Monday - Glacier North Fork - Bowman Lake

Today started out with cleaning the RV and defrosting the fridge. 
We decided to stay on this side of Glacier for a hike and go to the North Fork the less traveled part of the Park. 

The road follows the western border of the Park along the North Fork of the Flathead River.

There are remnants of fires in the area, the last one in 2003.  The change has brought rare Three Toed and Black Backed woodpeckers to the area.

But there is still a lot of  green.  The forests are so thick along the way you can't even see through them.

The Mountains are calling and we must go

The River is beautiful too

The paved road becomes dirt at this point

We cross the river several times along the way

The scenery changes from Mountains to Forest to Meadows

Maybe we could afford this fixer upper

This is what I like to see in the middle of wilderness.  Maybe we'll stop on the way back

Almost to Polebridge!

Our major intersection

First wildlife we've seen

 The Polebridge Mercantile

and Bakery.  We were told not to miss the Huckleberry Bear Claws
so we picked one up for breakfast and it was delicious!

 then back on the road.  This section of road is really rough so we can only go around 10 mph
and it still rattles the fillings.

 Whether you look north, south, east or west, it seems you get a view of the North Fork

Finally we reach the Polebridge Entrance to the Park

We had thought of doing both but it is getting late in the afternoon so we opt for Bowman

Again, you can see the forest rejuvenating 

We reach Bowman Lake campground as you can see the road is still a bit bumpy

 A walk through the woods

 and there it is!

It is a 7 mile hike to the other side of the Lake and we don't have that much time, but we decide to walk a portion of the trail anyways

I find this cool tree that fell into the lake.
 

 Just me being a bump on a log

 I hear a Loon out on the Lake and zoom in

The Lake is really calm and the view of the mountains is breathtaking

 Wish we had Kayaks here

 or a Paddleboard and Tucson

 Time to head back.  I though this tall pine was kind of cool

Stopped and went down to the river to get a shot

Gary waited in the Truck

Back to the Park

and on our way home


Tomorrow we will return and do Kintla Lake