Thanks for your kind encouragement, teapot, joybird, al and dpratt!
So, not waking up until 6 am meant that we were already behind schedule for the second hike - another 14 miler - from Jackson Glacier Overlook to Sperry Chalet on the Gunsight Pass Trail. (I hit the jackpot last winter when I got a reservation for 3 nights at the chalet.) I'm a slow but steady hiker who stops to smell the roses (and photograph them), and I had figured on a leisurely 8 - 10 hours. With the goal of arriving in time for the 6 pm dinner, we had to hustle to pack our packs, move out of the B&B, drop off a duffel of goodies to be carried up by mule, and get to the trailhead by 8 am. About 3 miles down the trail, I tripped and fell, which, sadly, is not out of the ordinary for me. I'm usually good for one klutzy spill per trip - a reliable source of much hilarity in my family, as I've fallen into mud, shrubbery, etc., over the years. This time, the line securing my scree gaiter under my boot had become a little loose, and snagged on a root. I couldn't free my foot to recover, and slammed into the ground chest first. It was epic. It knocked the wind out of me, and it took a few minutes before I could let my son help me up. I popped a couple of vitamin A (Advil) tablets, continued on, and was rewarded with this view.
(L to R) Mt. Jackson, Gunsight Pass, Fusillade Mountain.
The Pep Boys wanted to take a side hike to Florence Falls, but again, I had to decline. We agreed to meet at Gunsight Lake, and I enjoyed the next two views all by myself.
Blackfoot and Jackson Glaciers with fireweed.
Mt. Jackson
I had lunch at the lake before the guys caught up to me. Not gonna lie, the next three miles up to the pass looked daunting, so I took off alone again to get a little head start while the fellas ate their lunch.
Gunsight Pass above Gunsight Lake
A couple of miles up the trail I ran into this cheeky goat, who had the temerity to begin gnawing on my hiking pole handles while I was trying to photograph him! A sharp "absolutely not!" discouraged him enough for me to recover my poles.
More goat games followed after the men caught up. Here, a herd with a kid occupied the trail and surrounding area at the edge of a drop-off. To pass or not to pass? We decided against possibly getting butted off the side of the mountain, and commenced to make a long, steep detour above the goats.
The views continued to amaze as we gained the pass and trekked the final 5 miles, exhausted and pushing hard not to miss dinner.
Gunsight Lake, with Going to the Sun Mountain, center, and Matahpi Peak to its left.
Lake Owen Wilson, as my son calls it. (Lake Ellen Wilson)
Guard Goats of Glacier: You Shall Not Pass!
We arrived at the chalet dining hall at 6:03, and were shown to our table just as they were beginning to serve the salads. Mission accomplished!
To be continued.
Glacier Park Chat
