up, ready to hike. Passed an old mining shack, remnants of Colorado past.
Chose to bypass a series of switchbacks & scree scramble UP to the saddle. SNOW!! Conditions couldn’t have been any more perfect. I brought poles this day & easily moved up the ridge. Wind blew cold, helping to regulate my internal temp (running hot under 3 layers). Straight ahead I could see my first 14er summit of 2014. Woo-hoo!
Have never felt so strong before on a hike – attribute 50% to mental drive (I really wanted to summit today), the other half to consistent marathon training. Crazy lung capacity these days.
Summited at 8am – what to do? How ‘bout descend & climb nearby 13er Mt. Sheridan. Sheridan was lot more rock scramble (not my fave) but the payoff was the same – that view. SPECTACULAR! No bigger rush in life. Absolutely nothing like it.
Slid down two glaciers (super fun) & examined an old mine shaft on our descent.
Day’s over? Heck no – it’s not even noon yet.
On our drive return, stopped in Fairplay & toured South Park City – a historical mining town reconstruction from the days of the Colorado Gold Rush. LOVED it!
Marathon in Duluth next weekend, followed by two triathlons – training for Ironman Boulder. Most every other weekend between now & Columbus Day, you’ll find me sleeping under the stars anticipating my next climb.
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- daybreak, Mt Sherman trailhead
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- Saturday morning playground
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- SNOW!
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- Cammy & Nikita approaching the summit
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- lotta adrenaline – first 14er of 2014
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- SUCCESS – Mt Sherman 14,035ft
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- down 1,000ft, then UP again to 13er Mt Sheridan
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- Mt Sheridan approach
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- 2nd summit of the day – WOW!
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- Cammy, Erik & their fur family
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- Knook
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- fastest way to descend – CRAZY FUN!
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- old abandoned gold mine
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- reconstructed mining community in Fairplay
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- one room schoolhouse
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- pharmacy
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- old mining town – with a VIEW!
