Glacier Weekend
A long anticipated weekend in the high country finally met its culmination this past weekend. Time off was taken, dogs and cats accounted for, and a three-day weekend was planned and executed. The destination, Glacier National Park. A place I seem to need to spend time in at least once a year. It's like the coast, you can't be away too long before you need to return. Perhaps reaffirming to yourself that it's still there...perhaps just being selfish and wanting to get away from work and society...perhaps for no reason at all. Perhaps it's just so incredible that you feel an inward desire just to SEE it again.
The trek over there began by going north from Coeur d'Alene and heading through Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, Troy, Libby, Kalispell, etc. That turned into a LOOONG drive. Mapquest said 4.5 hours...well, it took 6. They must not account for bathroom breaks, old and slow drivers holding up 7 vehicles, scenery, etc. But, coming into Kalispell from the west we were greeted by views of the Mission and Swan ranges...and the goal...Glacier! Picking up groceries in Columbia Falls, we passed the entrance in record time and found a campsite. Time to go to the lake and get a glimpse of what was to come early Saturday morning.
Lake McDonald
Photograph of the photographer photographing Lake McDonald
Interesting mushrooms
A little closer
So, standing by the lake, taking photos of the mountains and mushrooms...there was this sound drifting around. What is that? Sounded like a trombone? A tuba? Some kind of instrument. Perhaps someone has seen these two characters on the webcam because we could see them standing there by the shore, playing their very best. Sorry for the criticism, but a.) You need more practice and b.) The sun setting on Lake McDonald is no place for a session.
It was funny, sad, and annoying all at the same time. But, it meant something to someone. We heard clapping and saw the flashes of cameras, felt bad for laughing at the attempt because perhaps it was a tribute to someone who died. Who knows. But it happened and we were there.
That night led us battling a drunken party adjacent to us in the campground. The last I heard was two guys up and probably telling one another they loved the other at 2:30 a.m. Fortunately, at roughly the same time I sat up in my sleeping bag. A ringing recognition crossed my eardrums. Straining against the hearty laughter I heard it! An elk bugle! The very first I've heard this year! I went back to sleep disheartened at the extraneous noise and the thrill at hearing the bull. I knew the ridge where the sound was coming from and wanted to take off in the blackness and take in what that bull was experiencing.
But the morning began with a HEARTY breakfast of bacon, eggs, and taters. Topped with strong coffee and a roaring fire...it made for a good start to a good day. Even leaving the campground we ran into a little bull moose. Made me think about my coming season for that species arriving quickly...very quickly. But, I pushed that out of my head.
Drove up the lake and the river in a crowd. Came to find out later that this weekend was the last the Lodge would be open. Perhaps that's why the large crowd? Maybe it was because of the late summer? Who knows. It got kinda annoying with all the traffic, but....it is what it is I guess.
Driving up river
That one peak
So, driving up Going to the Sun road turned into an adventure with all the traffic. There was a stop sign that kept us all in line...all 25+ cars. "No stopping for 1 mile" it said. So, tailed, following, etc all the way to the top of Logan Pass basically. The lot was full of people. It was funny, you could tell the ones prepared to hike and the ones who were just there to say they made it by the clothing. One thing though was the WIND! I wish I had the kestrel up there, it was blowing hard enough it made it difficult to remain motionless for a camera shot and also to stay warm. I wonder what the windchill was because the thermometer at the visitor center said something like 48 degrees. Chilly. But, we got hiking toward Hidden Lake with everyone else and warmed up.
Bear Cap mountain
Sarah enjoying Bear Cap. I'm very excited about this photo! LOVE IT.
Coming down from Hidden Lake overlook. VIVID.
Approaching Logan Pass looking toward St. Mary's Lake
HAVE to take this photo at Logan Pass (if it's your first time)
But, we hadn't had enough of the pass, so we took off on the Highline Trail.
Kinda neat how it's carved out of the cliff
Wildlife photography
This was the elusive fella in question. Begging
Proceeding along the trail we saw some goats up on the slopes above us. Then past a group that told us about the Bighorns coming up within 1/2 a mile! We moved a little quicker toward Haystack to catch up with them. Turns out there was no worry, they bedded down about thirty to forty yards from the trail! Good photo opportunity, makes me wish I had an even better camera and a nice tripod!
Enjoying the sun
Big 'ol Ram
Haystack
Another Haystack view
Stopping point. Can't ask for too much better!
We left the Highline because it was getting a little late. Had trouble with the time because of the time-change coming into Montana. We wanted to think it was earlier than in was! But, our anticipated dinner at the Lake McDonald Lodge worked out well and we ended up back at camp with full bellies and a lot of thoughts.
The weekend was concluded with a four and a half our drive back to Coeur d'Alene via St. Regis. A nice drive with less traffic, but still hard to leave a good weekend. Interrupted only by helping a turtle cross the road. The pond WAS greener on the other side.
Some things bothered me about this weekend though. I saw a kid on the trail to the Hidden Lake overlook...in Glacier National Park...on the top of Logan Pass...wearing his earphones while hiking. Then, Saturday night on a dark walk around closed sections of the campground (fun to walk in the dark) we saw a guy in a car. His tent was up, there was no fire. But he was sitting in his car....ON HIS COMPUTER. We heard people getting text messages on their cellphones in camp. We heard people on speaker phone via a cellphone in camp. We had traffic jams. We saw drunken stupid behavior. The "line" to get seated at the Lodge had the only three people behind us standing within (at least my) bubble. What's the rush? Why bring all that to a place where it's meant that you leave it behind?
I feel like Glacier is a place to leave that kind of life for a little bit. A place to escape to. A place where you can hear, see, and feel small. That's just me I guess.
The trek over there began by going north from Coeur d'Alene and heading through Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, Troy, Libby, Kalispell, etc. That turned into a LOOONG drive. Mapquest said 4.5 hours...well, it took 6. They must not account for bathroom breaks, old and slow drivers holding up 7 vehicles, scenery, etc. But, coming into Kalispell from the west we were greeted by views of the Mission and Swan ranges...and the goal...Glacier! Picking up groceries in Columbia Falls, we passed the entrance in record time and found a campsite. Time to go to the lake and get a glimpse of what was to come early Saturday morning.
Lake McDonald
Photograph of the photographer photographing Lake McDonald
Interesting mushrooms
A little closer
So, standing by the lake, taking photos of the mountains and mushrooms...there was this sound drifting around. What is that? Sounded like a trombone? A tuba? Some kind of instrument. Perhaps someone has seen these two characters on the webcam because we could see them standing there by the shore, playing their very best. Sorry for the criticism, but a.) You need more practice and b.) The sun setting on Lake McDonald is no place for a session.
It was funny, sad, and annoying all at the same time. But, it meant something to someone. We heard clapping and saw the flashes of cameras, felt bad for laughing at the attempt because perhaps it was a tribute to someone who died. Who knows. But it happened and we were there.
That night led us battling a drunken party adjacent to us in the campground. The last I heard was two guys up and probably telling one another they loved the other at 2:30 a.m. Fortunately, at roughly the same time I sat up in my sleeping bag. A ringing recognition crossed my eardrums. Straining against the hearty laughter I heard it! An elk bugle! The very first I've heard this year! I went back to sleep disheartened at the extraneous noise and the thrill at hearing the bull. I knew the ridge where the sound was coming from and wanted to take off in the blackness and take in what that bull was experiencing.
But the morning began with a HEARTY breakfast of bacon, eggs, and taters. Topped with strong coffee and a roaring fire...it made for a good start to a good day. Even leaving the campground we ran into a little bull moose. Made me think about my coming season for that species arriving quickly...very quickly. But, I pushed that out of my head.
Drove up the lake and the river in a crowd. Came to find out later that this weekend was the last the Lodge would be open. Perhaps that's why the large crowd? Maybe it was because of the late summer? Who knows. It got kinda annoying with all the traffic, but....it is what it is I guess.
Driving up river
That one peak
So, driving up Going to the Sun road turned into an adventure with all the traffic. There was a stop sign that kept us all in line...all 25+ cars. "No stopping for 1 mile" it said. So, tailed, following, etc all the way to the top of Logan Pass basically. The lot was full of people. It was funny, you could tell the ones prepared to hike and the ones who were just there to say they made it by the clothing. One thing though was the WIND! I wish I had the kestrel up there, it was blowing hard enough it made it difficult to remain motionless for a camera shot and also to stay warm. I wonder what the windchill was because the thermometer at the visitor center said something like 48 degrees. Chilly. But, we got hiking toward Hidden Lake with everyone else and warmed up.
Bear Cap mountain
Sarah enjoying Bear Cap. I'm very excited about this photo! LOVE IT.
Coming down from Hidden Lake overlook. VIVID.
Approaching Logan Pass looking toward St. Mary's Lake
HAVE to take this photo at Logan Pass (if it's your first time)
But, we hadn't had enough of the pass, so we took off on the Highline Trail.
Kinda neat how it's carved out of the cliff
Wildlife photography
This was the elusive fella in question. Begging
Proceeding along the trail we saw some goats up on the slopes above us. Then past a group that told us about the Bighorns coming up within 1/2 a mile! We moved a little quicker toward Haystack to catch up with them. Turns out there was no worry, they bedded down about thirty to forty yards from the trail! Good photo opportunity, makes me wish I had an even better camera and a nice tripod!
Enjoying the sun
Big 'ol Ram
Haystack
Another Haystack view
Stopping point. Can't ask for too much better!
We left the Highline because it was getting a little late. Had trouble with the time because of the time-change coming into Montana. We wanted to think it was earlier than in was! But, our anticipated dinner at the Lake McDonald Lodge worked out well and we ended up back at camp with full bellies and a lot of thoughts.
The weekend was concluded with a four and a half our drive back to Coeur d'Alene via St. Regis. A nice drive with less traffic, but still hard to leave a good weekend. Interrupted only by helping a turtle cross the road. The pond WAS greener on the other side.
Some things bothered me about this weekend though. I saw a kid on the trail to the Hidden Lake overlook...in Glacier National Park...on the top of Logan Pass...wearing his earphones while hiking. Then, Saturday night on a dark walk around closed sections of the campground (fun to walk in the dark) we saw a guy in a car. His tent was up, there was no fire. But he was sitting in his car....ON HIS COMPUTER. We heard people getting text messages on their cellphones in camp. We heard people on speaker phone via a cellphone in camp. We had traffic jams. We saw drunken stupid behavior. The "line" to get seated at the Lodge had the only three people behind us standing within (at least my) bubble. What's the rush? Why bring all that to a place where it's meant that you leave it behind?
I feel like Glacier is a place to leave that kind of life for a little bit. A place to escape to. A place where you can hear, see, and feel small. That's just me I guess.
posted by geotracker12 at 4:33 PM
1 Comments:
Tom,
In your picture "wildlife photography", the gap in the distant skyline is Swiftcurrent Pass and Granite Chalet is right below it. -----just over this one more ridge.
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