Road Trip Day 8: Pure Beauty

My BIG day has arrived . . . and I am SO ready to get out and about.  I love visiting our National Parks and when the planning for this trip was going on, I knew we just had to stop at Glacier National Park . . .

. . . mainly because I had seen this photo in a magazine of a place called Iceberg Lake.  I was like WOW that is so beautiful; I really want to go there.  So I had a plan.  We would only have one full day in Glacier National Park so knew our time was limited.  This would give us time to do one hike in the morning and then drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road which cuts across the park.  Now I haven't really done much hiking because usually Colin is with me and that limits how far we can hike.  The hike to Iceberg Lake was 9.6 miles round trip (I swear it is longer, LOL) so that was super long sounding to me, but I was determined!  The key was to get up early but not too early that the bears might still be lurking on the trail.  We still had to drive 25 minutes to the Many Glacier region of the park where the trailhead started for our hike.  There was absolutely no traffic . . .

. . . except for some cows that were in the road and eating on the side of the road.  When we arrived there were only a couple of cars in the parking lot so we were optimistic the trail would not be crowded.  Do I look ready or what?

Just as we entered the trailhead, we were met by this guy . . .

. . . he was that close; no zoom needed!  What a friendly morning welcome!  Now let me just say the first quarter mile was a killer . . . it was ALL uphill and steep.  I began to question myself and if I was over ambitious but I marched onward.  It leveled out and within 15 minutes started taking off my clothes (just my long sleeve shirt) as it was HOT!  Less than a mile into the hike, we were passed by a guy and from that point on we saw absolutely no on the trail until we turned back.  It was glorious!  So back to the hike . . . I loved these flowers . . .

. . . they were everywhere and called Bear Grass (or some referred it to as Bear Weed) even tough bears don't eat them.  They were all shapes and sizes.

The views and waterfalls were breathtaking . . .

. . . and the snow that is slowly melting . . .

At the halfway point, I needed a snack so had a Kind bar of dark chocolate, nuts, and sea salt . . .

So while the sign said we were almost there; we were not.  The second half seemed so much longer than the first, but forward we went.  Yes, I am still smiling . . .

About that time a bull moose was spotted ahead in a patch of snow.  I saw it and off I went . . . it was still far off but I saw it . . .

. . . little did we know we would actually be walking exactly where it was but thankfully it was gone by the time we arrived.  We were approaching the final stretch . . .

. . . I think I will go right even though I sort of wanted to check out the pit toilet!

. . . and then I saw it.  And that is exactly why I wanted to go on this trail for 2 hours and 15 minutes.  It was so worth it.  Not a single person around . . . no one . . .

. . . just beauty and nature and well this guy . . .

. . . it was so nice to sit and just soak up the views . . .

. . . it was so peaceful and no one making noise or interrupting the peacefulness.  We sat down and ate a sandwich wrap and crackers.  Out of  no where all these guys started showing up . . .

I am sure they eat crumbs from all the hikers.  It was so nice to enjoy the isolation for about 20 minutes and then another hiker showed up.  Before we left, I had to feel the water . . . it was so cold.  It was good while it lasted and back on the trail we went . . .

And I just had to turn around for one final view . . .

Back on the trail we met tons of people . . . most were shocked we were already on our way back and that we started so early.  Yes, indeed we did . . . in this case the early bird does get the worm!

The textures along the trail were amazing too . . .

It was worth every second and so glad I did it!  And just as we were greeted by a deer, as we departed we saw a grouse and her baby chicks at the end . . .

We made it back in 1 hour 45 minutes to a very packed parking lot and a hot, steamy car!  It felt so good to take off the hiking boots and suck up the AC. As a reward we headed to The Ptarmigan Dining Room at Many Glacier Hotel for a treat . . .

. . . and the view wasn't too bad either!  I tell you that iced tea and apple strudel hit the spot . . .

And if you were wondering, I drank four glasses of strong brewed iced tea; I was tempted to ask for a to go cup!  As we left the Many Glacier Hotel all the Red Buses were gearing up for a day of tours . . .

And it is ONLY 1pm!  What a busy morning and still have the afternoon to drive the Going to the Sun Road.  We had to go back to the main entrance of the park and sit through all the road construction again, but at least we were prepared for it!  We stopped at Logan Pass.  We were thinking of taking a short hike but when we arrived the area was packed with a lot of people and kids so we decided to move along.  The drive always provided the unexpected . . .

I loved these glacier lilies . . .

The views were so pretty but the crowds were a turn off . . .

One of the reasons I was excited about Glacier National Park was I have read many times that it is a beautiful park without the crowds.  Apparently, the writer hadn't been there in mid July because it seemed crowded to me . . . like more crowded than Yellowstone last summer.  As we left Logan Pass we crossed the Continental Divide.  The traffic was starting to fade so we continued driving and pulled over near an area with a lot of waterfalls . . .

. . . as I was scanning the rocks looking for sheep/goats, I saw something move.  Can you see it?

. . . look closely . . . little help . . .

. . . zoomed in a bit . . .

It is a marmot.  I didn't know my eyes were that good!  It was of course back on the road as we finished driving the entire Going-to-the-Sun Road . . . a few parting shots from Glacier National Park . . .

. . . and yes, it did live up to all that I expected it would be!  I am beyond words exhausted!  We had about a 40 minute drive to the hotel and the hot tub was so nice and relaxing.  I was in bed by 8pm!  This day has been exactly what I thought it would be!  Another unbelievable event occurred today too . . . I turned my cell phone back on after being off for 8 days . . . I did not miss it at all . . . I should do it more often in fact!

Miles traveled today:  146 miles

Total trip miles:  2,601 miles