Glacier National Park, Montana
On the way to the South Shore trailhead in the Two Medicine valley I stopped to get a quick look at Trick Falls (now known as Running Eagle Falls). Not much water flowing this late in the season so only the lower falls is showing. Still a pretty sight, made nicer by no one else being there. The trail is only 3 tenths of a mile long so it wasn't a long detour on my way to the peaks.
Arriving at the South Shore trailhead I had the lot to myself, and only one other car was already parked in it. Something that would change significantly by the time I returned to the truck tomorrow. The 9ish mile approach to Two Medicine Pass was a steady climb, but with clear blue skies and scenery like this it was a pleasant hike. Besides only having gear for one night in the backcountry and not having to carry more than 1 liter of water my pack was really light.
Along the way there were some flowers changing to seed heads, and others just looking pretty by the creek. The small open areas were covered in blooming flowers. I just don't have the photo skills to capture the beauty of it all.
Eventually I made it past Cobalt Lake with a few snowbanks still in place along the steeper shore of the lake. Working my way up and over Chief Lodgepole Peak I got a good look at the mile long ridge that would get me to the summit area of Painted Tepee Peak. Really an easy way till the final summit block, then it got a bit dicey.
This was one of the neat views through the crumbly section near the summit. That is Mount Rockwell visible in the distance. The one mountain in the area I didn't climb on this trip. But it will be a future adventure.
After getting to the summit I worked my way back down where I found the Mountain Goats hangout…or bathroom. It had to take a long time to get this much in one place.
Working back to the main ridge it was time to tackle the main mountain of this trip, Grizzly Mountain. Mostly it was a steady climb up talus and scree till the final 600 feet. Then it made me do some route finding. My first shot at the highest point turned out to be almost the top. So after a climb back down a few hundred feet I traversed over to the real summit block and up to the top I went.
On top there was a flat area with great views and a wonderful place to sit and enjoy a snack. Then it was time to work my way back down.
Most of the down climb was harder than going up because the talus was really unsteady. After getting back to Two Medicine Pass I found a young marmot keeping an eye on things. It was the smallest marmot I have seen in years.
Day 2
After a wonderful night spent in some nestled in a bunch of white bark pine I was up and working my way back down the valley. Once near the head of the lake I started running into lots of people coming up the trail to Rockwell Falls. The falls were my private domain for breakfast as I was there very early. They really are pretty.
As the number of hikers increased my speed going down went up as well. When I made it back to my truck at about 2 pm the lot at the trailhead was jammed, and cars were circling like buzzards waiting for a spot to park in. I tossed my pack in the back and headed for Marias Pass. I had never hiked along one section of the border trail, and for 11 miles I was in the wilds all alone. I saw this flower that reminded me of Shreck ears.
And this young grouse hid in a tree and thought if it didn't move I wouldn't see it. If it tries that with something that wants to eat it, it will get eaten.
Passed a small beaver pond and this frog was hanging out along the edge.
The last bit of wildlife I saw was this insect. I have no idea what it is but it had its hind end stuck into the ground like it was laying eggs. I'm sending this picture off to a friend who can ID it for me.
The day ended with me spending the night at the Forest service campground right at the pass, just across the highway from Glacier.
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