Scott Chandler
Wildness is a necessity- John Muir
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2014
- Messages
- 1,099
Sorry for how long this one is. I tried to whittle down my pictures to the best but Glacier provides too many "bests."
With my family and friends headed home I was left to occupy more time in Montana. I had several half formulated plans to spend a couple days: day hike in the Bob Marshall, backpack in the Bob, check out the Mission Mountains, go down and visit friends in Yellowstone, but what I wanted to do was stay in/by Glacier. One day just wasn't enough. After a visit to the backcountry office I had a solid plan and a backpacking permit.
Day 1
So Friday morning I drove up to Kintla Lake to start the hike to where I'd be camped for a couple nights, the Upper Kintla Lake Campground. Knowing I'd be leaving right after the hike back in a couple days I tried to hike my fastest to best judge when to leave Sunday morning. That said, I still had plenty of time for lots of pictures.
Kintla Glacier clinging high to the mountains
From the foot of Upper Kintla
Clouds moved in and threatened rain but only brought wind. I got into camp around 4 after the same number of hours so I had a good settle in time. After months in the wilderness it was weird but oddly nice to camp next to other people. Once I'm done patrolling I'm sure that will go away but for this trip it was nice. Glacier also has very nice campgrounds. I was highly pleased with it all.
It had a sweet shore to hang out on too
Day 2
For my second day I had plans to hike up the mountain to Boulder Pass and Hole in the Wall. I had heard many times through my youth that it was the most gorgeous section of the park and now I had the chance to check it out. Because I'd be spending the night at Upper Kintla again, I didn't even have to haul a big pack up the 3000ft gain.
It was a great morning and really the elevation gain was not that bad. It probably helped that I've spent my summer above 90% of Glacier. Reaching Boulder Pass and seeing Hole in the Wall was beyond epic. It was so lofty up there. I continued down the trail until about a mile from Brown Pass, basically until I could see that I'd have to hike further than Brown Pass in order to see into the next valley. Around I turned and back I went. Oh so pretty.
The Agazizz (spelt wrong I'm sure) Glacier
Nearing Boulder Pass
And then the views open up over the pass
Hole in the Wall
My turn around view
At camp I was joined by new folks, one of which was a high up in the Glacier NP employee echelon. Talking with him and his North Cascade NP friend was fun, being from differing agencies and having differing experiences. Plus, I'd love to work for him someday.
Day 3
An oh so early hike saw me bittersweetly walking back to my car. The morning was of course gorgeous and the thought of leaving Glacier for a 12 hour car ride was not pleasant but had to be done. I had to get back to Buffalo to share my stories and rest my feet after all.
Boy will I miss that park though. Maybe someday I can spend all my days there like I do here with the Cloud Peak.
Featured image for home page:
With my family and friends headed home I was left to occupy more time in Montana. I had several half formulated plans to spend a couple days: day hike in the Bob Marshall, backpack in the Bob, check out the Mission Mountains, go down and visit friends in Yellowstone, but what I wanted to do was stay in/by Glacier. One day just wasn't enough. After a visit to the backcountry office I had a solid plan and a backpacking permit.
Day 1
So Friday morning I drove up to Kintla Lake to start the hike to where I'd be camped for a couple nights, the Upper Kintla Lake Campground. Knowing I'd be leaving right after the hike back in a couple days I tried to hike my fastest to best judge when to leave Sunday morning. That said, I still had plenty of time for lots of pictures.
Kintla Glacier clinging high to the mountains
From the foot of Upper Kintla
Clouds moved in and threatened rain but only brought wind. I got into camp around 4 after the same number of hours so I had a good settle in time. After months in the wilderness it was weird but oddly nice to camp next to other people. Once I'm done patrolling I'm sure that will go away but for this trip it was nice. Glacier also has very nice campgrounds. I was highly pleased with it all.
It had a sweet shore to hang out on too
Day 2
For my second day I had plans to hike up the mountain to Boulder Pass and Hole in the Wall. I had heard many times through my youth that it was the most gorgeous section of the park and now I had the chance to check it out. Because I'd be spending the night at Upper Kintla again, I didn't even have to haul a big pack up the 3000ft gain.
It was a great morning and really the elevation gain was not that bad. It probably helped that I've spent my summer above 90% of Glacier. Reaching Boulder Pass and seeing Hole in the Wall was beyond epic. It was so lofty up there. I continued down the trail until about a mile from Brown Pass, basically until I could see that I'd have to hike further than Brown Pass in order to see into the next valley. Around I turned and back I went. Oh so pretty.
The Agazizz (spelt wrong I'm sure) Glacier
Nearing Boulder Pass
And then the views open up over the pass
Hole in the Wall
My turn around view
At camp I was joined by new folks, one of which was a high up in the Glacier NP employee echelon. Talking with him and his North Cascade NP friend was fun, being from differing agencies and having differing experiences. Plus, I'd love to work for him someday.
Day 3
An oh so early hike saw me bittersweetly walking back to my car. The morning was of course gorgeous and the thought of leaving Glacier for a 12 hour car ride was not pleasant but had to be done. I had to get back to Buffalo to share my stories and rest my feet after all.
Boy will I miss that park though. Maybe someday I can spend all my days there like I do here with the Cloud Peak.
Featured image for home page:
