Despite not one but two forest fires raging in the park, hazy conditions on some days that blocked the views and stunning scenery, very hot temperatures (in the mid to high 30s!), and it being the driest year on record in 100 years, Glacier National Park was still a very beautiful place to visit and explore.
With it being so dry this year, water levels were low everywhere. On our way through the park on the Going to the Sun Road, we stopped and ate our makeshift picnic lunch at an area where the riverbed was over half dry. We enjoyed the peace and tranquility the park and that particular area offered.
Another highlight came the next day when we did a hike to the Hidden Lake Overlook from the Logan Pass Visitor Center. First, I have seen many pictures of fields of wildflowers in the mountains, but I had never seen the real thing. When I did, I was in awe. It was so beautiful! And secondly, it was a long hike, but the view of Hidden Lake from the overlook was absolutely amazing!
On a free day we drove to Whitefish to explore that area. We had a fun day here and I definitely got out of my comfort zone - first with taking the ski lifts to the top of the mountain, then to feeling like a kid again on an alpine slide, and finally to do a walk in the treetops which got to as high as 70 feet up in the air. It was the hottest day (over 100 degrees!) and there wasn't a lick of wind, but I drank I don't know how many bottles of water to stay hydrated, pushed myself to the limit, and I made it. (Note: I've had heat exhaustion more than once and it makes you extra sensitive to heat from then on.)
Following camp, we spent a couple of extra days in the Glacier National Park area and I had my first actual camping experience in years. Korin loves camping! I like camping as well - in hotels and with running water. In spite of this, we had a good time and I enjoyed my first (and probably not last) camping experience at a KOA Campground. Check out our cute little cabin!
On our last full day in the area, we drove back into the national park to do a hike. We had almost had an experience with a bear a couple days previous, so I was in no frame of mind to go for a hike in the woods when there was a chance we might meet him again or come across one of his close relatives. But Korin wanted to go for a hike in the woods and didn't feel her trip would be complete without that, so off we went. Her words to me were, "What's the worst that could happen?" "Oh, let me give you a few scenarios..." I thought.
Anyway, to make a long story (and an even longer blog post) short, we had a great hike, saw some amazing natural sights, did not see a bear, and came across a beautiful hidden lake (Johns Lake) in the course of our travels. It was worth it. The End.
