A stunning hike in a stunning park.
Backpackers: Ed Tucker, Carl Fisher, Lori Fisher and John Gundry
September 01, 2001 (No miles) – We flew from Green Bay to Mizzoula MT and spent the night in a motel.
September 02, 2001 (8 miles) – Drove from Mizzoula MT to Glacier National Park and got our back country permit. Since we are way ahead of our schedule we decided to do a day hike. We parked the car near the hairpin turn on the “Going to the Sun” road. The hike was 4 miles – one way – with 2200 feet elevation gain. Not too painful and it took us just over 2 hours. The Granite Park Chalet was very rustic with some great views – some obscured by smoke from the Moose wildfire. On the way down we passed a couple. The lady was in the lead and the man behind her was BLIND! She was holding a wooden pole by one end and he held the other. She alerted him to rocks and steps. At our next break they passed us. The pace was very fast for someone blind. Lori was in the lead and set a blistering pace because she wanted to get to a phone to make her appointed call to Megan. We didn’t make it but was still able to get ahold of Megan. Supper was excellent at Lake McDonald Lodge. Due to early rising, short night, no nap, lots of exertion, great meal, and a glass of wine – we went to bed at 8:30 PM. Stayed in the Sprague campground. Temperatures during the day were in the 70’s.
September 02, 2001 (7.5 miles) – Got up early (before light) so we could be packed up and ready to catch the shuttle at 8:05 AM at Lake McDonald Lodge. The shuttle took us to Jackson Glacier Overlook where we began the day. Started out at 9:30 AM – mainly flat in a forested area. Went through lots of patches of Thimble Berry plants (at least that’s what John called them). The berry looked like a thimble, were bright red, and had a tart taste. Also saw Indian Paint Brush, Daiseys, Columbine (I think), Fireweed, and some white flowers. Took a side hike (.75 miles) to Florence Falls where we had lunch. The falls were 30 feet tall and were cascading. The afternoon was all uphill (500 feet) and not too challenging. Camped at Gunsight Lake. Small site but protected from the tremendous winds that were coming through the pass, right down the valley. The wind was coming so hard along the lake that 20 foot water spouts were created on the lake. John’s water filter had problems so we are now using our iodine tablets. The taste of the water is not as bad as I thought it would be. I could even see not bringing a filter next time to save weight. Supper was interesting – we were all required to do the food prep in the same area so we got to see what everyone else was eating. One couple had corn on the cob, mushrooms, fresh cheese, and tortillas – made me salivate. Others had cook stoves, still in the box, heavy kitchen pots and freeze dried meals. The high winds also kicked up a bunch of dust and added grit to all meals. Drove John nuts. Food was hung away from camp so we had no problems with bears.
September 03, 2001 (5 miles) – Green Rocks – Chlorite, lower than read rocks formed with less oxygen-iron combined with silicates form the green color. Red Rocks – Hematite – hematine is a mineral which forms the rock. Formed in shallow water by the interaction of iron and “free oxygen”. Tan Rocks – Dolomite or Limestone.
Woke up to a beautiful blue sky with temperatures in the 50’s – much warmer than we had expected. The wind was calm and Gunsight Lakewas beautiful. After a hot breakfast of oatmeal in the community food prep area with all the other campers we started our assent to Gunsight Pass (elevation 6946). It took us 2.5 hours to walk the 3 miles with 1600 feet of elevation gain. The weather at the Pass was perfect – light wind, sunny, and warm. We took lots of pictures of Gunsight Lake and of Lake Ellen Wilson (named after the first wife of President Wilson) which is our destination for the night. Our plan was to stay for 1.5 hours and have lunch but ended up staying for 2.5 hours. Met a group of hikers being guided by an outfitting company. We took their picture with our digital camera and will send to the leader via e-mail. Saw a goat way up on the mountain to the east so John and I scrambled to get a picture. Got as close as we dared and took what will probably be some really poor pictures. Little did we know that we would run into goats later. The descent into the Lake Ellen Wilson campground was uneventful and we set up camp well before 4:00 PM. John, Ed and I went swimming in the frigid waters of the lake which is fed by melting snow from the glaciers. Didn’t stay in very long but it was very refreshing! Most memorable feature of this campsite was the pit toilet. Boy did it have a view – it really was a throne! Basically a toilet with no walls or door. You could take in a 360 degree view of the lake and the mountain side all while answering the call of nature.
September 04, 2001 (9 miles) – Woke up to 50 degree temperatures and light rain. Had a cold breakfast in the food prep area with 3 hikers from PA. They were also camped at Gunsight Pass and would follow us to Sperry. They were a colorful trio and a little crazy. The food prep area was under a huge rock overhang that was deposited by a glacier. The hike ascended about 1300 feet on a gently uphill sloping trail that reached its highest point at Lincoln Pass. We arrived at the Sperry Campground around 10:30 AM and decided to head for Sperry Glacier after setting up camp. Sperry Glacier was 3+ miles away with 1600 feet in elevation gain. Stopped first at the Sperry Chalet to reserve 4 hot meals for the evening. Lori and I also purchased a candy bar. We started off in a light rain with temperatures in the 50’s but the higher we walked the worse the weather. At one point, we came head to head with a mountain goat coming down the trail as we headed up. We scrambled up hill, off the trail so he could pass. As luck would have it I ran out of film just as he got right in front of us! Lori got a great shot with the digital camera which held up well on the trip. Light rain turned to heavy rain, turned to ran mixed with sleet, and all accompanied by high winds. We made it to Comean Pass (elevation 7970) in one hour and 45 minutes. The pass was a huge 60 foot stone stairway that had been blasted into the rock which required a rope handrail to climb. Sperry Glacier was on the other side and because we were so wet, cold, and miserable we decided not to walk the additional mile to the Sperry Glacier overlook. Down only took us one hour 10 minutes (led by Lori) where we were greeted by a warm fire in the Sperry Lodge. We spent the next 3 hours drying out and warming up. Our new tent (REI HALF DOME???) leaked slightly with no major harm. To insure that the end of my sleeping bag would not get wet if further leakage occurred I put a black plastic bag over the end when I went to sleep. What a mistake! In the morning all of the perspiration from my feet was on the bag and it was soaked!
September 05, 2001 (7 miles) – Woke up to a nice sunny morning even if there was frost on everything. Took our time getting ready to go and started out at 9:30 AM. All downhill – 3300 feet. Easy, leisurely pace and we arrived at Lake McDonald at about 11:30 AM. Drove back through the Going to the Sun road and decided to camp at Two Medicine campground in the southeast part of the park. When we went to bed there were dark ominous clouds moving in.
September 06, 2001 (0 miles) – At about 2:30 AM it started to rain – sounded like sleet. We were all cozy in our tents. When we awoke at about 6:30 AM it become evident that we had pitched out tents in the two lowest spots on our campsite. We were surrounded by water and the floor of the tent resembled a water bed – it rippled when pressed with our finger. Fortunately, the floor and side of the tent remained water tight. Even more stunning was the snow on the mountains! A fitting end to an excellent trip with sunny highs in the 70’s and snowy lows in the 20’s.