Glacier - Hike to Hidden Lake

This week's hike in Glacier is to Hidden Lake. The trail head starts at the Logan Pass visitor's center and is usually full by 8 a.m.  We would have to leave at 6 a.m. so we decide to start in the later afternoon when everyone is finishing up and heading off to dinner.

Looks like it may be a good plan as all the cars are heading out.

Seems the only traffic going in is us and a few lone bicyclists

The scenery on this road never gets old

 Looks like the Red Bus tours are doing well

There are still waterfalls flowing

 We arrive at the visitor's center 

Got here at 4:45 and there were a few parking spots and more people were leaving.

 Let the games begin.  It is a 1.5 mile hike to the Overlook and then another 1.5 miles to the Lake.

 

 The beginning of the trail is a raised boardwalk. It helps to keep people off the snow and slush in the Spring.  When we were here a month ago, it was buried in snow. 

 Beautiful views of the Mountains

 and you pass through fields of wild flowers it is known as the Garden Wall

It isn't long before we see our first Mountain Goat

The Snow is still melting and running off the mountains

and across the meadows

the Mountain Goat decides to cross the boardwalk and of course has the right of way

 A shallow run off pond

 Another Mountain Goat

 

 We also run across a hoary marmot

 Still some snow here and there

and still more Mountain Goats

 

 

We finally reach the overlook 

and decide to continue on to the Lake itself

Looks like it's going to be a bit of a stretch

 There are so many wildflowers along the way

 The crowds seemed to stop at the Overlook and we have the trail to ourselves

 A couple of young guys come by the other direction and offer to take a picture of us.

 The trail down to the lake looks challenging. Gary says he's content with the view from here, but I want to dip my feet in the water so he comes along.

 You can barely see a mother mountain goat and baby on the trail below.

 a Selfie for the selfie challenged

 Mom and her kid are making their way up the hill

Hi Mom!

Almost there!

 I can feel the water on my toes!

 Gary takes a break

and I take my shoes off!

 and skip some stones

 What a view!

A rock looks like someone watching us from the Mountain across the way

Uh Oh - the trek back up to the trail

 

Not so bad if you stop and smell the flowers

The sun is getting read to go behind the mountains in back of us and casts and lovely light on the Lake

Looks like Mama Mountain Goat and her Kid that came up the hill found a resting spot ahead

 They didn't flinch as we walked by

 The baby just looked at us with curiosity

Time to head back

 a rock ledge overview

More Mountain goats appear as we near the Overlook

I feel like I'm in Switzerland or or Austria and should hear a yodel or the Sound of Music

Three Billy Goats Gruff

This lollygagger gives a hiker a sideways glance

 

 and then there were 5

Back to the Boardwalk

and the Visitors center

Where we find 2 Bighorn Sheep in the Parking Lot

I thought they were licking slurpees off the pavement but I guess they are going for the dripping anti-freeze - not good!

We finish around 8:45 p.m. and hiked a total of 7.5 miles.  Best hike so far!