Glacier - the Loop to Granite Chalet

The Going to the Sun Road was closed yesterday due to snow. Hoping it will re-open later today so we head to the Loop to Hike up to the Granite Chalet and then hopefully hike the Highline Trail to Logan's Pass where we will catch the Shuttle back to the Loop.  If the road opens to Logan's Pass our friends Dan and Earlene might hike the Highline Trail from Logan's Pass to Haystack Pass where we might hook up with them.

As we drive into the Park the snow is evident.  Going to the Sun Road is still closed just before Logan's Pass.

We arrive at the Loop.

It is across from Heaven's Peak is the highest of four peaks that form the divide between Camas Creek and McDonald Creek in Glacier

Before 2003 the Granite Park Trail passed through heavy woods, but lightning ignited a wildfire, which burned more than 19,000 acres.

This hike is about 4.5 miles one way to the Chalet and gains 2,400 ft in elevation.   If we can't make it to Logan's Pass we will try for the Grinnell Glacier overlook.

Once again we are in bear country

The 2003 fire leaves views

The foliage is starting to change color

We dressed for cooler weather but the it soon becomes going to the sun trial.

We catch a faint view of the parking lot below

 

Looks like we are no longer looking up to Heavens Peak

A guy we passed that was coming down the trail said he saw a bear at this turn just before we got here.  Once again we are a day late and a dollar short

There are a lot of berries on the Mountain Ash, guess they'll be getting a lot of snow this winter

It's starting to get cooler

We hear a jet above

Playing with my zoom I checked out the zoom.

Still some Snow on the ground!

 And some really cool ice formations

I think I see part of the Chalet

Getting closer

Really?  Stairs?

This is the view towards the Grinnell Glacier overlook trail and the Highline Trail.  You can barely make out the trail to the overlook junction and the highline trail is pretty much covered in snow.  Guess we'll be turning around

We had hoped to pick up more water up here but the Chalet closed for the season yesterday.

We go back the way we came.  On the way back we spot these deer.- safe from bear as long as we're on the trail

Back to the Bridge

Very happy  to see the truck.  We ran out of water about a mile before the end.

Tired, sore tootsies!

Hike along McDonald creek

Everytime we come back out of the Park I notice a bridge across McDonald Creek.  It is hidden from view when entering the park from the West side.  The road is closed from the Loop to Logans Pass because of winter weather, so today we decide to check out the bridge.  You can see snow on the mountains.

I am not sure where the turn off is for the hike.  We stop at this one - not it but nice water fall.

The next pull-out is it.  The Mountain View across the way is beautiful.

A short walk down the path and the bridge comes into view

Our friends Dan and Earlene strike a pose.

Looks like we are going to take a walk in the woods

The trail starts out following the Creek

Then goes through woods of tall tall trees 

and some interesting moss and fungus

Among all these tall trees these saplings look like bonsai

I walked off the length of this fallen tree and it was 100' even with the top missing

Looks like some light at the end of the tunnel and we can hear rushing water

 

We come to the other side of the overlook of the rapids 

 It's not quite as fast as it was in the Spring but it is still beautiful

 Not a bad place for a snack

You can see the power of the water over the rocks here.

Back through the jungle

 It is hard to describe just how green it is here.  It is like a fairy land

Complete with magic mushrooms.

The bark has been stripped from this tree it was smooth as could be.

Back to the creek

 At this point the walls are made of shale

and back to the bridge.

What a great hike.  On the way home we stop at Apgar Village to catch a full view of  Lake McDonald

Tomorrow we hope to tackle the Highline Trail from the Loop to Logan's Pass.