Climber's Guide to Glacier National Park
By J. Gordon Edwards. Excellent guidebook--exhaustive and detailed, yet concise. Also the only guidebook, making it a must-buy. Make sure you buy the 1995 edition.
St. Mary Falls, Glacier NP, Montana
Red Eagle Lake hike - August 18, 2002. Kim and I
took a short hike down the trail toward Red Eagle Lake from Robert's house to acquaint
ourselves with the area. Although we turned around before what is reputed to be the
best part, the suspension bridge, we enjoyed the views nontheless.
St Mary Falls - August 19, 2002. My back was really
sore for the first few days in Glacier. So before getting a massage in Cardston, AB,
Kim and I did the popular little hike from Sun Point to St. Mary Falls and back. If
you have only an hour, skip everything but Sun Point and St. Mary Falls. Bering Falls,
halfway in between, was nice, but skippable.
Siyeh Pass through hike - August 21, 2002. Kim,
Robert, and I started at Siyeh Bend, hiked over Siyeh Pass, then exited via Bering
Creek Trail at Sunrift Gorge. My favorite hike of our visit, and one of my favorites
of all-time. Stunning displays of all the goodies of high-alpine terrain: wildflowers,
meadows, lakes, streams, big topography, and to top it off, big views.
Swiftcurrent Pass through hike - August 22, 2002. Kim,
Robert, and I began at Logan Pass, then hiked to the Granite Park Chalet via the Highline
Trail. After a (too big) lunch, we crested Swiftcurrent Pass and exited via Many Glacier,
where Robert's car was waiting, thanks to a car shuttle. In spite of big crowds, we saw
lots of wildlife close to or on the trail: Ptarmigans, Mountain Goats, the elusive Pika,
and even a few Bull Moose! The staggering topographical relief and varied scenery of
the Many Glacier area really blew my mind.
Going-to-the-Sun Mountain and Matahpi Peak - August 24, 2002.
Kim, Robert, and I did a little peak bagging. We scrambled up 9600-foot+ Going-to-the-Sun
Mountain, overcoming steep terrain, loose rock, and the infamous "Nasty Gully" on our way
to the summit. Feeling masochistic, or maybe just energized, thanks to "Gu", we then
scrambled up 9365-foot Matahpi Peak for more incredible views.