The Hidden Lake Trail
Glacier National Park, Montana
Sunday, August 28th, 2011
Wildflowers along the Hidden Lake Trail
The Hidden Lake Trail starts out from the Logan Pass Visitors Center. It is about 3.0 miles long (one way) to the shores of Hidden Lake. However, there were signs at the trail head saying the trail was closed past the Hidden Lake Overlook due to recent Bear activity along the shores of the lake. This would still make for a nice 3.0 mile round trip out and back hike.
Hidden Lake Trail Hike Route
(highlighted in Yellow)
The first thing we notice was an abundance of wildflowers alongside the trail. I knew there would be flowers blooming this time of year, but I was not expecting this magnitude of wildflower blooms that we would see on this trip.
Fields of Wildflowers along the Hidden Lake Trail
The trail gradually gains about 500-feet of elevation over the first 1.5 miles. While most of the trail was clear of snow, even in late August there were still a few snow covered spots remaining along the trail.
The Hidden Lake Trail crossing a patch of snow
Amy took advantage of the snow to whack me on the back of the head with a snowball!
Amy making an August Snowball
Despite the snow on the ground it was turning into a rather warm day even in these high elevations. It didn't take long before the jackets came off and the pant legs were unzipped!
Unzipping my pant legs
I was a little bummed because my zoom lens was acting up. As a result I went with the wide-angle lens for this hike. There were mountain goats all around the area and that zoom lens would have been much better for capturing the wildlife.
Towards the center of this next shot, you can see a mountain goat roaming around the mountainside (you might have to click to enlarge). This is as close as I could get with the wide angle lens.
Can you spot the Mountain Goat?
As the hike leveled out a bit,we passed by a small cluster of trees and brush. Hanging out in the shade of the trees just about 10-feet from the trail was a Mountain Goat. Even my wide-angle lens could capture this guy!
Mountain Goat hanging out along side the trail
The view of Hidden Lake was nice, but I would have really liked to continue on all the way. However, we respected the posted trail closure and returned back the way we came.
View of Hidden Lake
(the trail was closed due to Bear Activity beyond this point)
Here are a few more photos from our hike on the Hidden Lake Trail:
The trail passes along side several small and shallow ponds
Fields of Wildflowers
Hiking back down to the parking area
This last shot is fairly unimpressive and almost ended up straight in the deleted files. However, I spotted something that I didn't see when I took the photo. I believe it's a ground hog. Can you spot him?
Can you spot the Ground Hog?
The complete set of photos from Day 2 of our trip (including additional photos from this hike):
3 comments:
Jack,
I believe the critter in the last photo is a Columbia Ground Squirrel or a Marmot (it's hard to tell which). I don't think they have Groundhogs in Glacier, though Marmots and Groundhogs are related.
Andy
Probably a marmot. Cute as heck!
Sorry about the trail closure, but you have to respect the bears! Two humans killed by griz in Yellowstone this year!
I'm amazed at those wildflowers! And that one long range photo of Hidden Lake practically drags me to Glacier! Have to go! It was your trip report of Yellowstone (combined with my publishing contract) that forced me to go to Yellowstone.
Sorry you had trouble with the lens! That sucks!
Boy .. I have to ditto what Bob said!! That Hidden Lake photo all but has me checking out flights.
Such a gorgeous area.
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