Category Archives: USA

Redrock Falls to Bullhead Lake — East Glacier Hikes, Part 1

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It’s now “Day Four” of my Glacier National Park vacation, and the only “bigger than a breadbox” wildlife sightings I have seen amount to one lousy goat.  Sure, there have been marmots, chipmunks, squirrels. But nothing worth getting excited about. Now that I am on the more remote east side, I think my chances will improve.   In fact, my anticipation is bordering on angst, as I have heard the likelihood of encountering bears on the trail is much greater in this section of the park. Continue reading →

The Mini-Glaciers of Many Glacier

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I really want to visit Many Glacier campground during the second half of my week-long vacation in Glacier National Park.   It is considered to be the “heart” of Glacier, and also the only way for an RV of my size (over 21 ft long, 8 ft wide) to be able to camp in the interior of the park, as the Winnie is not allowed on the only road that crosses the interior, the Going to the Sun Road. Continue reading →

Hidden Lake — West Glacier Hikes, Part II

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My third day in Glacier National Park and still no wildlife sightings bigger than a bread box.   I awake to sun peeping through the clouds in Apgar Campground with the promise of another beautiful day.  I have decided to take the shuttle back up to the top of Logan Pass, the Continental Divide.  I am feeling ambitious today,  so I plan to do two hikes from Logan Pass because I can’t decide which one sounds more appealing; the wildflowers of Hidden Lake, or the vistas of the Highline. So I pack a lunch and plan on both. Continue reading →

Avalanche Lake — West Glacier Hikes, Part 1

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All comforts aside at the Pine Near RV Park, the thing that really kept me anchored in Winthrop for three days was my insane job.  I had scheduled 10 days off on vacation to visit Glacier National Park.  I always say you don’t really take a vacation from my corporate job…you just shove a week’s worth of work to either side.  Once clients realize you are leaving, they start piling on the “one last thing before you go” list.

It was also a much longer drive from North Cascades to Glacier National Park than I had anticipated.  It was a gorgeous drive along the Jocko and Flathead Rivers, following the expansive Flathead Lake just outside of Kallispell, with its 160 miles of shoreline. Continue reading →

The Bear Facts about Glacier National Park

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Glacier National Park is a hiker’s paradise. Over 700 miles of trails lead through some of the most spectacular and wild country in the Rockies.

But this is also bear country. There are an estimated 1,000 bears in Glacier National Park – around 600 black bears, and less than 400 of the endangered grizzlies. Continue reading →

Going to the Sun in the Sun!

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What do you do when you arrive in Glacier National Park on a sunny day?   You drop everything and head straight for the “Going-to-the-Sun” Road!   Weather is fickle here in the park, and if you should get a sunny day, take every advantage!

The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a 50 mile stretch of two-lane that runs east to west, right through the heart of Glacier National Park.  In fact, the Going To The Sun Road is the only way you can access the park by automobile.  And not just any automobile.  Continue reading →

Winthrop, WA – Such a Lovely Place

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I originally planned to bypass Winthrop, in spite of the fact that some people had said “Don’t miss it!” I am not much for Western reenactments like Tombstone or Rawhide. When the men wearing spurs and bandanas tied around their necks come out with dueling pistols at high noon, I am outta there. But I got a late start leaving Newhalem due to a particularly busy day at work. Jim, Gayle, and Debbie had already gone before me, and reported back on a nice RV Park and a good brew pub, so how could I pass? Continue reading →

High on Maple Pass

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Though I am enjoying the beautiful “enchanted forest” of Newhalem Creek Campground, I am feeling the urge to “get high.” I know there are some incredible mountains around, but it seems as if most of them are hidden. Newhalem is only 500 ft in elevation, so any type of vista is tough to find through the thicket of trees.

It’s now the weekend, which means I have all day to hike. I am more of an endurance hiker than a speed hiker, so I like to do “big hikes” and take my time. Continue reading →

North Cascases National Park — Its Electrifying!

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In trying to make everything fit in before my planned September week-long vacation in Glacier National Park, I have to do a little mid-week travel, something I rarely do. But since I work Central Time Zone hours while on Pacific time, I am able to squeeze out a couple of extra hours of daylight. North Cascades National Park is an easy 76 mile drive from Anacortes, so I make a run for it mid-week, with the hopes of exploring the least crowded of our National Parks over the weekend. Continue reading →

Anacortes Revisited

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After my three day weekend in the San Juan Islands, I arrive back to the Anacortes Cap Sante Marina.   Already the place seems more welcoming as Jim and Gayle, Debbie, and Kim have all arrived, and Karen and Hailey are on their way.    The friendly faces and laughs help ease me through the “back to work blahs.” Continue reading →