“Wet” and “Wild”

 

“Wet” and “Wild”

We have had a fun week here in Glacier National Park. Our theme this week seems to be “wet” (waterfall hikes) and “wild” (wildlfe and wildflowers). The photo above is St. Mary falls.

We have been trying to get out and get some exercise each day, even when we are working. We figure maybe then we will be able to take these creaky bodies on some longer hikes by the end of the summer. So, one morning we decided to visit St. Mary falls and Virginia falls. It was only a little over three miles round trip, so we had time to hike, and then get ready for work later in the day. That beautiful double rainbow in the falls was one of our rewards. 

We were having a grand hike enjoying our waterfall fun, met our two lady bosses on the trail, and were heading back when we had the experience of seeing a bear near the trail. While caution was in order, we were with several other people who had stopped to photograph the big guy, and he (or she) was calmly walking and foraging. We kept slowly walking away, but at the same time, Glen was snapping photos as we moved along the trail. We have a nice telephoto lens, so we are not as close as it looks.

We continued along our way, warned any hikers we saw that were going in that direction, and finished up a wonderful hike. This trail was through a section of the park that burned last summer. While it changes the complexion of the area, it had a different kind of beauty and opened up views that we otherwise would  not have seen.

 

Next, we headed to the Two Medicine section of the park to hike a section of the Pitamaken Pass trail. We knew we were not up to the whole thing yet, but also knew the lower section should have some pretty wildflowers and we would also get some mountain views. We went out and back about five miles. As expected, we got some pretty things to look at.

One section of trail had a huge mass of fur all over it. Looked like bear fur to us. We wondered if maybe one was rubbing on the big trees beside the trail to shed a winter coat. We are not sure if you will be able to see it in the photo, but mixed into the pine needles is a great deal of fur.

We think we even found a ptarmigan on our way out! Although Glen insists on pronouncing it Pa-tarmigan….like an eighth grader.

Those five miles were followed by a gentle six mile hike the next day. In the spirit of trying something new, Glen took Terry on a trail she had never gone on before. He had run on it a few times the last time we were here. We also discovered (actually this is a common occurrence and pet-peeve about hiking trail signs) that the distance of one part of the trail (a loop) was listed as nine tenths of a mile shorter than it actually was. We hike with gps watches so we can tell how far we have gone and how much we can expect to have left before trail intersections, etc.

This trail was also through meadows and the wildflowers right now are out in force. We can’t pick a favorite. And we also can’t name most of them….although we are improving. There are currently blooming….beargrass, clover, thistle, lupine, buttercups, asters, Queen Anne’s lace, wood roses, primroses, some lilies…..and many more. Here are a few for you.

 

 

We hiked through some great meadows, and some pretty aspen groves.

Terry did her Julie Andrews impression in one of the meadows, but twirling around with hiking poles just does not make quite the same impression. Our  current wildlife count is: three bear, five mountain goats, seven big-horned sheep, a ptarmigan (we think), a big woodpecker, many deer and various squirrels and chipmunks. Not bad for two weeks!

We made one family really happy yesterday. As Terry was watching the teenage boy and mom walk by our campsite, and chuckling to herself because the boy had his sweatshirt on backward and his hood completely covering his face as he walked, he decided to pull it down so as to really see where he was walking. All of a sudden he squeals with delight, points to our car, and tugs his Mom’s arm shouting, “Maine! Maine!  I found one!” They proceed to high five one another and Mom then explains that they have been playing the license plate game and Maine was the final one they needed. She said she thought everyone from Maine must have stayed home this summer.  We were happy to help them finish the game.

Our fireworks celebration has been postponed due to dry conditions and high winds. So we are having a pretty mellow Fourth of July. At least this time we did not have an older gentleman drive his huge rv down a narrow “road” to the lake through the tenting area. That happened six years ago and we had to have the owner of the campground stand on the roof of the rv and chainsaw branches of trees down so that someone else could back that rig out of the road. That was a once in a lifetime event! (We hope)

We wish everyone back home a safe and happy Fourth of July! We leave you with a Montana sunset until next time.

Glen and Terry