We returned to the park for a leisurely hike around the Trail of the Cedars (we previously covered less than half of the trail getting to the Avalanche Lake Trail before). On the way in, we stopped at one turn out that had quite a nice observation deck overlooking some nice rapids along McDonald Creek.
The Trail of he Cedars reminded us a little bit of the Hoh rain forest in Olympic National Park (one of our favorites). There were a lot of strange lichens and mosses clinging to the trees and spreading over everything on the ground.
We were treated to a beautiful view of Avalanche Gorge. That would be a wild ride in a kayak if it would even be possible.
Heading back, we stopped at yet another turn-out and found it was the trail head for several more jaunts into the woods. The creek banks were composed of metamorphic rock that appeared to just be a lot of thin sheets barely held together. We found huge collections of rocks polished by years of tumbling in the creek piled along the edge of the fast moving water.
I didn't really notice we were on a horse trail, until these guys came up behind us. We deferred to the big guys and got out of their way.
Back at the Visitor's Center, we learned there would be a Ranger led hike along McDonald Creek if we waited for a few hours. It was enough time to get a quick bite of lunch back at the coach and, reluctantly, leave Sam behind. We met the Ranger at the same bridge we had seen earlier in the day.
Sometimes, when there is not a lot of wildlife around, you take what you can get - in this case a wild toad.
Our Ranger, Teagan, was working on her doctorate at a school in Canada. She confessed her great love for Glacier and, as I remember, was working at the park for her fifth summer in a row. It was a small group; one guy from California, a mom and her two kids from Colorado and us.
Teagan led the way along the trail for a little more than a mile to a beaver dam. She paused along the way to point out interesting rocks and plants and a few birds. She had bear spray and I was sure she would have fought off any marauding grizzly's, so I didn't have to feel constantly on guard.
The Beaver dam significantly changed the dynamics of the creek.
By the time we got back, I had lost count of how many miles we had hiked, but it was enough for one day and it felt good to head back to the coach with nothing more strenuous planned than to sort through our pictures.
No comments:
Post a Comment