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#152
#152
I live 30 miles west of GNP and fish Lake McDonald frequently... that lake has so little boating/fishing pressure that makes it nice to get out there and relax, even when the fish refuse to play.

LakeMcDonald_8_3_13_450_zps0ab53974.jpg


But when the fish cooperate you generally get into a big one. This is a laker (below). As well, the lake has Bull Trout, Salmon, Rainbow. One aspect of that lake is the weather... one end is open and funnels wind into the lake and as quick as that it can go from glass to 3 ft white caps. Sunk my canoe at the ramp when I tried to beach it. Rough day that was.
Fish450_8-14-13_zps4b808381.jpg


For me... hiking is a bit of a worry. I have read far too many stories of hikers, hunters getting mauled by grizzly bears, so my hikes have been short and sweet. But I need to change that, and get out there.
 
#153
#153
Ulysees E. McGill said:
Thanks..that's good stuff. It reinforces what I was already leaning towards. I think the Many Glacier is my spot. I wish I could have gone there when I was young. There are not a lot of the best hikes in GNP that I can physically do now. I would have loved to do the Two Medicine to the Divide, but I just dont think I could handle it now. I think I could do Iceberg lake, Hidden lake and a few of the other shorter hikes.
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For a good reference on easy, reasonably short trails in Glacier, see Best Easy Day Hikes Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks (Best Easy Day Hikes Series) by Erik Molvar (Best Easy Day Hikes Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks (Best Easy Day Hikes Series): Erik Molvar: 9780762780990: Amazon.com: Books). You might also want to give these guys some consideration: Trail Ride Schedules and Rates - Swan Mountain Outfitters Glacier Division. They offer guided trail rides from the Many Glacier Hotel area.
 
#154
#154
Ulysees E. McGill said:
You know what it's really like. Pastors families have it rough. I'm blessed in that our kids made it through relatively unscathed. There is a very good reason that a lot of PKs get into so much trouble. The pressure to be perfect is unbearable. It almost destroyed me. I tried to be very cognitive of this problem with my children. I didn't want them to resent the sacrifices and tribulations that are a integral part of the calling. I hope you are doing ok with it as well. Satan tries to stop faithful men by any means necessary. The worst attacks are the ones on your family. It is my softest spot.
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PKs unite! The fishbowl is truly way more difficult to handle for a teenaged kid than people realize. I remember running into a friend from church in a local redneck bar when I was in high school (drinking age was 18 way back then). We had a few laughs and all was good but he happened to mention it to the wrong person and next thing you know I was the center of an enormous scandal. I still remember wondering why, when everyone was talking about so-and-so seeing me in that bar, no one ever asked what he was doing there. What people don't realize is that when your dad is the minister and you live in a church-owned house, one dumbass teen scandal can cost you your home and your family's livelihood. It's a lot of pressure for a stupid kid who wants nothing more than to be a stupid kid.
 
#155
#155
Ulysees E. McGill said:
Glacier is second on the list of trips we are taking in the future. I've go to do Yosemite and The Grand Canyon first. I'm going to try to do them both, and Death Valley NP on a loop trip starting in Phoenix. Anybody drove Tioga pass into or out of Yosemite?
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We drive over Tioga pass at least once a year. Its a slow crawl in our rig, but well worth the drive. If you are camping, here's a tip: after you drive up the pass, rather than stay at the almost always overcrowded campgrounds in the park, try the campground at Saddlebag Lake. The 2 mile long road to Saddlebag is at the top of the pass, just before you enter Yosemite. If I remember correctly, the camp is at 10,200 feet. One of our favorite hikes in the world is the 20 Lakes Trail, an easy day hike loop that starts on the other side of Saddlebag from the campground.
 
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#156
#156
NEVolFan said:
I live 30 miles west of GNP and fish Lake McDonald frequently... that lake has so little boating/fishing pressure that makes it nice to get out there and relax, even when the fish refuse to play.

LakeMcDonald_8_3_13_450_zps0ab53974.jpg


But when the fish cooperate you generally get into a big one. This is a laker (below). As well, the lake has Bull Trout, Salmon, Rainbow. One aspect of that lake is the weather... one end is open and funnels wind into the lake and as quick as that it can go from glass to 3 ft white caps. Sunk my canoe at the ramp when I tried to beach it. Rough day that was.
Fish450_8-14-13_zps4b808381.jpg


For me... hiking is a bit of a worry. I have read far too many stories of hikers, hunters getting mauled by grizzly bears, so my hikes have been short and sweet. But I need to change that, and get out there.
Click to expand...
Nice fish, did you catch that? And crap on grizzly bears! They're the devil!
 
#159
#159
Ulysees E. McGill said:
Glacier is second on the list of trips we are taking in the future. I've go to do Yosemite and The Grand Canyon first. I'm going to try to do them both, and Death Valley NP on a loop trip starting in Phoenix. Anybody drove Tioga pass into or out of Yosemite?
Click to expand...


If you are going to visit the Grand Canyon on that trip, try to squeeze in the San Francisco Peaks as well; they are the highest mountains in Arizona. "Humphreys Peak, at 12,633 feet, is the tallest in Arizona. Agassiz Peak soars to 12,356 feet, and Fremont Peak climbs to 11,969 feet" (San Francisco Peaks | Flagstaff Arizona). The San Francisco Peaks are only a few miles north of Flagstaff.

Scenic Drives At San Francisco Peaks

"While just about any road through the Peaks can be considered scenic and offer visitors dramatic views of the soaring mountains, pine forests, volcanic rims, and diverse wildlife, there are four designated scenic drives through the area that offer particularly beautiful views of the backcountry:

[T]he Peaks Loop (Peaks Scenic Loop Drive Around San Francisco Peaks | Flagstaff, Arizona) consists of 44 miles of forest service roads that are well maintained and suitable for passenger cars in most weather. The road is closed in winter. Found along FR 418 and FR 151, visitors can enjoy trailheads for hiking and mountain biking, wildlife viewing and dramatic fall color in the pine and aspen forest.

Schultz Pass Road (Schultz Pass Road | Schultz Pass Scenic Drive | Flagstafff, Arizona) covers 26 miles and provides access for picnicking, hiking and mountain biking as well. Schultz Pass is also closed in winter.

Snowbowl Road (Snowbowl Scenic Drive | Flagstaff, Arizona) is just 15 miles along paved roads that are plowed in winter, taking visitors through the mountain scenery on their way to backcountry hiking, biking, and through exceptional fall color. This is also the road to the Snowbowl Ski Area.

At 70 miles, the Volcanoes and Ruins Loop is the longest scenic drive in the Peaks, and although the roads are paved, can be icy in winter. Here visitors can enjoy picnicking, hiking, wildlife viewing, and get close up views of Indian Ruins and volcanoes."
 
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#160
#160
Ulysees E. McGill said:
Thanks..that's good stuff. It reinforces what I was already leaning towards. I think the Many Glacier is my spot. I wish I could have gone there when I was young. There are not a lot of the best hikes in GNP that I can physically do now. I would have loved to do the Two Medicine to the Divide, but I just dont think I could handle it now. I think I could do Iceberg lake, Hidden lake and a few of the other shorter hikes.
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On the west side of the park, the Avalanche Lake trail (Avalanche Lake – Hike to Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park) would be a good choice for you. It begins at the Trail of the Cedars trailhead, located 5.5 miles east of the Lake McDonald Lodge, and takes you initially through the only pocket of Northwest Coast vegetation in Glacier, namely "western hemlocks and red cedars. Situated on the eastern edge of the maritime climate of the Pacific Northwest, the Lake McDonald Valley also marks the extreme eastern limits for these trees. The humidity in this valley allows the cedars to grow to heights of 100 feet, and diameters of 4 to 7 feet. Some of the trees in this area are more than 500 years old."

The roundtrip length of this trail is only 4.5 miles. It does have one short, but steep, segment, but the total elevation gain is only 730 feet. Furthermore, the altitude shouldn't get to you; highest elevation is 4,031 feet. When you reach Avalanche Lake, you will be rewarded by views of a lake that is fed by, I believe, five separate waterfalls (see https://www.facebook.com/HikingProj...297759534262/1126279080736127/?type=3&theater and https://www.facebook.com/GlacierNat...170271345082/1107247715970661/?type=3&theater). This is a very popular area, so parking could be at a premium. You will find, however, that the lush vegetation in this area contrasts dramatically with what you will experience on the eastern side of the park.

The Trail of the Cedars (Trail of the Cedars – Hike the Trail of the Cedars in Glacier National Park), which begins at the same trailhead, is also well worth your time. It is "one of two wheelchair accessible trails in Glacier," and is much shorter (1.0 miles roundtrip) and flatter (only 60 feet elevation gain) than the Avalanche Lake trail.
 
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#161
#161
joevol33 said:
Nice fish, did you catch that? And crap on grizzly bears! They're the devil!
Click to expand...


Actually, Joe, the Northern Rockies simply wouldn’t be the same without Griz. You are never more alive in the backcountry than when you enter an area in which you KNOW that man is not the apex predator. Having said that, grizzlies are more truly omnivorous than carnivorous. To quote an old line from the movie Rocky, however, they can quickly inflict a “variety of damage” upon a person if, in their minds, they have been provoked.

I may have been visited by a grizzly once in Glacier, although I did not test my luck to definitively make an identification. It was probably about 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning and I was camped at Mokowanis Lake (https://www.facebook.com/0neAlmight...0965784341694/689755524462718/?type=3&theater), which is accessible by the Stoney Indian Pass Trail (Stoney Indian Pass Trail - Hikes in Glacier National Park Montana). I was awakened by the sound of something large that was crashing through the underbrush. Silence ensued for a few moments, followed by splashing in the lake, more silence followed by more splashing and the cycle repeated for a third time before the departure of this animal. I lay very still in my sleeping bag throughout this process and did not startle my visitor by unzipping the tent flap to see what was out there. I was never able to determine with certainty its identity, but the amount of noise that it made certainly suggests that it could have been an elk, moose, or GRIZ.

Signs were posted along the trail indicating that grizzlies had been cited in the area, although no aggression toward humans had been reported. As this trail description indicates, “The Mokowanis Lake-Mount Merritt Area is known for grizzly bears. For some reason, they love the slopes of Mount Merritt, which is directly above Mokowanis Lake.” It certainly is a great area for viewing wildlife; I was visited by a loon on Mokowanis Lake. To be precise, I heard its mournful, warbling cry, certainly one of the signature sounds of wilderness, before seeing it. I also saw at great distance either bighorn or mountain goats high on the rock face of nearby peaks. Again, I heard the sound of loose shale/scree moving beneath their feet, as they traversed that area, long before I spotted them with binoculars.
 
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#165
#165
Volosaurus rex said:
Actually, Joe, the Northern Rockies simply wouldn’t be the same without Griz. You are never more alive in the backcountry than when you enter an area in which you KNOW that man is not the apex predator. Having said that, grizzlies are more truly omnivorous than carnivorous. To quote an old line from the movie Rocky, however, they can quickly inflict a “variety of damage” upon a person if, in their minds, they have been provoked.

I may have been visited by a grizzly once in Glacier, although I did not test my luck to definitively make an identification. It was probably about 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning and I was camped at Mokowanis Lake, which is accessible by the Stoney Indian Pass Trail (Stoney Indian Pass Trail - Hikes in Glacier National Park Montana). I was awakened by the sound of something large that was crashing through the underbrush. Silence ensued for a few moments, followed by splashing in the lake, more silence followed by more splashing and the cycle repeated for a third time before the departure of this animal. I lay very still in my sleeping bag throughout this process and did not startle my visitor by unzipping the tent flap to see what was out there. I was never able to determine with certainty its identity, but the amount of noise that it made certainly suggests that it could have been an elk, moose, or GRIZ.

Signs were posted along the trail indicating that grizzlies had been cited in the area, although no aggression toward humans had been reported. As this trail description indicates, “The Mokowanis Lake-Mount Merritt Area is known for grizzly bears. For some reason, they love the slopes of Mount Merritt, which is directly above Mokowanis Lake.” It certainly is a great area for viewing wildlife; I was visited by a loon on Mokowanis Lake. To be precise, I heard its mournful, warbling cry, certainly one of the signature sounds of wilderness, before seeing it. I also saw at great distance either bighorn or mountain goats high on the rock face of nearby peaks. Again, I heard the sound of loose shale/scree moving beneath their feet, as they traversed that area, long before I spotted them with binoculars.
Click to expand...

I just have an insane fear of bears! Ha
 
#166
#166
NEVolFan said:
I live 30 miles west of GNP and fish Lake McDonald frequently... that lake has so little boating/fishing pressure that makes it nice to get out there and relax, even when the fish refuse to play.

LakeMcDonald_8_3_13_450_zps0ab53974.jpg


But when the fish cooperate you generally get into a big one. This is a laker (below). As well, the lake has Bull Trout, Salmon, Rainbow. One aspect of that lake is the weather... one end is open and funnels wind into the lake and as quick as that it can go from glass to 3 ft white caps. Sunk my canoe at the ramp when I tried to beach it. Rough day that was.
Fish450_8-14-13_zps4b808381.jpg


For me... hiking is a bit of a worry. I have read far too many stories of hikers, hunters getting mauled by grizzly bears, so my hikes have been short and sweet. But I need to change that, and get out there.
Click to expand...

we rented a little boat and went from one end of that lake to the other. There were some times when the wind kicked up a pretty big chop and the water just looked the color of a lawn and leaf bag; dark and foreboding. Had a few second thoughts about not staying closer to shore.

I hear you about Grizzlies. We stayed in 3 campgrounds in the park and they made you so dang bear paranoid it was hard to sleep (tent) at night.
 
#167
#167
joevol33 said:
I just have an insane fear of bears! Ha
Click to expand...


That is entirely understandable. Grizzlies are powerful animals that are incredibly fast for their size (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QIMmXXanbs). With respect to aggressive behavior, the only thing predictable about Griz is that they are utterly unpredictable. A person can follow all of the "correct" precautionary protocols in bear country and, if they are in the wrong place at the wrong time, experience a most undesirable outcome.
 
#169
#169
Volosaurus rex said:
That is entirely understandable. Grizzlies are powerful animals that are incredibly fast for their size (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QIMmXXanbs). With respect to aggressive behavior, the only thing predictable about Griz is that they are utterly unpredictable. A person can follow all of the "correct" precautionary protocols in bear country and, if they are in the wrong place at the wrong time, experience a most undesirable outcome.
Click to expand...

You are correct.
 
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#170
#170
Staying on the Glacier topic... some photos.

Lake MacDonald (a couple winters ago it was bitter cold here and the lake froze)... By the way the lake is ~10 miles long, mile or so wide and depth of ~420 feet.
McDonaldLodge3000_zpsf9ff811b.jpg


LakeMcDonaldSunset_Pano1-18_1-2_2000-1_zpsa6305420.jpg


Trout Lake trail... google this as... Night of the Grizzly's. Same night in different locations, campers lost their lives to the bears. Trout Lake trail gives me chills, and I only hiked a little part.
TroutLakeTrail_opt3_zps63c9be9b.jpg


Lake is super clear... another trout (that I caught Joe),
8-30-13_laker_zps544ce336.jpg
 
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#171
#171
NEVolFan said:
Staying on the Glacier topic... some photos.

Lake MacDonald (a couple winters ago it was bitter cold here and the lake froze)... By the way the lake is ~10 miles long, mile or so wide and depth of ~420 feet.
McDonaldLodge3000_zpsf9ff811b.jpg


LakeMcDonaldSunset_Pano1-18_1-2_2000-1_zpsa6305420.jpg


Trout Lake trail... google this as... Night of the Grizzly's. Same night in different locations, campers lost their lives to the bears. Trout Lake trail gives me chills, and I only hiked a little part.
TroutLakeTrail_opt3_zps63c9be9b.jpg


Lake is super clear... another trout (that I caught Joe),
8-30-13_laker_zps544ce336.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice!
 
#173
#173
The other fatal attack that night occurred at the backcountry campsite near Granite Park Chalet (https://www.facebook.com/GlacierNPS...74553624911/10153703510529912/?type=3&theater). For what little it is worth, I have safely hiked the Highline Trail (Highline Trail Hike- Hiking the Highline Trail Glacier Park Hikes) from Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet. It is one of the most popular trails in the park and for good reason; it offers magnificent, largely unobstructed views since most of the terrain that it traverses is above timberline.
 
#174
#174
Agree about Highline... from Logan Pass, where the trail is only 2-3 feet wide and drops off several hundred feet we met a mountain goat coming towards us... no room for both parties on the trail, so the goat approached us and then went over the side and came back up just past us. Amazing ability to climb on nubs of rocks.
 
#175
#175
While we are on the topic of grizzlies, allow me to share one of the more humorous stories I have ever heard about this ursine species. I believe that this account was originally published in Andy Russell’s book, Grizzly Country. In any event, a man was driving his car/truck down an Alberta (?) road at dusk. He saw a distant grizzly slowly crossing the road in front of him and, in an expression of momentary stupidity, decided to play a joke on the bear. He turned off his lights and engine, then proceeded to coast up behind the bear as quietly and closely as possible. He then discharged a long, loud burst of his horn at the bear. You can imagine the bear’s reaction. Take an already immensely powerful animal, stimulate him/her with a sudden surge of adrenaline and anger. Voila! This griz just about jumps out of its skin. Before doing so, however, the enraged bear brings both forepaws up and slams them down on the vehicle’s hood, virtually crushing the engine block. After disabling the vehicle, the bear then skedaddles up the side of the nearest mountain. I can just imagine the conversation the driver had with his car insurance agent the next day . . .
 
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