Have started backtracking, to slowly start making my way south. Stayed two days at St. Mary Campground at Glacier National Park with the goal of walking the Hidden Lake Overlook trail from Logan Pass. Took the shuttle up to Logan Pass at 8:00 am. There were not a lot of people there that early and the weather was fantastic. When I stopped by here about a month ago, it was really hot.
Top picture, Hidden Lake as viewed from the overlook.
Second picture, some people take advantage of a photo opportunity at the start of the trail. The trail is 90% on a wood boardwalk.
Third picture, the wildflowers were just breathtaking.
One of the reasons I wanted to take this hike, was to see some mountain goats. You are rewarded after a 1.5 mile uphill hike by both the view and by mountain goats. This mother and baby must be the site mascots. They stay at arms length and don’t beg, but they are definitely used to people. The mom was shedding her outer coat.
Hoary marmot
Looking down the trail as a mist rolls in. It is just 1.5 miles (3 miles roundtrip) to the overlook, but it really had me huffing and puffing. Had to sit down a few times. On the way down, when it was getting crowded with a lot of people just starting the hike, saw I was not the only one to be challenged. Definitely glad to have had the cooler weather.
Read an article in the Los Angeles Times that listed Glacier National Park as one of the lesser known and visited national parks. You could not tell this by the crowds that I saw. When I took the shuttle back down to the campground from Logan Pass, the parking lot was jammed, with a lot of honking horns. All the turnouts were also filled with cars. You have to get out early or late to avoid the crowds. The campgrounds also regularly fill up. They have a website that shows the open and full campgrounds in real time. It would be good to check this out before you come.
I might have stayed more than two days, but there was a severe weather alert for 2 to 7 inches of rain, hail, and thunderstorms. Next year would like to stay a week or two.
Congratulations to Bai Yun, the 17-year-old female panda at the San Diego Zoo. She gave birth to her 5th cub this week. The zoo has a webcam of her and her newest offspring. The picture above is of her and Zhen Zhen (her 4th cub).
