Our Life in Alaska and Beyond

We would have loved to stay in Many Glacier, but there wasn't anything available, so we drove all the way back on GTSR to where we did have a reservation at Fish Creek Campground. It's fun being able to drive both directions on GTSR because the views are different depending on which direction you're going. We made a few stops at some viewpoints, but it was already so late in the day and we had a long drive, so we didn't spend much time anywhere. Noelle got a little car sick and just before getting to our campsite she threw up. Luckily Scott pulled over in time, haha. Once we got to our campsite she was fine, and then she was fine the rest of the trip, too. 😊 

It was dark by the time we got back to our campsite. (I think it was around 10 pm.) We ate a few quick dehydrated meals for dinner, made a fire (to use up the rest of our wood, and just to enjoy our last night there), and then went to bed. We were all exhausted! I think we hiked a total of 6 miles, drove GTSR both directions, and went all the way to Many Glacier!  The girls really were the best for having such a long day! 

The next morning we started our drive back home. We stopped at the Apgar Visitor Center before we left so the girls could get their Jr. Ranger badges. Our time in Glacier National Park went way too fast, and we for sure want to go back and visit again! 

Viewpoint on GTSR of St. Mary Lake

After hiking Hidden Lake in the morning we continued on GTSR and made a quick stop to do another hike near St. Mary, Baring Falls. This hike was less than a mile RT, but right in the heat of the day and most of the trail had recently been in a wildfire so it wasn't super pretty (and no shade cover). This hike wasn't our favorite, but the waterfall was pretty! After hiking,we kept driving GTSR and stopped at a viewpoint for St. Mary Lake. The reflections were unbelievable! So pretty and so amazing! Enjoy! 👐

This day in Glacier National Park was by far our busiest day. We started out by hiking to Hidden Lake in Logan Pass on Going to the Sun Road (GTSR). GTSR is so beautiful and actually a bit scary too, with really steep drop offs. (Thanks to Scott for driving!) On GTSR you can see all that Glacier NP has to offer with so many glacial carved valleys, steep cliffs, wildflower meadows, turquoise blue water, and amazing wildlife. The Logan Pass parking lot fills up super fast so we actually left our campsite before 6 am. We were worried we still wouldn't get a spot, but we did! However, by the time we had used the restroom and were ready to start hiking, all the spots were gone. 

The Hidden Lake trail is so beautiful, and we saw so much wildlife! Especially so many mountain goats! The views are just gorgeous every direction you look! The trail was only open to the overlook due to bear activity closer to the lake, but that's about as far as we wanted to go with the girls anyway (almost 3 miles RT). Again, these pics don't do it justice, but enjoy! 

View from the overlook 😍

After spending the morning hiking, we spent the afternoon at Lake McDonald. We rented a stand up paddle board (my first time), and it was so fun! Lake McDonald is the biggest and deepest lake in Glacier. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of taking my phone out with me, and in the middle of the lake, while paddling, it slipped out from between my shirt and lifejacket. I had Robyn with me and I probably would have tried to jump in and catch it as it was sinking fast, but I didn't want to knock her into the water in the process. I lost some pictures and lot of videos, but it could have been worse. I learned my lesson and won't take my phone out like that again, haha. 

We rented this paddle board from Lake McDonald lodge. There are several really cool old lodges in Glacier, and I'd love to stay in one someday!

We got up early the next morning (you have to leave early to get a parking spot at the most popular hiking trails!) and hiked Avalanche Lake. It was so beautiful! It was a bit longer for the girls (about 5 miles round trip), but they did so good! The lake is just stunning! Enjoy these pics, although I feel like they don't nearly do justice for how pretty it really is!