Glacier '08
Tue Sep 23, 07:08 AM
Words don’t do this trip justice. None. I can tell you that we had a great time, had great weather, and saw bears, moose, sheep, etc. I can try to describe the highlights: Ptarmigan Tunnel, Dinner at the lodge in Many Glacier, hiking over Swift Current Pass, the deer stealing my shirt at Fifty Mountain, the fire at Goat Haunt, or maybe the Huckleberries on Brown Pass. I struggle in finding an adequate description for the trip we just completed and can only show a few pictures that highlight the experience.
In March, when my dad said a seven-day, six-night Glacier trip was in the works, I immediately told him to count me in. I didn’t know the specifics; I just knew it was going to be great.
Tom, my dad’s best friend from growing up came from Tulsa, OK with his two brothers Don and John. Tom’s daughter, Beth, and boyfriend Rob, along with my dad and me, rounded out the crew of seven. Fitness levels were highly variable, with my dad and me at the two extremes.
After two flat tires and car troubles running shuttle up to Bowman Lake, the trip started out a bit ominous, but when we were dropped off on Monday morning, spirits were high and packs were heavy!
The first night was an early one, even with a full moon, as we all felt the day’s hike in our backs and legs. As the trip went on, we developed a solid rhythm; we all hiked at different paces, but met up every few hours to devour a handful of gorp and gulp out of our Nalgenes. The dynamics of the group are as good as any I have come across. Smiles and high-fives permeated the trail the whole time.
Every day was worthy of a head dunk in the creek, with a few days worthy of a dip in the lake. We had perfect weather all week as we saw our first clouds late on our last evening. Sunday morning was a wet one, but who cares, I stuffed the wet tent and sleeping bag in my pack for the hike to the car.
Our trip consisted of about 83 miles over the course of seven days. We hit many of the highlights of the park, but realized that there are more than we could cover in a week. There is always next year!
Since this short description barely describes the trip, here are a few pictures out of the 347 I took on the trip. (John took approximately 1500!)
Elizabeth Lake and Belly River Drainage
Enjoying the Sue Lake Overlook
Tom and my dad-The trail compaction crew!
The whole group near Fifty Mountain Campground
Me, Rob, and Beth at Bowman Lake-Ready to take the boots off!
