Heavely Glacier

Tuesday, September 8
Glacier National Park is more than I remembered from the days I traveled with Aunt Ree and Uncle Hershel or even with the kids and Jay. The views were spectacular on the Going to the Sun Road and yes I was glad to find the purse and enjoy again. We packed up on Tuesday morning to go to Many Glacier, a part of the park that is just north of St. Mary's. The beautiful hotel at Many Glacier and the Swiftcurrent Lake is the place I have longed to see again for over 30 years. I just could not remember where it was. We had gone to Lake McDonald at West Glacier but that was not it even though the water is such an amazing deep turquoise color. Swiftcurrent is just beautiful with a backdrop of mountains and views of a few remaining glaciers. I am sure Al Gore could not see the remaining beauty through his tears but he should just take in the views and know that God is in charge.
Red Rock Falls was a great hike and the falls gave these two pretend photographers a chance to practice our skills of stopping water drops in motion and then making them flow into an amazing blur. A gentleman said he thought we were pros. We just take a lot and throw away the bad ones before you see them. This hike was 5 miles round trip and not too strenuous. After a quick supper we attended the Ranger Talk. They are always a highlight for me. As a kid I wanted to be a Ranger and may someday (volunteer ranger.) The Ranger gave an informative talk on Beaver in the park. Nighty night from 2 tired broads who need to get up early tomorrow.

Wednesday , September 9 ~ Happy Birthday My Girl Meredith
The morning was a rush as we needed to be at the boat dock at Many Glacier Hotel by 8:00am in order to get a ticket for the guided hike to Grinnel Lake. It actually leaves the dock at 9 and we were on the waiting list. Not to worry we had time to visit the lobby of the hotel and get a snack for the trip. Ryan was an interesting guide with much knowledge to share. The best part for me is that he loves this park and sees something different each time he takes the same hike. He saw a berry this day that he had not seen growing there before. On his day off, he usually takes a hike alone. This tour takes you across Swiftcurrent Lake, hike to Josephine Lake, ride to other end of Josephine and then hike to Grinnel Lake. There are board walk, flat trails, trails with elevation gain and a suspension bridge. We had time to view the Grinnel Falls that comes into this lake, Salamander Glacier and the people who are hiking all the way to Grinnel Glacier (they are very high on the side of the mountain and look tiny.) We reversed the trip ending at Many Glacier Hotel.
Paulette chose the next short trail which was a "--- kicker." It has to be straight up, I think. Actually, the hike starts by crossing a meadow. The mountains closest are Altyn Peak and Apikuni Mountain to the north. There are still a lot of wildflowers even in September. The trail enters into the forest of lodge pole pines. As the trail climbs steadily (strenuous for me at the altitude gain in such a short? distance of a mile) subalpine fir become common. The hike ends at the falls with a good view of Apikuni Creek as it drains Natahki Lake. These are like in a basin on the east side of Mount Henkel. Mount Henkel is closed to hikers due to bear foraging for winter berries and other goodies. It was "kicker" for me and my quadriceps barked for hours.
Reports of a moose cow being at Fishcap Lake and even though my legs were hardly moveable, we went, big lens around our necks but no pack or walking sticks. Yes, she was there in the lake enjoying a little munch time on lake grasses. We watched her for a long time and took way too many photos ~ loved every minute of it. We had a quick pizza at the Lodge and hurried to another Ranger Talk on How the Park has Changed Treatment of the Animals Through Time. We had one more stop for entertainment and choose to forget that and take the 2 old broads to bed.
Night Night from the Stumblers.