ISU Bengal

Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: Outdoor

Media Credit: of grandcanyon.free.fr Azure blue Avalanche Creek flowing through Avalanche Gorge. This is just one of the many breathtaking views along the hike to Avalanche Lake

Media Credit: www.golfmontana.net The scenic mountain backdrop, numerous cascading waterfalls, and calm, blue waters of Avalanche Lake make this destination a must see.

Media Credit: Robert Cross Reynolds Mountain towers above Hidden Lake at Glacier National Park in Northwestern Montana. The Hidden Lake trailhead is located just behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center and worth the hike.

Media Credit: Susan Hegger The park earned it's name not from the tiny glaciers that exist there today, but for mountains that the glaciers carved 10,000 years ago during the Ice Age.

Media Credit: Thomas Swick A vintage tour bus rumbles up the only route through Glacier National Park - Going-to-the-Sun Road. Powerful gray peaks, pine-swept slopes and plunging valleys leave visitors grasping for a camera or shaking their heads in awe.

Media Credit: Thomas Swick Found in Many Glacier, Red Rock Falls, is a gentle hike along a lake dotted meandering trail. This is a hot spot for cougar and bear alike so be sure to make lots of noise while hiking.

Did you have an experience of a lifetime this summer? That's just what the Outdoor Adventure Center specializes in, and this summer's activities offered many opportunities for an unforgettable experience. From backpacking and rock climbing to horseback riding and whitewater rafting the OAC offered plenty of trips to wet even the most tenacious outdoor appetite.
One of the most remarkable was a trip to Glacier National Park, spanning the end of June and start of July. Glacier offers breathtaking, scenic views you really must experience to fully appreciate. In fact, any one of the many features Glacier offers warrants the trip. However, the combination of towering, rock-topped mountains; lush, green forest; large, open valleys laced with silver ribbons of water; meadows colored with wildflowers; white, waterfalls cascading for thousands of feet before pooling into the bluest water imaginable; and wildlife welcoming every sunrise and sunset; will leave you awestruck.
It doesn't take long in the park to realize why backpackers, hikers, and people from all over the world routinely converge in Glacier. While tourism is thriving in Glacier and on any given day during the summer there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people entering and leaving the park, solace and solitude are still easy to find. Along our day hikes through the park we never found a vacant trail; although, we did find plenty of scenic locations just off the main trails that offered ample time alone.
Our first hike began at Avalanche Lake Campground, where the trailhead is found in a forest of skyscraping trees draped in moss. As you begin the gentle assent to Avalanche Lake the roar of azure Avalanche Creek cascading over magenta rocks greets you, and the gentle breeze cooled by the creek will keep you invigorated during the hike. Greeting fellow hikers as they pass seems the custom on this friendly trail, and you'll immediately notice the variety of salutations and dialects spoken. Beyond language, you'll probably notice the diversity of people on the trail; we passed people of all ages and sizes. Hopefully, you find this inspiring as you become winded.
As you near the climax of this hike the trail peeks into the sun, begins to meander slightly downhill, curves to the left, and is lost. The trees part and a pebble beach scattered with down timber unfolds. The small, round rocks lightly crunch underfoot as gentle lapping, blue waters become visible. Two more steps and you turn to take in a heart stirring view- Avalanche Lake. A gorgeous, high-country lake nested in soaring mountains with showering waterfalls careening down the slopes. The view is too much to appreciate momentarily; you'll need to find a place to sit and give yourself sometime.
We worked our way onto one of the large flattened rocks at the water's edge to enjoy the view and sunshine. As we were lounging a small white-tail emerged from the surrounding trees, to nibble on the young grass at the water's edge. She wandered along feeding before she neared our rock, then she did the unthinkable. She headed straight for us, calmly lowered her head, and sniffed the surrounding rocks. She was less than ten feet away.
On our descent from Avalanche Lake we passed another white-tail deer. This deer was standing to the side of the trail, serenely licking at the dirt. Hikers passed within inches, and she paid no attention. As we neared the end of this glorious hike a young girl, at her mother's side, just starting on the journey remarked to her also young friend: "This place make me believe in fairies." Both girls smiled and continued on. You may not depart from Avalanche Lake believing in fairies, but you will know enchanting places still exist.
Surprisingly, Glacier has many equally mesmerizing places throughout the park to explore. And no trip to Glacier would be complete without a drive over Going-to-the-Sun road. The road was constructed as part of a massive labor movement during the early 1930s. The views along this scenic byway are stunning. However, the detailed construction of the road will also stand out. The meticulous placement and craftsmanship of rock arches beneath the road not only allow traffic to flow seamlessly, but also allow the waterfalls to flow unobstructed. Forget those huge concrete slabs that prevent motorists from spilling over the edges. This road is lined with the same rock that was carved from the mountainside to create enough room for the two lane road. While the road is visible as it climbs to Logan Pass Visitor's Center, it doesn't stand out as an eyesore. In fact, it compliments the surroundings nicely.
Be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife along the road as well, especially as you near Logan Pass. The area not only hosts Mountain Goats and Big Horn Sheep, but also Wolverines and Hoary Marmots. This is a great place to stop, pull out the optics, and look around; or, stretch your legs with another beautiful hike. Secreted just behind the visitor's center is the trailhead to Hidden Lake, and meadows dotted with glacier lilies. Don't let the lingering snow discourage you, this hike is well worth any perils you may perceive. Once you arrive at the wooden boardwalk overlook, the view will justify any tribulations with snow or elevation you may have experienced. Don't be fooled by the overlook; the best views are just beyond the wooden path. Continuing beyond the overlook will also give you an opportunity to slip away from the gathering people.
From Logan Pass Going-to-the-Sun Road will either take you west or east. We continued east and exited the park. Fortunately, this was not the end of our trip.
We returned to the park at the entrance of Many Glacier, after a quick walk off the road to appreciate the waterfalls. Many Glacier is host to numerous scenic hikes, and is a great place to stay if you intend to backpack. We elected to set up camp at Many Glacier Campground before enjoying a hike to Red Rock Falls. The scenery was far too enjoyable to simply stop there, so we continued to hike to the base of Swiftcurrent Pass. After hours of hiking and enjoying the landscape, we returned to the trailhead famished. Luckily, the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn is nearby and has an attached Italian restaurant featuring mouthwatering pizza and garlic fries.
Also located on the eastside of the park is Two Medicine, one of the most historic areas of the park. After a stop past the Two Medicine Lodge, we loaded the boat for a tour of Two Medicine Lake. Boat tours are offered on numerous lakes in Glacier, and some are a great way to cut miles off hikes. Not to mention, the tour guides are very informative. After a relaxing cruise around the lake, we departed for Goat Lick, a site where Mountain Goats come to lick minerals from the mountainside. It is best to visit Goat Lick near sunrise of sunset. After a trip like this the only thing you'll want to return home for is rest, and a schedule of upcoming OAC trips and events.

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