Glacier National Park – Part 1 – Avalanche Lake

August 19th, 2019

Here I am, heading down I-90 on a gorgeous Monday morning. Having spent the night in Spokane, WA, I was on my way to Glacier National Park in beautiful Montana.

I arrive at my hotel, check-in, and then head out to GNP to scout the area and come up with a plan.

I get on Going-to-the-Sun Rd. Driving on this road was the beginning of one of my life’s ultimate adventures. It is also why I deem GNP as the “Cathedral of Parks” on my trip.

Let’s start with Heaven’s Peak. Fitting, eh?

After getting some photos, I turn around and proceed towards a trailhead for a hike that I wanted to do in the morning. I then see this…

A bit dissatisfied, I head back to my car. I no sooner than start walking, and run into a father and daughter from Ohio. We strike up conversation, and I soon learn about another trail that I can hike.

On my way back down the road, I passed a jam packed trailhead for Avalanche Lake. My plan was to arrive there early and knock that hike out. Then leave, and go to the Grinnell Glacier. This is where they were going.

I stopped and took this photo just before the Avalanche Lake trailhead.

While I was unable to get pictures of all the scenery, you may be getting the idea as to why I am calling it the “Cathedral of Parks”.

Avalanche Lake

August 20th, 2019

I wake up at 6am, and head out for Avalanche Lake Trailhead. I arrive about 7am, and waste no time. Cars were pulling in like mad. I get on the trail and quickly notice many “retiree’s” on the path.

Being that I was attempting to knock out two hikes in one day, I had my turbo’s on and passed several people. I then come to a break in the trail, and notice many people stopped and taking photos of this…

The first of many ice melt waterfalls. Gorgeous!

If you’re wondering, the water was very cold. However, this is NOT where Coors was born.

What you see next, blew me away…

Absolutely amazing… I then move on, and come to Avalanche Lake.

Unfortunately, this was all I could see at this point. I got back on the trail, and headed further down the lake.

I came a dried up creek, and noticed the glacier water has turned these stones purple and blue. Very cool.

I then turn the corner and literally, as you can see, walk right up on this deer as it ate. Then I hear behind me, another one.

And one more, a fawn!

At last, the view I was looking for! Mirror image! I believe that is Heaven’s Peak in the distance.

Simply beautiful. I then start heading back and grab some more photos as the sun had come out.

On my way back, I met a guy who was trail running. I decided to join him and literally ran down the rugged 3 mile trail in a flash. I got to the entry walkway, or Mario Cart, and resumed speed hiking. I later learned that I blew right by a good friend of mine from Ohio. Small world.

Miles: 7
Time: 2:35 minutes
Elevation gain: 897 feet