Day 10 - Glacier NP

Today was our first full day to explore the Glacier Park area. With a recommendation for a shorter hike from our breakfast waiter (10-mile hikes seem the norm here, not for Michele’s still-aching calves from the Bear’s Hump climb!) and sunny skies, we headed out to the trailhead. Our hike was the Red Canyon Falls trail about three miles round trip. Luckily we found a parking spot at the trailhead and were on the trail by 10am. 

Our waiter also recommended taking the short detour to Fishercap Lake where moose tend to congregate. No moose sightings for us this morning but the view was a nice sight.

We came across an interesting tree.

And this little guy.

We reached the lake and could hear the falls just across the water. We are not sure if that is snow or the remnants of glaciers on the mountains.

We found this small waterfall around the corner from the larger one, with a pool of turquoise water.

 

We hiked past the waterfall a bit before descending and saw a little snake. Michele was not afraid (she was behind Rob) (so he says). The surrounding mountains had interesting rock formations. The shape of this one reminded us of the mountain that Crazy Horse is being carved out of in South Dakota.

We walked to the falls flowing in full force.

And spent some time climbing up to the upper falls for a better look.

 

On our hike back Rob spotted what we think may be a marmot. Having our fill of the great scenery we took a break for lunch. We stopped at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn’s restaurant around 1pm and also checked out the laundry facilities. With the machines free we rode back to our hotel, grabbed our laundry, and went back in the hopes that we’d catch open machines before everyone finished their daily hikes. Just in time, too. When we left over an hour later all machines were taken. 

Back at our hotel by 5pm we dropped off the clean laundry and decided to take the nature trail hike around the hotel lake, Swiftcurrent Lake. After about a mile we found another mile-long trail leading to Josephine Lake. On the way back Rob spotted what we think is a waxwing.

From across the lake our hotel and surrounding mountains were amazing in the late afternoon light.

With aching feet but content from our great day we got a seat at the hotel lounge for dinner. All that hiking—about 5 miles today—is keeping our appetites healthy. 

After dinner Rob caught the sunset view from our hotel.

Tomorrow we head out on our long-anticipated ride along Going to the Sun Road. This morning Rob overheard someone saying that the eastern portion that had been closed due to the forest fires had just re-opened. We checked the front desk to be sure and yes, it was now open with some restrictions (open only from 9am – 7pm and absolutely no stopping between St. Mary’s and Logan’s Pass). But that buoyed our spirits, so we will head out early tomorrow to avoid the crowds.