Glacial melt forms Lake Grinnell in Glacier National Park
Lake Grinnell is about a 3 mile hike from Many Glaciers Hotel on the east side of Glacier National Park. Some people make a shorter hike out of it by riding the classic wooden boats across Swiftcurrent Lake, transferring to another boat on Lake Josephine, and then hiking about a mile to Lake Grinnell. The trail parallels all three lakes, and we wanted to scout a better kayak portage around a hiker's bridge at the connecting stream's entrance to Swiftcurrent Lake, so we hiked.
What a difference a season makes. Last year, at almost the same time, the valleys were filled with smoke from the countless forest fires in the northwest, the streams were low from the drought, and hardly a flower was in bloom. The big snows of last winter changed everything, and we counted several dozen species of wildflowers on the hike. We did see one bear that we are pretty sure was the same individual: a distinctively blond cub last year on the southern slopes above the Many Glaciers Hotel has grown into a massive blond yearling almost as big has the sow it was foraging with.
Glacier NP photography has some interesting complications, like the bear factor, road construction, and wind. The classic wide-angle shot of everything in focus from flowers a foot away to the ridgeline will require a lot more time in the park. I am not complaining, just saying. Even though I'm close to finishing my project, I'm looking forward to a lot more time in the field at the northernmost end of U.S. 89.
Comments (2)
Wow.... Makes me really, really miss GNP. Beautiful shot.
Posted by BWJones | August 4, 2008 11:55 AM
Posted on August 4, 2008 11:55
Been a long time since I have been to Glacier NP. Met my wife on a geology trip that passed through GNP and continued into Banff Canada. I remember those lakes and the pass. All the waterfalls. Thanks for taking me back...
Posted by Nathan | August 8, 2008 9:50 PM
Posted on August 8, 2008 21:50