First Snow

This past week, we had our first snow in the Park. It snowed down to 4,000 feet. Headquarters didn't get any thankfully, we're at 3,525 feet, but all the hills surrounding us got covered. The snow was so heavy and strong it closed the Going-to-the-Sun Road from Thursday to Saturday. I just got up to the mountains today, hoping the snow would melt a little and that the temps would warm up.  I hiked the 6 mile round trip trail to Hidden Lake, behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center. It's a classic Glacier hike and the views are lovely! Take a look at the peaks dusted with snow...

Behind Logan Pass Visitor Center, Hidden Lake Trail!

Hiking up to the Overlook.

Tourist Trap...Mountain Goats.

Strike a pose. 

Hidden Lake. Iconic Glacier. 

Heading back down and looking into the St. Mary Valley.

Awesome frozen waterfall.

Luckily it warmed up and was actually hot on my hike. I didn't have to wear a jacket despite the snow on the ground. Temperatures were about in the upper 50s. Perfect for hiking. A cool breeze but clear, blue skies. Days like today make up for my archives work.

More 'it's no longer summer' things I've noticed include: The speed limit right outside the park changed from 45 to 60 this week. WOOOOOO we can go faster!  Leaves are changing, but no Larch yet. Larch is the deciduous pine tree that drops it's needles for winter. I am so excited to see this guy. There are quite a few around my cabin even so I'll know for sure once they start changing. West Glacier's restaurant closes this week along with the grocery store and gas station. Talk about ghost town coming on. It's amazing how this little community only thrives for three months solid out of the year.

Last weekend, Katie, a library colleague visited me from Denver! So glad she got to come and brought nice weather. The cold storm came through the Tuesday after she left. We enjoyed a huge hike on Saturday along the Highline Trail. The trail starts at Logan Pass and goes along the cliffs above the main road. You can stop at one of the backcountry chalets, Granite Park, and enjoy some epic scenery. Then the trail takes you back down to a part on the road known as 'the Loop.' Overall it was an 11.6 mile hike and one that is a must for anyone visiting Glacier.  It's relatively easy, you only gain 330 feet and it's all done at one point in one switchback.   Amazing! Here are some pics of our adventure:

Katie and I at the trailhead. Bright and sunny!

Hiking, tiny trail.

Epic views.

You can see Lake McDonald in the valley.

Granite Park Chalet on the hill. Great resting point. 

Hiking through the burn.

The next day we just drove over to Many Glacier and enjoyed some tea in the lodge before they closed for the season. Next weekend I get to go back to Waterton for one final out of country trip.

Work is the same old, same old. Just finishing up this last record group. It's been kind of hard truthfully. I'm burnt out, but I know I'm so close to being finished, it's frustrating. Just got to keep my head down and keep plugging away. Once my section is done, Karen the other archivist will also be done with her last record group and we can take the weeks of October to create our scope notes and put everything together. Then, the central files will be FINISHED! Ahhhh, I can't wait for that moment.

For now, I have my Canadian weekend to look forward to and continuing to see the Park change colors.