Glacier Madness, August 21 - 28, 2015

[Sue Z]

Part 5 (the last, I promise). Day three was a waterfall extravaganza. As the Stoney Indian trail climbed to the top of each majestic falls, another one would come into view. The switchbacks on the final push up to Stoney Indian Pass were lush with ripe huckleberries. My daughter and I had blue lips by the time we reached the top.

Hiking toward the height


Under-engineered bridge


Might be Paiota Falls. I lost track.


Moss green


Alpenglow on Stoney Indian Peaks


The fourth day's hike was an easy downhill to Kootenai Lake. We whiled away the afternoon hiking around the lake and watching a bunch of crazy ducks zipping across the water.

Ducks Run Amok: Merganser Madness on Kootenai Lake!


Lake shore


Last night selfie


Smoky lake sunset


On day five, my daughter woke us at 6:30 am to watch for moose. We were rewarded with a brief visit by a mama and her calf (lousy photo not included). The short hike to Goat Haunt/Waterton Lake was over in a flash, and we caught the 11:25 am boat back to Waterton - a lovely cruise to end the trip.

Smoky Citadel Peaks


Smoky Waterton Lake


Smoky Cruise ship

[Jen]

I want to take a nap on that moss!!!!!

[PJ]

Thanks for the report, it was a joy to read and see all the pictures!

[joybird]

Yes! Appreciated the report and pictures…and the "ducks run amok" video was way cool!

[paul]

Glad you had a nice time. Backpacking in the Belly River area is a great way to end a trip. Aside from the smoke, looks like the weather was great!

-Paul

[Jay w]

I like the smoke pictures. Thanks for posting. It's kind of like fog.

http://nature365.tv/video-september-25-2015/

Jay

[Sue Z]

I want to take a nap on that moss!!!!!

Everything was so dry and dusty from the heat and drought that the moss stood out like some alien species.

[Sue Z]

I like the smoke pictures. Thanks for posting. It's kind of like fog.

http://nature365.tv/video-september-25-2015/

Jay

An optimist! Unfazed by the haze.

[Sue Z]

Yes! Appreciated the report and pictures…and the "ducks run amok" video was way cool!

I don't know if that's standard duck behavior, but we thought it was hilarious. We laughed like loons!

[Sue Z]

Glad you had a nice time. Backpacking in the Belly River area is a great way to end a trip. Aside from the smoke, looks like the weather was great!

-Paul

Truth. Not a drop of rain. I guess that's a fair trade-off for some heat and smoke.

[Sue Z]

Thanks for the report, it was a joy to read and see all the pictures!

Thanks for your kind words. I love reading trip reports, and find them invaluable in planning my own trips.