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- Waterfall
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- Mountain flora
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- Lake McDonald, on the Road to the Sun
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- Enroute to Hidden Lake
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- Flathead River
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- Hidden Lake
Glacier Park in northwestern Montana hosts one of the most beautiful scenes I’ve ever come across in my travels. It’s not easy to get to,…in fact, I wouldn’t recommend that anyone attempt to reach it unless they’re in excellent physical condition,… but once you’ve arrived at this destination within the park, Hidden Lake, I guarantee you’ll not be disappointed. Buried deep within the park this majestic place is a sight to behold. And not only will your sight register the effect, but every sense of your being will spring to life. It’s one of those experiences that words and phrases just cannot do justice to.
Of course, there are many more beautiful sights within the park but this is the image of the park that I cherish most. The hike will take most of the day so plan accordingly, or in other words, begin early in the day. And don’t worry that on the onset you’ll be surrounded by hoards of other tourists attempting to make the same journey. Most will turn back long before they reach the destination.
We, my friends and I, were alone (with the all the glory and serenity of the natural world at our fingertips) at the lake when we arrived,…well, alone that is, aside from the mountain goats that grazed on the hillside beside us.
Another aspect of the hike that has stayed with me is the change in climate as you progress up, down, and into the mountain valley. We did the hike in early July, when summer was at its peak, but as we climbed we entered, as there is no better way to describe it, spring. Snow and early blooming bulbs slowly replaced the green grass of summer in this landscape. By the time we arrived at our destination there were little signs of summer left. The lake itself was partially covered with ice. You needn’t worry about the temps, however, because the summer sun still warms the air. Imagine. Have you ever had a snowball fight with a friend while dressed in shorts and a tank top? It is really delightful. Warning: Carry sunglasses on this hike. The snow crystals combine with the rays from the summer sun to form a glare that will nearly blind you as you hike into the lake.
To fully appreciate the beauty of this park I would also urge everyone to partake in one of the local rafting excursions. We were fortunate to have a friend in Kalispell who is an avid whitewater rafting enthusiast and he generously hosted our day on the river, but there are many outfitters who will do the same for you by customizing a trip to fit your needs. And yes, there are routes that children can safely participate in.
