Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park

Well today is the day I make it to Glacier National Park.  I was pretty tired from my travels and had considered not coming to here.  I know a lot of people who have been out west who don’t make it to Glacier because its a lot further out of the way then most are willing to travel.  Currently I am in Kalispell, Montana.  I am staying in the Travel Lodge here.  Soon I will set out for the park.

Wow, this blows away everything I have seen before.  It is just the best.  I can’t believe how large everything is, it really puts things into perspective.  I have bypassed Avalanche Falls and plan to go through there on my way home.  I am currently at Logan Pass getting ready for the hike to Hidden Lake. 

I hiked to the Hidden Lake overlook it was spectacular if I was in a bit better shape and had more time I would have hiked all three miles to the foot of the lake but it is quite a hike.  Along the way you see colombian ground squirrels and mountain goats.  On the way back from the trail I was able to photograph a mountain goat and her kidd from about 50 feet away.  When I got back to the parking area there was a big horn sheep crossing Logan pass.  It has been very exciting.

I met some photographers on the trail and one suggested if I want to photograph grizzlies from the safety of my car to head up to Many Glacier which is a different entrance to the park.  This is getting close to Canada and should be close to where I want to be anyway.

I am in Many Glacier, it was really too dark to see anything so no grizzly photos today, maybe tomorrow.  There wasn’t any space at the inn which is pretty standard for park (Xanterra) run facilities.  I ended up finding what appears to be the last campsite in the camping area.  Site #2 right near the entrance, which has all the lights from the cars shining on it as they arrive to the campgrounds.  I don’t mind it means a grizzly isn’t likely to want hang around my site.  I have made a dinner of baked beans, vegetarian hotdogs (Big Franks), and Grape Jelly (don’t knock it till you’ve tried it), all mixed up in a cast iron skillet and cooked over the campfire.  I always forget how good veggie hotdogs are and it is nice that they don’t spoil since they are in a can.