Hidden Lake

Hidden Lake Trail Way

Wow. Got an early start to our day with the intention of making it to Logan Pass. There is a visitors center there and the start of Hidden Lake Overlook trail. Snow everywhere. We left the truck without our hiking sticks but made a quick run back to grab them once we saw the amount of snow that we would trek through. Total knock of confidence when you slip and skid walking over snow. At more than one time or another we each looked like those new born calves testing out their legs for the first time.  (After note: Becky is my proofer/editor on each post and when she read this comparison she said she'd give me extra points for such an exact comparison! Yay me!)

As we began the trail a sign was posted saying that the trail that is just beyond the overlook to go to the shores of Hidden Lake was closed due to 'bear activity.' Good enough for me. I want no part of 'bear activity.' We decided to continue on to the lake overlook for the scenery and numerous mountain goats. 

This was a very different hike from yesterday. We were on dirt paths up and down the side of the mountain in thick trees. Today, we were in an alpine meadow with snow covering everything.

Panorama of Logan's Pass

There were some fairly steep parts that the snow made so tricky for our footing. About just over a mile into the trail you have to go around the curve of a mountain. The problem was that the trail was maybe 12 inches wide. The rock here was very loose and you basically needed to lean towards the mountain and side step the skinny path.

The red arrow indicates the skinny trail around the mountain side. The yellow star marks the spot where Becky and I both stopped and contemplated going around the mountain...

Steven went. Dean went. Becky was next. The path was so skinny here that it was single file. Becky was uncertain of her intentions. I slipped and landed right there on my backside and decided that I needed to make a decision. Either go or get out of the way. The more I thought about it, the more anxious I got. I took a quick look at Beck and told her I was not continuing on, I was heading down. She said she was in decision making mode. I did not look back- I started a very nervous descent ever so slowly. After ten minutes or so I heard 'Nick I'm here with you' - Beck had talked herself out of that scary next segment as well. We spotted an island of rocks or isolation... amongst the sea of snow that made for a lovely spot for lunch and watching even old people go where we were afraid to go....

Pano of Hidden Lake Overlook

Dean & Steven at Hidden Lake Overlook

Can you spot Nick & Beck?

Becky & I on the Island of Isolation- we ate the best turkey sandwiches ever at this spot!

Close up of the skinny pass

Our home while waiting for the guys to return from Hidden Lake Overlook

After an hour or so the guys came around the bend and we watched them walk the treacherous path back to where we were. We wore hats, gloves, and our down jackets today. The temperature at Logan's Pass was in the 40s. Skies were very overcast which was a little disappointing in not having blue skies in our pictures. The pattern has been overcast mornings with blue skies early evening until sunset (close to 10 pm). 

On our way out of the park we pulled on the side of the road for Dean to get pictures of and in a meadow. Not two minutes after we pulled over, there were flashing lights behind us. Park police walk up to the truck and tell us that you cannot 'off road' in the park. 'Can I have your license please sir'. Steven obliges and gives Mr. Officer his license. ...there is a hole punched in his license... 'Sir is this the only license you have?' Yes sir! 'Sir, this is expired.' <collective gasp from inside the truck> Steven digs through his wallet and produces another license (no hole in this one). Officer walks back to his car while Mrs. Officer stood alongside the truck to ensure we didn't leave I guess. While he is away, of course we all question Steven as to why is he keeping an expired license in his wallet. Mr. Officer comes back and says well, you aren't wanted for anything <sigh of relief from inside the truck> so I will let you go with a warning. I also suggest that you not carry an expired license on you. It is a huge red flag when we are handed an expired license. 

Two lessons learned:

1. Don't off-road in a national park. 
2. Don't carry an expired license on you.  

The photo that almost landed Steven in jail... it was worth it right?

(As I reflect on this incident, I am so disappointed in myself that I did not snap a picture of Steven and the officer as a keepsake. I originally didn't think the stop would result in much, until Steven handed the officer his expired license....)

We exited the park on the East side, drove north and reentered Glacier to get to Many Glacier Lodge. The hotel is a Swiss influenced resort. Very quaint. Heading back to the condo in Whitefish- we will drive Going to the Sun Road (east to west) as the quickest route back to the condo.

We did finally spot a bear... well, sort of... is this considered 'bear activity'?

Our drive today was through Glacier (west to east) on Going to the Sun Road. Majority of this road is easy driving. The drive over the Continental Drive (highest point at Logan's Pass 6,646 feet) requires mountainside driving where there is no rail, let alone shoulder. Dean used one of his GoPro clip mounts to aim the camera out of the truck window to give a closeup and personal view of our drive. Hopefully we will post those clips as well.

A GPS pictorial track of our route today. Click on the picture and then the play button.