Glacier National Park, Montana
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Avalanche Lake Glacier National Park, Montana |
July 29, 2018
On Day-14 of this northern bucket-list tour, I am on my own again, having recently hiked with as many as five friends at once. Six years ago, Dave and I were stymied by the parking situation here at Avalanche Lake; today I try a new tack. Driving up a little side road that I didn't see previously, nothing is available; but I learned the drill recently up at Lake Louise.
Flipping a U-turn, I come around the circle again, and this time a
ranger ushers me into an empty space that just happens to be directly in front of
the trailhead. So it has been famine to feast for me here.
I know from research that, at least from a photographic viewpoint, the best time to visit here is in later afternoon; but because of the parking situation, I didn't want to postpone the opportunity.
⇔
I am somewhat anxious for another reason as well, because yesterday I could barely walk after traversing the Highline Trail. This morning, however, my shin feels back to normal, as if nothing untoward had happened. Go figure.
Because this trail is so popular, I presume that it will be pretty easy going; so I don't even bother to don my hiking boots.
The trail begins
Avalanche Creek
The short two-mile walk is dispatched in forty minutes, during which
I overtake and pass dozens of hikers. The several who passed me
all were about one-third my age.
At the outlet
Avalanche Lake
As anticipated, the three nice cascades in the distance are obscured by the angle of the sun. Perhaps if I wait long enough, they will come around.
It's no wonder that the parking lot is full
An interesting effect
According to the map, a trail skirts the right-hand side of the lake. By staying close to the water I am able to traverse the shoreline, albeit with some obstacles.
Are there any fish here?
The waterfront path being so relatively unfriendly, I believe that a better choice must be available.
Yes, there is a real trail
As soon as I find the established route, an approaching man warns me that bears have been sighted in the area. Shortly behind him is a ranger leading a small party. He asks whether I have seen any bears; I admit that I have not.
In fact, I still never have seen a grizzly bear; and this could be my last 'opportunity', because I am starting homeward tomorrow.
What a nice color
The eastern end of Avalanche Lake
Reflections
Sharing the Cow Parsnip
A mild disappointment is that none of the cascades are in view from here, and there is nothing else to detain me, either.
There is safety in numbers
The lake is quite shallow — perhaps two feet deep
Back at the beach, the sun's angle still is crappy
The ranger is explaining that most bear cubs pick up habits from mom, not dad
I find a shady spot and settle in, to munch some gorp and try to outwait the sun for some better photos. These cute little guys are right beside me:
Self Heal
Mouse Ear Chickweed
Mom is too busy with the baby...
... to notice the fritillary on her pants
The lighting is not improving quickly enough
The male ranger has morphed into a female one
Last chance
I'm outa here
Thimbleberry and Green Corn Lily
Hollow log
Nobody passes me on the way back
The creek reappears
Stopping at an overlook bypassed on the way in:
Was this stuff here earlier?
Avalanche Creek Gorge
On the Trail of the Cedars
Finally, a newly constructed boardwalk takes me right back to the car.
Just for me? They shouldn't have.
§: If possible, grab an afternoon shuttle and do this hike later
in the day. The overall scene should be more pleasing at that time.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality |  |
Google Earth view
Unbeknownst to me at the time, this would be the last hike of
my Northern Bucket List Tour. Once again, forest-fire smoke
stymied plans to visit Sawtooth Lake in Idaho and the Steens Mountains in
Oregon. On the final day, I drove a full thousand miles in disgust,
cutting the trip two days short. Even back home, northern California
currently is besieged by three huge fires, one of which is the biggest that the
state ever has suffered.
Despite the smoke plus some horrid air temperatures and rainouts, I managed thirteen hikes of various lengths in just sixteen days, plus visits to some other places as well. Excepting the repeat outing at Lake Louise, all walks were on new trails, which means that twelve slots have been freed up on my bucket list that never seems to get much shorter anyway.
