We traveled from Yellowstone to Glacier NP in Montana on Sunday 6/1. The weather continued to be difficult. We had rain the last part of the trip and set up in the rain. What we found out is that Glacier is very much a hikers park; and because of the massive amounts of snow they received this past winter, the main road through the park is still closed. Because of this, you are unable to go to the other side of the park or reach Logans Pass which is the highest point in the park.
From the west side, we are able to go past a beautiful glacial lake into the western part of the park. We dodged the rain and were able to do a short hike called, The Trail of the Cedars, which is as far up the "Going to the Sun Road" that we could go on the west side. The rivers are totally swollen from the glacier and snow melt. We were told that this area of the mountains had so much snow, it was 200% of normal. A good sign for the global warming folks.
On Tuesday 6/3 we moved to the East side of the park to a KOA campground near Saint Mary, Montana. From here we were able to go into the park at two different locations. We also were able to cross the Canadian border and visit the Canadian NP that borders Glacier NP. We have hiked all but one day and have seen a wide variety of wildlife. Yesterday we saw our first black bear in Waterton Lakes NP (The Canadian Park). There is a little town in this park that is very serene and a giant hotel called the Prince of Wales Hotel. There is wildlife all around this town, as well as, out on the roads. We saw mule deer, mountain goats, ground squirrels, birds, and of course the black bear.
Today we hiked about 5 miles to a place called Red Rock Falls. There was a beautiful lake there with water as clear as I've ever seen. We saw Mule deer and sheep on the trail; and on the way out of the park we saw our first ever Grizzly. He was just a little guy but still a very exciting moment. Eileen is becoming quit the wildlife finder. She spotted this guy back in the woods. We were the first to stop but in a short period of time we had quite a road block as everyone stopped. The Rangers finally came and got everyone back into their cars. It is a beautiful animal.
We have had two pretty good weather days and we are hoping that the next week stays the same. Tomorrow we head for Banff, Alberta Canada. We probably won't have Internet for the next 8-10 days so I will have to catch up once we are back in the states.
Glacier has been another very interesting and different experience. We didn't see Glaciers because they are still covered with snow pact but we did get to hike a lot and the wildlife viewing was marvelous.
Enjoy the pictures. If you are ever planning to come to Glacier I would suggest that you come mid July to the end of August.
Off to Canada.
Life is Great!!!!
Bill and Eileen
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