Goat Haunt Landing

Leaving in the morning, a cloudy morning, from Waterton, Canada we were on Waterton Lake for about an hour, heading south, crossing into the US while on the water and getting out at Goat Haunt Landing for a hike through the forests to Kootenai Lake. What a day!

Waterton, Canada

The Rocky Mountains rise suddenly out of the rolling praire in the Waterton, Canada area. Waterton truly is a quiet, uncrowded National Park with astounding beauty everywhere.

Lake McDonald

On the west side of Glacier National Park sits the largest lake in the park - Lake McDonald. The Going To The Sun road parallels the lake for all of the lakes 10 mile length. No matter the season, this is a gorgeous place on its own.

Waterton Lake from the Prince of Wales Hotel

Standing near the Prince of Wales Hotel on a hillside that overlooks the city of Waterton and Waterton Lake, the view is awesome. It was a hazy late afternoon fed by wildfires but even so, the grandeur was inspiring. The majestic Rockies enfolded this area with such beauty.

Early Morning at St Marys Lake

We reached the shores of St Mary's Lake a few hours after sunrise. The hazy look is due to wildfires burning in Washington state but they don't diminish the awesomeness felt when standing on the shores looking at this. Life is good!

Sunset near Waterton, Canada

As we headed out of Waterton, Canada after a day of hiking, and making our way back to our campsite, nature seemed to be smiling at us as she gave us a beautiful parting sunset.

Swiftcurrent Stream

Our first day of hiking found us crossing Swiftcurrent Stream that lay in between Lake Josephine on the upper side and Swiftcurrent Lake on the lower side. The morning sun added to the magic of this location.

Grinnell Lake on the Hike to Salamander Glacier

Hiking above Lake Josephine we got our first good look at Grinnell Lake, a magical turquoise color due to glacial movement creating a fine sediment from grinding rocks that stays suspended in the water giving it that unique color. To the right you can see Salamander Glacier.

Panorama of St Marys Lake

A composite of 8 photos to give a panoramic view of early morning in Glacier National Park at St Mary's Lake.

Swiftcurrent Lake Panorama

This is a panoramic view standing outside the Swiftcurrent Lodge just before starting the hike to Grinnell Glacier. We headed left along the shore and deep into the valley to the far left for a day of beauty and blisters.

Lake Josephine from Above

The is the far end of Lake Josephine. We hiked around the end of the lake, crossed the bridge and decided to head up toward the Grinnell and Salamander Glaciers. This is along that trail looking down at the turquoise colors of Lake Josephine.

Grinnell Lake

Not just a view of turquoise Grinnell Lake, the Rocky Mountains, the Salamander Glacier (upper right) but a look at the trail (far right in the middle). I had to be sure to stop walking to take photos or I would go right off the edge of the trail.

Beargrass on the Trail

There was Beargrass all along this section of the trail. Not only unique because it grows at high altitudes but the plants produce a flower once every 5-7 years. We were truly blessed on this hike!

Grinnel Glacier Panorama

A composite of many photos to show a panorama of Grinnell Glacier with the Salamander Glacier above it. The Going To The Sun Road is on the other side of those mountains.

Moose

Late afternoon Moose feeding as we were coming back along Swiftcurrent Lake. A perfect ending an amazing day.

Resting Ram

Not far below the Upper Grinnell Lake and Grinnell Glacier we spotted several bighorn sheep/rams. This one found a comfortable rock and just sat and watched us - like we were watching it!

Unique Vegetation on the Going To The Sun Road

My hiking partner, Ali fondly calls these Dr Suess flowers. They are actually the Pasque Flower seed and these were found as we hiked around Logan Pass (6,646 ft) on the Going To The Sun road.

View from Going To The Sun Road

Over Logan Pass and heading down the Going To The Sun road we could look down into the valley we were heading. This was our path to Lake McDonald. The haze is due to wildfires that were still burning in Washington state.

Tourquoise Stream

On the west side of Glacier National Park between Logan Pass and Lake McDonald we stopped by a stream fed by glacier melt. I found the turquoise colors fascinating.

Glacier Melt

The turqouise color and crystal clear waters of the stream flowing toward Lake McDonald were mesmerizing to watch.

Entering Glacier National Park

A panoramic view of the east entrance/exit to Glacier National Park. This would have been a much better photo if it weren't for the forest fires burning in Washington state that put a haze over everything.

Panorama of Waterton, Canada

Driving down toward the Waterton, Canada area, it is obvious to see how the Rocky Mountains just burst onto the scene here. The abrupt change is striking.

Panorama of Waterton Lake and the Prince of Wales Hotel

A composite of 15 photos to give a panorama of Waterton Lake and the Prince of Wales Hotel. The US is at the far end of the lake. What an incredible place to visit and explore. Thanks to my good friend Ali for bringing me here. We will be back.

Morning on Waterton Lake

We are on the boat heading down the entire length of Waterton Lake as the morning clouds slowly start to rise. It was an indication of the mystical day we had ahead of us.