Continuing our trip. Monday we drove up the east side of Glacier and got our first view of Grizzley Bears, a mom and cub nibbling on a tree by the side of the road (pic 1). Before I could get our camera set up they were not as close so the pic is hard to see. It got pretty rainy and windy so we got in out of the storm at Many Glacier Lodge right on a beautiful lake with peaks surrounding it, really amazing. From there we hiked up to Apekuni Falls (pic 2). the fall cascading down into the river that was full of sparkling multicolored rocks. We went back through St Mary's and again ate at the little hole-in-the-wall restaurant, Jack's Cafe/World Famous Pies and this time we had to try the pies - we highly recommend them. We stayed @ the Rising Sun Motor Inn on the Going to the Sun Road and saw an amazing sunset (pic 3).
Tuesday was the big day that I had been looking forward to. We woke up to patches of clouds but the rain had subsided. However, going back across the Going to the Sun Road was another memorable experience. We got up @ 6:00 to get there early enough to catch our horsebackride so the tops of the mountains were still shrouded in misty clouds. So at times we could barely see in front of us; Ev said it actually kept him from seeing the drop-off so it wasn't as scary (plus we were on the inside on the way back for most of the ride). Due to the mist our drive took longer than expected, but we made it in time to get breakfast and catch our ride. The horses were different, shall we say; they were a cross between a quarterhorse and a Clydesdale. They were transportation and kept us fresh for the hike out in the morning. The trip up was a tour through the habitats in the park starting with Pacific Northwest rainforest with Cedars draped with moss and dense undergrowth, through pines and Aspen, to steep rocky ledges of rockslides, tundra, and mountain goats. Still several miles from our destination we got our first view of the Sperry Chalet (reachable only on foot or horesback) sitting on a ridge with a sheer drop off across the valley from us. (pic 4)
Upon arrival we investigated the area and local wildlife (pic 5) and relaxed 'on top of the world.' Our dinner there was sumptuous Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings prepared on propane stoves/ovens and served by propane lamp light.
The next morning was the start of another full day: up early for breakfast and the hike back out the 6.5 mi back to McDonald Lake Lodge and to our car to head home. We took a different route home past Flathead Lake and through Idaho to Driggs to meet TX neighbors Larry & Gail & Grant and stay overnight with them.
Travellogue to continue with next posting.
1 comment:
Wow, what a view! Looks amazing.
Post a Comment