GLACIER PARK -- PHOTO TRIBUTE FOR 2013

This is the last weekend that the Going-to-the-Sun road will be open (at least to the Big Bend).  And a big "thank you" (NOT) to everyone in Congress who decided to shut down the government.  It cut short what is always a beautiful time of year in Glacier -- FALL!!  The weather has been beautiful with sunny days, cool temperatures, and the green of summer turning to the yellow of fall.

So I offer another alternative, which is a wonderful web site that is written by my friend Jessie Krakosky.  We worked together as volunteers in the Apgar Visitor Center on Sunday, along with friend Ranger Sarah Dix.  Jessie spends the week working at the Lake McDonald Lodge, and her free time hiking with her boyfriend Drew, Sarah, and other friends.  She is an avid hiker, and each Sunday I would ask where they had hiked and got information on great spots in Glacier that I could share with visitors.  Due to my arthritic ankle and healing knee, I just cannot hike as far or as high as they can go.  So I live vicariously through them.

The web site is http://livetheadventures.weebly.com.  Jessie documents all her hikes in Glacier, and she is a wonderful photographer -- beautiful pictures.  Please visit the site -- you'll feel like you have been on some of the highest peaks in Glacier.  

So a little parting tribute to some of the sights I enjoyed this year.  First....some of the "other" animals/birds that you can see in the park. 

Chipmunk paying on scree in Logan Pass

Common Loon (Kintla Lake)

 

 

 

Bald Eagle (Big Prairie)

Columbian Ground Squirrel ( Logan Pass - they are everywhere at Logan)

Hoary Marmot (Trail to Hidden Lake Overlook)

Hoary Marmot (Siyeh Bend)

Glacier is a national park because of the indescrible beauty that is found in the mountains.  These are just a few of the pictures I took during 2013, and I share them with you.

Avalanche Creek washing down from the mountains (the argillite or mudstone has been made smooth by the continuous rushing water)

Kintla Lake (4th largest lake in Glacier)

Hidden Lake Overlook (Bearhat Mt. is the dominant mountant at 8674 ft with Gunsight Mt. to the left at 9258 ft.)

Logan Pass Meadows

Many Glacier (most beautiful spot in the park)

Pompelly Peak in Two Medicine

Heavy Runner Mountain (8016 ft) was named for a Blackfeet Indian chief, who was killed in 1870.
Heavy Runner was killed as he left his lodge with his gift of an American flag given to him as a promise for his camp's safety.

The start of the Highline Trail, one of my favorite hikes in Glacier.  It's at the highest point of the road (approx. 6600 ft.) and is carved along the Garden Wall.  Fabulous views.

East Glacier

Wild Goose Island

Rainbow Island in St. Mary's Lake

While Glacier is known for mountains and glaciers, it has some beautiful waterfalls.  Here are some of my favorites (and of course, these are the waterfalls I can hike to -- many more beautiful falls than what I have here).

 Running Eagle Falls (also known as Trick Falls) in Two Medicine

Bridge at the bottom of St. Mary's Falls (sometimes helps to have a human in photo to give perspective)

St. Mary's Falls

Virginia Falls

Twin Falls (Two Medicine) must be seen in the spring to have the water at the highest level