Glacier National Park

We arrived at the park and set up our tent just as the sun went down.  Our first experiences were a little glum.  We drove around around looking for a campsite in the armada of RV's and after getting the tent out we were soon told that we couldn't use our little stove by the lake.  Then it rained during the night and was pretty cloudy and drizzly in the morning.  So, we were a little grumpy and bummed at the start of the day's adventure.

Things started to change pretty quickly though once we started hiking.  We hiked about a mile into a pine forest that was really nice.  The "Bear Country" signs were a little scary, but there were a lot of other hikers around, so we weren't too nervous.  In the forest you couldn't tell what the weather was anyway, so that was pretty nice.





Later we took the "Going to the Sun Road."  This road is a real accomplishment, and it is full of amazing views.  The best part of the trip yesterday was the trail to the Hidden Lake.  First you take the Going to the Sun Road up high into the mountains, and then you hike out from there.  I don't think my photos or descriptions can really do this trail justice.  There are ponds, valleys, meadows, and more mountains all up there, all world above our own.  We were at the level of the clouds and not only watched a cloud engulf a nearby mountain top, but it engulfed us too.  This trail was cold and it rained and even hailed, but neither Emily or I would have traded it for anything.  The trail led to a lookout with a view of a hidden valley and a hidden lake.  The view was so expansive that even my wide angle lens couldn't get most of it.  I made a montage that shows a bit of what it looked like.

After being soaking wet and cold, we decided to spend the night in a bed and breakfast.  I'm glad we did because it snowed all last night and has only just finished.  It is September and it looks like Christmas.  We are getting a very late start today and are a little reluctant to go hiking.