Because of some medical issues Candy and I did not get to Glacier at the end of July when we usually go. Instead we had a shorter three day trip in mid-September. It was an interesting time to be in Glacier Park. There were many fewer people than in July and August. The Park already had snow – enough that the Going to the Sun Road was closed from Jackson Glacier Overlook to Logan Pass for several days before we arrived. And both park facilities and east side businesses were closing for the season. There were certainly fewer plants in bloom than in late July but I found a few as well as fruit on plants.
We arrived at the Great Falls airport Saturday, September 16, in the early evening and drove to Dupuyer. We spent the night at the Buffalo Wallow Motel, a new place behind Buffalo Joe’s Eatery and Saloon. Staying in Dupuyer got us more than halfway to the east side of Glacier which was important because we were meeting some folks from the Chat Page for breakfast at Swiftcurrent at 8:00 am on Sunday morning. We left the motel shortly after 6:00 am on Sunday
We arrived at the Buffalo Wallow Motel after dark on Saturday and left before sunrise on Sunday. This picture was taken a couple days later when we were headed back to Great Falls.
Sunrise on Glacier from the Duck Lake Road
We arrived at Swiftcurrent shortly before 8:00. Pete and Toddnick were already at breakfast, Teapot57 (Tina) joined us shorty after we arrived. Todd was on his way to the airport as he wrapped up his trip. Pete had come over to meet Todd and to hike. Tina was in Glacier for the weekend and had hiked with Todd the day before. After breakfast Tina, Pete and I decided to try hiking to Appikuny Falls and perhaps climb above the falls and hike in that valley.
The day started out with clear skies but some clouds and haze moved in by mid-morning. The temperature was crisp but not at all unpleasant for hiking. While there was snow in some areas of the park we did not encounter any on the Appkiuny Falls hike. The falls had water but not at lot.
Appikuny Falls
Appikuny Falls
A juniper with berries near Appikuny Falls.
Mountain Ash
After the falls we started on the trail that goes up on the rocks to the east of the Appikuny Falls Trail. Soon we came out into the area that looks like a giant rockfall.
Area to the East of Appikuny Falls
Area to the East of Appikuny Falls
Pete near the top of the rocks.
After climbing up on the rocks we started back into the valley on the obvious trail.
Bearberry
Tina on the trail.
The trail is mostly in the open with some places where we walk though short trees. We walked about one half to three quarters of a mile. At that point the wind had gotten much stronger, so strong that it was difficult to stand at times. We decided to turn back.
Tina and Pete on the trail.
A dead tree.
Tina and Pete descending through the rocks.
Perhaps the most photogenic dead tree.
The Appikuny Falls area from the Many Glacier Road. The snow-capped red rock in the background is part of Appikuny Mountain.
After the Appikuny Falls hike Tina headed back to Calgary. Pete and I decided to drive to Logan Pass. The Going to the Sun Road had been closed from the Jackson Glacier Overlook to Logan Pass because of snow but had re-opened the day before. I picked up Candy at the Many Glacier Hotel and we met Pete at Logan Pass.
Piegan Mountain from the Logan Pass parking lot.
Pete and I hiked to the Hidden Lake overlook. The snow from a few days earlier had melted except for snow in a few shaded areas along the boardwalk.
Garden Wall
A few flowers were still in bloom.
Paintbrush
Yarrow
Red Leaves and Grass
From the Hidden Lake Trail, Going to the Sun Mountain in the right center, then Matahpi Peak to its left, then Siyeh Mountain left of Matahpi. Siyeh has the most new snow.
Going to the Sun Mountain and the Small Pond near the Hidden Lake Overlook
The new snow really highlights the features of Mount Reynolds.
On Sunday and Monday nights we stayed at Thronsons in Babb. The room was quite comfortable although as advertised there was no wi-fi access and only one channel on the television. It was a good time to read a book.
On Sunday evening we had dinner at Two Sister’s. Two Sister’s was closing the next weekend and the waiter had to tell us that a couple items on the menu were no longer available. After dinner we drove back to the Many Glacier Hotel for the last Native Speaks presentation of the year with Jack Gladstone. The Many Glacier Hotel would be closing on Tuesday.