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Sunday, October 07, 2012

More from Glacier National Park

September 17th was our second day at Glacier National Park. We decided to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road again, as far as Logan Pass. This was partly because we wanted to see that portion of the road in the morning light since the afternoon light of the previous day hadn't been ideal for photography, but it was also because we wanted to hike the trail to Hidden Lake, which began just behind the Visitor Center at Logan Pass.



I meant to include the above photo in the previous post, because that's when it was taken, but I somehow missed it in that post. We had driven down North McDonald Road, and the dust raised by a passing car combined with the sun shining through the trees to make an enchanting picture.


Above is one of the Red Buses that are available to provide tours of Glacier National Park for those who would prefer to enjoy the scenery without the distraction of paying attention to their driving. These buses have been serving Park visitors since 1936. The buses of today are basically the same buses, having been completely renovated and restored. The drivers of these buses are called "Jammers" by the locals, a name which carries over from the days when the buses had manual transmissions and the drivers could be heard "jamming" the gears as they drove the steep and winding Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Clemments Mountain at Logan Pass

Along the trail to Hidden Lake

Mountain goat seen near the trail to Hidden Lake

Trail to Hidden Lake (looking back from whence we came)

A panoramic view of Hidden Lake 

The hike to the Hidden Lake overlook is 1.5 miles (2.4 km). The uphill grade is gentle, but the elevation of nearly 7,000 feet (2,134 m) makes it difficult for those who aren't used to it. And, since I live at an elevation of approximately 750 feet, I was struggling for breath much of the way.

After we had reached the overlook and taken our fill of photos, we turned to start the hike back down. A young woman, probably in her thirties, was just arriving at the overlook. She looked kindly at me and said, "You did well."

Until I let my hair return to its natural gray color, no one ever complimented me for a successful hike .


We saw this Hoary Marmot on our way back down from Hidden Lake. It looks as if he's been successfuly "porking up" for a long winter hibernation.


20 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures but I don't see any glaciers. Have they all melted?

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    1. As I understand it, Stephen, the Park was so named because it was believed that the mountains there had been carved by glaciers. There is one good-sized glacier, Jackson Glacier, that can be viewed from Going-to-the-Sun Road. We just didn’t get a photograph of it on this trip.

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  2. Those are gorgeous pictures. I have been through that area,but obviously have not seen nearly everything there is to see.Yes,those white hair gets one some interesting comments.

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    1. We haven’t seen everything there is to see, either, Ruth. And it’s been 24 years since we’ve visited the Canadian side of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.

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  3. What beautiful finds, I am always amazed at the beauty in this park.

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  4. the light coming through the trees in the top shot is amazing!
    I love the montain goat, very chubby - I always imagined them as scrawny :)

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    1. Dianne, I was surprised at how bulky the mountain goat was, too. Maybe it's partly due to the thickening of his coat in preparation for winter. But maybe we just have a wrong picture in our minds. :)

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  5. you're so cute with your beautiful white hair. :)

    love that mountain goat! looks so fluffy and white! such gorgeous scenes. i like that tour bus, too. very cool.

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    1. Thanks, Tex. :) I thought the tour bus looked interesting, too. The folks riding them all looked like they were having a great time.

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  6. That first image is wonderful. Perfect, dusty rays. Love the goat and marmot.. what a thrill to see critters we don't ordinarily see. And that stunning panoramic shot.. wow.

    And you look like a young puppy no matter the hair colour.

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    1. Thanks for such kind words, Hilary, my friend. Not so sure about that “young puppy” comment, but it was nice of you to say it. ;)

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  7. Whoa, Linda! These are fantastic! Especially that first shot. I'm so glad you included how you captured the sun's rays. The Jammer looks like he couldn't help enjoying the scenery since his eyes weren't exactly on the road. Looks like a fun trip with beautiful vistas.

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    1. Gail, I appreciate your generous praise. That Jammer had pulled over to the side, and I think he was checking traffic before pulling back out. But I suspect they do enjoy the scenery while they're working.

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  8. This post has made me want to visit Glacier more than ever. I think I would enjoy the hike to Hidden Lake, although I've found hiking at that altitude to be more difficult than it is here in Tennessee. But there is so much beauty to see that I want to do it anyway.

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    1. I’ve read that the hike to Hidden Lake is possibly the most popular hike in the park because it’s relatively “easy.” It’s true that the path is good, but it IS uphill all the way, even if gently. Still, after seeing all the hiking that you and Betsy did on your recent trip, I don’t think this would be too much of a challenge for you.

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  9. Ha Ha.... Did you LIMP for that young woman????? You could have showed her your false teeth.... Tee Hee..... Truly--you are NOT that old. Your hair is gorgeous and very becoming on you...

    Seeing your photos of that area makes me sure that we need to get there sometime. Just Beautiful.... Thanks, Linda.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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    1. It might have been the red face and the gasping for air that prompted that kind remark from the young woman. :)

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  10. To be a fine-looking-bus driver in this stunning scenery compared to being a bus driver in a congested city... who could opt for the latter? :)

    The Hidden Lake was definitely worthy of finding, impressive panorama. And the Marmot looks like enjoying the sun rays and their warmth, it's cute.

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    1. I completely agree, Petra...I'd much rather be driving a tour bus in the magnificent scenery of a national park than in a congested city. Hidden Lake was breathtakingly beautiful. (Of course, the elevation took our breath away, too.) :)

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