GNP - Day 4

Take a look at this sign, guess which route we were doing?  The longest one = Day #4: 10.2 miles, 2718 feet up in elevation, 1815 feet down. There was no sign about the bears so it was a go. This day was the "test" for me. Got an early start to beat the heat, especially because we learned there wasn't access to water until you were above tree line.

Going up, up, up & treated to beautiful views. Great way to start the day! 

 Stopping because I needed to get some air in my lungs, but it's good to pause and admire your surroundings.

 Made it to the 2 mile mark, only 8.2 more to the campground.

 This was one of several ice fields we had to cross. Todd did it, no problem. I on the other hand was more careful and cautious.  Todd went across, dumped his pack, then came back to get my pack for me.

 On the train ride we read about a man from Seattle who slipped on an ice patch and died. He was on a trail that was closed so he shouldn't have even been there in the first place, but still, this is what was going through my mind when I was crossing. So I looked for a pointed rock that I could stick into the ice for some stability. This would have been a good time to have hiking poles.

It was only 9 am but we took a rest on a rock overlooking this green field. I kept thinking, this is the time you want to see a bear, way on the other side of the field, but no such luck. It sure was windy, Todd got his hat and sunglasses blown off his head; I got cold and had to put on another shirt. 

Happy, happy after eating a big snack and re-hydrating.

GNP - Day 3.1

 A patch of beautiful flowers.

Dawn Mist Falls 

 The falls were pretty loud and the mist felt so good on a hot, sunny day.

 Looking south at Elizabeth Lake

 Elizabeth Lake campsite had a lot of little residents.  Here's one right by the sign marking a campsite. This campsite also had flying red squirrels, so instead of hanging your food, you stored it in a metal food locker.

 Beautiful, tiny flowers growing amongst the rocks.

 Bear poop!  After arriving at this campsite, Todd saw and began talking to a volunteer ranger who had gone up to Red Gap Pass because people at the campsite on the other side of the pass reported bears very near to the camp.  A while later, 2 hikers who stayed at that campsite recounted their sleepless night due to the bears. Some of us at Elizabeth Lake were going to make the trek over the pass the next day but began wondering if it was good idea.  The volunteer ranger said they sent other rangers up to investigate and if its not safe, we'd see a sign posted the next morning to let us know.

After dinner we sat along the shore of the lake; I had fun sifting through the colorful rocks and finding different shapes. These rocks were smooth and thin, probably good for skipping on the surface of the water, but I didn't try it.

GNP - Day 3

Day 3 = 8.7 miles, 290 feet up in elevation and 298 down.

Had to walk the same trail as the day before so again went through the "forest from hell." Got an early start so there was a lot of dew on the plants that hung over the trail. By the time we got out of the forest my pants were completely soaked (down to my undies) and my shoes had filled with water. Nothing like a boot filled with water, each step you took was one big squeeshy feeling.

 Back at Cosley Lake, pants are nearly dry at this point.

 Same, beautiful view as the day before.

Just when my pants were nearly dry, it was time to ford the river.  But it's okay, the bottom of my pants and my shoes were caked in mud so they got cleaned off.

It was very beautiful and peaceful so we spent nearly 3 hours hanging out at the rivers edge. Sunshine and a nice breeze, dried our pants, socks and shoes. It felt so god soaking up the rays of the sun. Even saw a snake slithering in the water. Nature is my therapy.

GNP - Day 2.2

 Here we are at the Gros Ventre Falls (Belly River Falls in English)

 The water was very cold

 The power and wonder of mother nature

 Beautiful view of Cosley Lake

 Picture perfect, just like in those nature calendars.

Someone took this nice photo.  

Crossing another stream where we had a late lunch and I napped at the end of the bridge after going through the "forest from hell" as I called it. It was hot, humid and I was tuckered out.  All I kept thinking was, "we have to be close to camp." We were very close, until someone didn't look at the sign carefully, consult the map, nor listen to the please of a tired soul that said, "I don't think this is right." Over a mile later, we arrived at the wrong campsite.  However, it was a gorgeous location with spectacular views, we met a nice couple from New York, took a dip in the extremely cold mountain lake, and felt refreshed; next time we'll stay at this campsite. So we picked up our stuff and walked another mile plus to the correct campsite. What was supposed to be 7.2 miles turned out to be about 9.5 miles - but I did it! Yeah me!

GNP - Day 2.1

Cool bridge to cross.... there he goes. 

Fun on the bridge. 

 It was wobbly so you had to hang on with both hands.

 Indian Paint Brush

Pretty colors 

One of my favorites, Bear Grass.  The bottom looks like grass, but a tall stalk emerges with a big head of flowers. Bears don't eat it as the name suggests.

GNP - Day 2

It's always good to see this kind of sign, it's sort of like your "welcome home" greeting.  We met a cool couple from Banff, Canada at this campsite.

 The view from our tent.......aaaaaaaah!

 Sitting down, having breakfast, the sun began to come through the trees, and make this spider web shimmer in the rays of the sun.

....... and we're off; 7.2 miles to the next campsite; elevation change 200 feet up. Should be a piece of cake, right?

GNP is heaven on earth with breathtaking views all around. 

GNP - Day 1 Continued

 We were fortunate that many of the wild flowers seemed to be at their peak. Here's a Mariposa Lily.

 Not sure what this is, but liked it too; reminded me a little bit of ti leaves.

 Another cool plant.

 Todd next to a patch of cow parsnip. The bears eat it too and had trampled them.

Did I mention it was hot? Yes, it was very hot and much more humid than we expected. Got to stay hydrated.

 Beautiful Columbine.

Hoping we're close to camp. I see water in the background, that's a good sign. See my right hand? I felt like I was packin' but my holster contained bear spray, not a gun.

GNP - Day 1

 We used the shuttle service to take us to the trailhead where we'd start the hike. We had the greatest driver, "Cajun Jim" from Louisiana. What a smart, funny and full of life person he is. And.... he's got a great life story.

 The shuttle ride north was already treating us to spectacular views.

 Here we are about several hundred feet away from the US-Canada border. We started the hike at the Chief Mtn. trailhead.

My cute mountain man, ready to go!

Glacier National Park Adventure

After a busy month of advising at orientation for new students we were off on another adventure.....

Destination = Glacier National Park

Objective = backcountry hiking and camping

Gear = our house (a.k.a. tent), sleeping pads and bags, fuel to cook, lots of food, first aid kit, water pump, toilet paper, and the all important bear spray.

Goal = fit it all into the green and blue backpacks you see towards the top left of the picture and be able to carry it on our backs for 40+ miles of hiking. Now that's a vacation!

Mode of transportation = Amtrak train, the Empire Builder route. We boarded at the Minneapolis/St. Paul station close to midnight.

Woke up the next morning somewhere in North Dakota.  I think we were in the second to the last car of a long train.

 Here I am in our "roomette." Our 4 X 6 foot sleeper cubicle.

June = Orientation

It's June and that means Orientation for new students. A crazy, hectic, not enough sleep month, but it's so much fun.  The reason its a good time is because I get to work with awesome UWEC Students.  This year, my Orientation Assistant (OA) is Meng. I was fortunate to work with him as his advisor when he was a new student.

 

Yesterday was crazy pants day - now a tradition with the OAs. Here are some of them in their wild pants.