Piegan Pass

For our first hike in Glacier, we were planning to take the Highline Trail over Swiftcurrent Pass, ending up at Many Glacier; however, bear activity closed this trail down, so we opted instead for the Piegan Pass trail, which basically followed the same trajectory a few miles to the east. It was a fortuitous decision. The trail was spectacular, and essentially untravelled. We met four other hikers coming up from Many Glacier, but other than that, spent the day alone. Well, alone if you don't count the wildlife. We ascended through scented pine for an hour or two, emerged in a field of wildflowers, and then continued our ascent over a nicely graded contour of the mountain. Once we hit the pass, we could see glacial lakes far in the distance, which we slowly wound toward. After passing a couple of splendid waterfalls, we entered forest again, passing by Grinnell Lake and...well, you'll see.

The trail stretches out toward Piegan Pass, to the left of this jagged monolith.

Curious marmots heralded our ascent.

Mom, shortly after leaving the pine forest.

The glaciers are indeed melting, but patches of snow still add some excitement.

From the pass, you could see far down to a couple of glacial lakes, which we would eventually walk by. On the other side of this wall is the Highline trail, which we had to avoid today, but would take the next day.

A little bit of Utah in Montana.

We were headed next for the waterfall below, behind me in the next picture.

The lower elevations yielded lusher vegetation.

This "Hidden Falls" was off a short side trail.

Grinnell Lake draws from Grinnell Glacier, far above. I would see it the next day from a spur of the Highline Trail.

This bear led us for about ten minutes toward Many Glacier. It didn't seem too scared though, pausing to eat several times right in front of us. It finally scurried off and let us pass.

Swiftcurrent Lake is visible from the lodge at Many Glacier, and is quite popular with kayakers, below.