August 19: Glacier National Park, East

August 19

We stayed in Saint Mary's last night and it was suggested that we head back to Babb and check out the Many Glacier area, the northeast section of the Glacier National Park.

We join a volunteer guide giving an interpretive walk along the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail.

SnowberryPearly Everlasting

Corn LilyBaneberry:  white & red berries

AsterFireweed, magenta flowers, then red pods that burst and have fluffy seeds that float up to 50'in the air

We learn that aspens grow in groves; each tree is connected by the roots to the others.  I believe it is in Utah that they have determined a grove is 80,000 years old despite two forest fires over the area.  Beavers love aspen trees; here is one cut down in the last two days.

 After felling the tree, they cut off the branches and drag them to their storage area.

Notice the stripped off bark; larger mammals eat bark too

We continue around the Swiftcurrent Lake to Josephine Lake.

 At the end of the Swiftcurrent Lake is the Many Glacier Lodge.

As we head back to our car, we hear this rustling and look up to see this beautiful black bear lumbering by us, then stopping to eat some berries.  The picture is isn't great but we did NOT get any closer to him; we basically froze and got the best shots we could.

We then get on the road known as "Going to the Sun" which is now open.  Several weeks ago there was a fire, caused by a backcountry camper who did not completely put out his campfire.  We cannot stop at any viewing centers but this is what we saw.

We go over Logan's Pass, the highest pass over the Continental Divide in Glacier.  We drive on a road with sheer cliffs on both sides.

There is a waterfall right above us.

Notice the smoke in the air; you should see more mountains in the distance.

Dinner is at local Chinese restaurant serving Pig's Ass Porter by Harvest Moon Brewery in Belt, Mt.