Saturday we reached Whitefish ahead of schedule. We were planning to stay in Columbus Falls. We found a decent campground near food and other supplies. Must be the good karma.
As it turns out this is a better location than expected. You see, we want to go to Glacier national park. Sandy had done a Google search and found a commercial shuttle service. It cost $10 per person for the 50 mile round trip. The news got even better when we learned it picked up 2 blocks away behind a McDonalds at 7:45. We could sleep in (everything is relative) and get breakfast with free coffee refills!
The driver was on time. We were the only passengers in the van. He took us just inside the Park where we picked ups free shuttle up the Going to the Sun Road to Logan's Pass. Sandy had done a hike to Hidden Lake from the pass some years ago so that was our plan.
Since we had all done The Going to the Sun Road in the past, we had no plans to ride it this year. As we rode the park free shuttle up we were increasingly happy with our choice to take an alternative route. The climb wasn't as long or as steep as Washington Pass but it was busy and narrow. As for the scenery? Spectacular is the simplest way to describe it. In the shirt you can drink of the views and feel the breathtaking drop offs by the road. Melting snowfields shed their waterfalls in spectacular fashion. Some spill down cliffs beside and across the road as we head to the sun. Dramatic. All of it.
At the pass, Logan Pass (it's no coincidence that my son's name is Logan. Pam and I toured on a tandem bike through the pass on the trip that I proposed to her.) we got out and soon headed out on a hike to Hidden Lake led by our very own Sandy Doyle! She had hiked up there in the early 80's. Lots of people were hiking. The trail was obvious. For a ways at least. After that the trail ended. The snowfields began. Yep. Snowfields. You see Logan Pass had only been opened since the 3rd week in June. Much earlier than usual. Coulda fooled me. The girls and Bill had sandals. I had lightweight sneakers. Up we went. Gay turned back part of the way through the first snowfield. I was motivated only by the alleged view. Kicking steps. Wanted boots and crampons. Walking poles would have been sufficient. Never fell but it was annoyingly slippery.
Ok. Finally. The top. Nice panoramic view. I've already used my superlatives. Awesome will have to suffice. We took pictures and headed down. We saw lots of mountain sheep. And their babies. Cool.
Very cool.
We returned to the visitor center and shuffled over to the Logan Pass sigh for pictures. Dang! I forgot it was that high. We ARE in the Rockies I tell myself. 6,646 feet Continental Divide.
We took the shuttle back to Apgar visitor center where we catch the shuttle back to Whitefish. We do have a birthday to celebrate. Sandy's!
We found a Chinese restaurant very close to camp. Gay ate something that was dang hot. Dang hot. I had A broccoli. Had to take an antacid. Sleep came easily.
Thanks for reading.
Cheers!
KPW
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