Glacier National Park: Day 3
6/26
In the morning Kimberly packed up the pet pose and headed off to Yellowstone. We said our goodbyes and I headed out to hit the trails. The first hike I took was the Avalanche lake trail. The area was already bustling with people at 5:30am and I was lucky to find a parking space. I’ll take a moment to note that Glacier national park is definitely a driving park. Most National parks are, and I wouldn’t suggest that it is as necessary as Yellowstone or Yosemite it’s entirely necessary to have a car with you. Anyway, I was able to find a parking space luckily and headed out on the trail. It was a beautiful Hike culminating in a gorgeous Lake surrounded by cliffs, fed by multiple waterfalls.
After the first 6 miles of hiking I was ready for some more. I headed back up the go-to-the-sun road one more time to take the Hidden Lake trail. When I arrived at Logan’s pass it was around 11am and the parking lot was already bustling. My favorite site was a couple of dudes in the back of their truck with a sign stating “Trade Parking Space for Beer”. I got lucky and did not need to surrender any of my reserves. I packed up my hiking pack and since it looked as though there was snow on the trail I put on my water proof boots. The boots are heavy and I thought they might be overkill, but boy am I glad I did it. As I stomped up the first slushy hill of many I watched people scrambling in chucks and sandals falling on their faces. I was also very thankful that my hiking poles were still in my pack keeping me for the same fate. As I hiked higher and further trying to avoid the bumbling crowd around me, my mind went to my Uncle who had owned the boots I was wearing before me. They were one of several items I acquired following his passing several years back and I remember at the time being surprised by their quality and fit. I’m not sure that they are really meant for snow, he spent more time in desert climates, but either way they seemed to be perfect for the journey I was on and I felt grateful that they had made through the several rounds of cuts I’d made on the gear in my overloaded car.
I made it to the Overlook portion of the hike where you get your first glimps of th “Hidden Lake”. A large lake lay in a valley below still ¾ covered in ice. I was tired and All trails listed the next section as strenuous, but I know I would not forgive myself if I turned back now. I forged ahead down the trail passing mountain goats and Marmots. I hit the first turn into the steep switchbacks leading to the lack. I hate switchbacks! I sat on a rock to rest and consider the journey and a couple around my age were heading back up clearly a bit winded. I ask “Is it worth it”, “YES!” they replied. They said that it’s rough on the way back but the area is beautiful and suggested that I jump in the lake. They also said I made the right decision bringing the pools. So, I stood up and headed down. The view of the canyon walls rising as I headed downhill was amazing and the lake was beautiful. I stepped into the lack and realized that it was way to icy for my southern California ass to dip in fully, but it certainly helped my aching feet. I chilled for about an hour watching fellow travelers skip stones and brave the chilly water. Then I changed into some shorts and headed back. The vertical climb was rough and required me to take several breaks, but that is the beauty of solo hiking. While you don’t have anyone to challenge you, you can take your time. After completing the switchbacks the remainder of the return hike (about 2 miles) was not a problem. I finished it off with a celebratory Montucky ale and headed back to camp.
On the way back down go-to-the-sun road I pulled over to rest a bit. After 12 miles of hiking and a couple hours of driving I needed to get some shut eye. Backed into a spot between a few cars on a turn off by a waterfall and began to relax. When I noticed a bit of a hubub going on outside. So I stepped up and turned around. This is when I realized that there was a bear about 80 feet up the hill behind my car. It was a crazy site. I saw a few bars as I drove around on the roads of Yellowstone in July of 2020, but this one was much bigger and much closer than those. I took some time observing and once it started to move further down the hill I decided it was time to be off.
Back at camp I took a brief nap, then headed back out of the park to grab a pint at the bar. I met the bartender Mikey who was a seasonal worker from Jackson Wyoming. I have to say that each one of these people I meet, the more and more I wonder if the seasonal park work lifestyle might be good for me. The peaceful atmosphere was broken by a drunk guy who wandered in and was yelling about how much he hated the park. He was from Michigan and could not get over how many rules there were in a national park. He went on and on about how many campgrounds were closed and the fact that the shuttle through the park was not operating. After he left I apologized to the locals at the bar letting them know that as an outsider I did not agree at all. The park was absolutely gorgeous and the fact that government cutbacks had lessened access and amenities in the park was not the fault of any of the people who work tirelessly in and around the park. Shame on Mr. Michigan for showing so little class and not appreciating the beauty of this place. I for one will hold my memories strongly in my heart and look forward to returning one day to see the eastern side.
