Glacier National Park
A one night stop in Glacier National Park
USA
During our journey to Yellowstone National Park, we spent a night at Glacier National Park in Montana, celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, majestic peaks, and pristine glaciers. Arriving around mid-day, we had time to drive along the renowned Going-to-the-Sun Road and embark on the Hidden Lake Trail.
Beginning at the Logan Pass Visitor Center, the trail is clearly marked with ample boardwalks for easy navigation. Just as we ascended the stairs from the parking lot, a ranger sprinted towards us from further up the trail, cautioning us to stay put. In an instant, a sizable grizzly bear bounded down the path. While I was momentarily stunned, Janet leapt into action with the camera and managed to capture a few photos with our zoom camera before the bear vanished into the underbrush.
The highlight of the hike is reaching the Hidden Lake Overlook. Unfortunately we were fully in the fire season and there was a lot of smoke in the air reducing visibility. Generally you can marvel at the crystal-clear waters of the lake and the towering peaks that surround it but we were only able to see a bit through the haze. The sign marks the different features and what the view would look like on a clear day. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the beauty of this hidden gem in Glacier National Park.
After that initial rush of adrenaline we started to make our way along the trail. We were surrounded by vibrant alpine meadows and towering cliffs in the distance.
We then hiked back to Logan Pass Visitor Center and started driving down the Going-to-the-Sun road back to our campsite. We stopped at several natural roadside water features and admired the engineering and construction that went into building this road nearly 100 years ago.
Glacier National Park boasts a plethora of distinctive sights and hiking trails to explore. Although we only had one day for a brief excursion, the park's allure has left us eager to return for further adventures! Happy exploring!
