We left a day later than planned since Eddie got strep and pink eye. Bummer since we had planned on biking the Route of the Hiawatha the first day, then heading into Glacier to meet Ruthamin, but oh well. We've save that for another trip. It's about a 9 hour drive and seems like a cool place to hang near Wallace, ID. The bike ride is a 15 mile downhill-ish ride through 5 tunnels along an old railroad through forests.
So we drove the 12 hours from Salt Lake to Avalanche campground on the west side of the park. We were skeptical at first of the campground, but ended up loving it! It was nicely shaded and had an AWESOME hike starting right from the campground. And we camped next to the Petersons/Viponds where Hugo, Shep's age, 4, and Oliver, 7 were camping. Their parents-Martin and Sara were super fun too! We really hope to meet up again in the future. Too bad they live in Minneapolis, so far!
The first day, Ruth and I set out to hike the Garden Wall at Logan's Pass but it was closed due to too much snow. So we kept on driving to Many Glacier and hiked Grinnell Glacier but it also was closed at the last mile due to snow. But the 3.5 miles in were gorgeous! Turquoise alpine lakes, jagged rocks, wildflowers, streams, snowdrift/Glaciers, waterfalls, squirrels. It was dreamy. We stopped and put our feet in Lake Josephine. We met a lady who was starting out on her six month journey along the Continental Divide Trail- very inspiring.
Eddie took the kids and hiked up to St. Mary's waterfall- about 2.5 miles. Looked awesome!
That night we just hung around the campfire with the neighbors and had Ruby Glaciers - Deep Eddy Ruby Red Grapefruit vodka, soda water, lime juice. so refreshing!
The next day, Ruth and I set out again for another hike that again was cut short but this time due to bears in the area. We started at Logan Pass and crossed the snow field to Hidden Lake. Really fun! It was crowded but still really fun.
We saw some of the famous mountain goats that the park is known for. but not any bears. Meanwhile, Eddie looks the kids to McDonald Lake and putzed around there.
The evening, Ruth watched the kids during "nap time" and Eddie and I did the Avalanche lake trail from the campsite. It was adventure nonstop! Through cedar forests, along a raging turquoise creek, around the lake, again sticking our feet in to cool off and refresh. We booked it up and back and it felt so good to push hard and sweat and feel our muscles.
The next day, we all were heading out. We packed up and went along the John's Lake Trail along the McDonald Creek. so beautiful! we skipped stones at the bridge.
We stopped on the way back at the Glacier Distillery which was meh. I wish we would have stopped at the cherry orchard stands along the lake.
For the future:
-rent a trailer for a month- I saw a sign at the general store in Babb for $300/month. Invite all friends and family to join.-hike the Garden Wall
-camp in Many Glacier or Bowman Lake (assuming bears are not an issue)
-buy a tee shirt
-July is a great time to go
On the way back we stopped in Missoula to walk around and have burgers and beer at the Tamarisk. then drove on to Idaho Falls for a much needed shower and sleep. The next day we headed back to Salt Lake with a long detour at the Monte Cristo campground for Jamie and Brad's wedding. and of course, raspberry milkshakes at Chris's across from Pineview Resevoir.
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