August 1, 2017
Glacier National Park
Montana
On our way up to Glacier, we saw a roadside sign for Kootenai Falls along highway 2. We had to stop, especially once the swinging bridge was mentioned. It was a fairly easy hike down to the falls but the warm temperatures made us wish we had brought water with us.
The bridge really did swing!
Continuing on, we camped just outside of Glacier National Park on the banks of the Hungry Horse Reservoir in the Flathead National Forest. There appeared to be a lot of people who had been camping there much longer than the 14-day limit but we were able to squeeze into a beautiful spot along the water.
With the reservoir at our doormat, Camrin did a little fly fishing after dinner and caught some small fish while the sun dipped down below the mountains.
The next morning was time for Glacier! We waited in line for two hours at Apgar visitor center to get on the Going-to-the-Sun Road free shuttle. Maybe we should have researched it first but we got there as quick as we could that morning. We now would recommend getting up early and driving to Avalanche Creek before 7 am and getting on one of the shuttles there.
The big shuttle takes you from the Apgar visitor center to Avalanche Creek where you switch to a smaller bus that can handle the winding roads and steep terrain.
The ride was beautiful and you get to see tall peaks and sweeping valleys from the safety of your seat, piloted by somebody who’s been making this twisted drive for years. At the terminus of the shuttle was Logan Pass.
From there we were able to hike along the Highline trail. It’s so narrow that part of it has a cable for you to hold on to. The views are breathtaking, and some of the best sights in the park. If you’re only going to hike one trail in Glacier, it should be this trail.
For a little taste of what it’s like to hike the Highline trail, check out this video!
We descended in the shuttle back down to Avalanche Creek and hiked through a patch of Old Growth Forest before heading out.
At the visitor center afterward, Camrin found out that her Grandfather’s funeral would be on Laura’s Birthday. We treated the day at Glacier as Laura’s Birthday and went out for a delicious birthday dinner. Then we went to the Hungry Horse reservoir to a different campsite higher up from the water. The next morning while drinking coffee a deer walked into the campsite, scared the shit out of Camrin, and walked right up to Laura. Our phones and camera were in the car so we don’t have evidence but it really was amazing how relaxed the doe was around us. Then we explored the Hungry Horse Dam and visitor center.
Here are a few more photos from Glacier
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