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!