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Mt. Baker, WA
With the weather cooperating somewhat, we decided to hike the Alger Lakes trail on Mt. Baker. Took the back roads to get there just because I wanted to see Linden, WA. They have a large Dutch community so it was like a little visit home.
Then on the Mt. Baker. It’s a long drive but beautiful, alongside the Nooksack river. It has the unique blue-ish color of glacier fed water.
Artist Point on the top of the mountain was still closed so we stopped at Heather Visitor Center. Had a quick lunch, put on our boots and jacket, and did two hikes from the visitor center.
Hit some rough rocky sections, but navigated them without difficulty. There still is snow up there but it won’t last long with the moderate temperatures of summer. In fact, we had to take off our jackets when the sun appeared. Then back up the long hill to the parking lot and the drive home.
A nice full day of local agricultural scenery, mountain scenery, and an enervating hike.
Goodbye, Glacier!
The time has come to leave Glacier NP and head for Michigan. We will miss the park, and undoubtedly will come back here another time. There is so much more to see! Here are some final pictures of our last hike to Fish Lake:
The first part of the trail is shared with horses. Watch your step!
Ahhh, that's more like a hiking trail!
One of the many creeks we had to cross.
Mostly uphill, the trail offered som very nice views over the valley
Finally, Fish Lake
Met these two campers who rode their Appaloosas in and out
Glacier: Avalanche Lake
A very popular hike is the Avalanche Trail to Avalanche Lake. It is a nice hike, ending with a stunning vista at the Lake. Along the way, you are rewarded with waterfalls, forests, and some wild animals. Fortunately, we missed the black bear that had visited this trail a short while before we got there.
This was a ranger led hike, with the ranger giving us very interesting information about the geology, the history, and the flora and fauna of the area.
Avalanche Gorge, near the start of the hike
The water carves a unique pattern in the rocks
A view along the trail
This knot hole caught my attention
Cow parsnips, a favorite food of the local bears
Oops, glad we missed the bear that dropped this!
Aaaaww.....
And finally, Avalanche Lake.
No matter how you take this picture, no matter what camera you use, there is no way to capture the beauty without seeing it in person. Glacier: we recommend this area in general, and this hike in particular, to everyone.
Glacier: Highline Trail
OK, we’ve been hiking for quite a few years but never on a trail like this! Absolutely stunning scenery, and some major drop-offs! Don’t even think of hiking this trail if you have a fear of heights. This trail is on the Continental Divide, and starts at 6,500 feet altitude. The hike itself isn’t too difficult, but as noted, don’t look down too much. Then, you will be rewarded with magnificent scenery, as well as some local wildlife up close.
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- Another little critter checking us out
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- A ground squirrel with his treasure
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- A local resident checks us out
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- One of the neighboring peaks
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- Check this view out!
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- … and the trail goes on….
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- Great scenery!
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- Time to start looking at the scenery
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- Surveying my surroundings
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- Romola checking out the scenery
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- Just watch where you put your feet
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- OK, now the trail is getting serious!
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- Romola crossing one of the glacier runoff streams
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- But first, cross some slushy snow
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- The start of the Highline Trail
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- Just think how this road was made almost 100 years ago
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- Mount Majestic, on the way up
Glacier: John Lake
Went for a short hike that started with a walk to John Lake, then along McDonald Creek, by McDonald Falls, and finally on a short boat trip in Lake McDonald. This is fabulous country, every way you look it is a scenic wonder. But do keep an eye out for the “locals”….
A warning for the hike.... make noise!
Just how does a tree grow like this? Our title: "kis your ### goodbye!"
Somewhat anti-climatic, but here's a view of John Lake
McDonald Falls
My favorite shot
America the beautiful!
Glacier – “Going to the Sun” road
One of the highlights of Glacier NP is the Going to the Sun road. About 60 miles long, it is ultrascenic, high up, and a “must visit”. But don’t drive it if you’re afraid of heights, the roads are narrow with huge dropoffs. We drove it halfway to Logan Pass, then returned. A wonderful day’s drive, even with the somewhat lengthy construction delays.
(Click on a grid picture to see a larger image. Click on the smaller pictures below to navigate backwards and forwards, or click on the large picture for a larger image)
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- The views are just incredible
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- McDonald Lake — very scenic!
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- A long view of McDonald Falls
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- McDonald Creek’s water is crystal clear (and cold!)
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- Another view from Logan Pass
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- And, here we are standing in the snow
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- Wayne and Judy on the Hidden Lake trail
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- Do you think the marmot was enjoying the view… or the sun?
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- At Logan Pass, a view across a field of flowers
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- While waiting for construction we had a visitor…
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- The scenery is unrivaled.
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- A view on the way up.
Laninga's Travel Blog 