Glacier National Park: A Few Great Glaciers Remain

Our next stop, and back in the US after 10 days, was Many Glacier Valley on the east side of Glacier National Park.  We were meeting Alisa and Joe here for several days of hiking and wildlife viewing and hanging out.  We crossed the border early and found the Park Cafe for coffee and breakfast.  We noted their motto:  Pie for Strength and vowed to return for another meal that could feature pie.

The campground had several empty sites; everyone seemed to be drying out their tents and gear from a real gully washer night of storms.  We got settled and headed out on the Grinnell Glacier Trail.  Per the ranger, there was snow only at the end of the trail!  We had a fabulous hike!

Plenty of Water in the Creeks

Snowy Lake Edge

Crossing the Creek on a swingy bridge:  1 person at a time and hold on!

Snowy Trail

Shrinking Grinnell Glacier

A Mini-Bench for Hikers

A Moose Headed down the trail and ambled up the meadow!  YEAH a MOOSE!

A side trail was full of waterfalls and grizzlies!

We returned from our hike and went to the hotel to meet up with Alisa and Joe:  only no Alisa and Joe.  They had left a message with the hotel:  due to severe hailstorm in Denver their flight (and many others) was cancelled; they were still in Denver and coming the next day.  Well, we were sorry for their misfortune and having our time together cut drastically, BUT, we could use the hotel room.  So we had dinner in the campground and then settled into the hotel with no worry about any rain or wind.

Alisa and Joe did arrive safely the next day after a very long drive from Missoula.  But we instantly hit the trails and opted to walk up towards Iceberg Lake.  Another great trail, and with better weather, I can confirm there are some incredible mountains, waterfalls, and glaciers at Glacier National Park.

Alisa and Joe are ready for the trail

Sisters on the Trail

Creek

Waterfall

We had PIE for dinner (just kidding) and left the next morning for the drive to West Glacier over the Going to the Sun Road.  What a road!  And what a lot of snow.  Actually the road had just opened, the lastest opening of the road since being built.  A truly great and spectacular drive and we had gorgeous weather.  Along the way we hiked to St Mary's and Virginia Falls.  

Ready for the Hike

River

Waterfall:  Top of St Mary's

Forest and Creek

Bryan and Joe playing hike and seek

Virginia Falls

Water, Rocks, and BLUE Sky

THUMBS UP across the bridge

The Going to the Sun Road; well, it is amazing.   At Logan Pass, there was still enough snow for skiers.

Peaks and Glaciers

Mountains, Snow, Trees

Not for the Weak at Heart

Let's Go Skiing -- NOT

Water Flowing East or West 

Washing off the cars

Lake MacDonald, western/lower/warmer side of Glacier

Can You Read the ENTIRE sign?

Team Wulzen

We all drove on down to Missoula for the night.  It was a very short but memorable snippet on our Rockies vacation.  We definitely were thrilled with our time in Many Glacier Valley/Glacier National Park:  so many hikes to experience, glaciers and lakes to explore, and lots of wildlife to observe.  Yet another place to say:  We'll be Back.