Yupper this is the year and this was the day for not just our section to Logan Pass, but also our campground. The campground at St Mary’s is very scrunchy! With the RV in the adjacent site already parked we had to go around the 1-Way loop backwards to park in our site.
But the view from the campsite is pretty spectacular!
We took the short walk from the campground to the VC. It’s a well established trail over the footbridge to the VC.
At the VC we inquired about the waterfall hikes: St Mary, Virginia and Baring Falls. We were told to use the trailhead for St Mary's Falls to reach Virginia Falls and Baring Falls has its own trailhead.
Accurate, but BOGUS!
We could have parked the scooter at Sun Point – heck we could have parked the RV there! and all the falls reached from one out-n-back trail. Oh-well …
We rode the scooter up to the St Mary’s Falls trailhead and began our hike from there. Not far along the trail we met this young mule deer acting as the ‘greeter’. I snapped her picture …
and she decided we were worth meeting!
My hiking partner? Fran fled! leaving me and ‘Molly’ the Mule Deer on the trail alone. So much for hiking with a buddy … oh well I have a new buddy! And Molly is sticking to me like velcro!
This is one deer who has received too many hiker treats, eventually she gives up. On to the falls. St Mary’s Falls is beautiful and we have it to ourselves!
WOW! After crossing the footbridge on the way to Virginia Falls my knee goes out again! Virginia Falls is UP, and going up is easier, but even after readjusting the support I volunteer to wait if Fran wants to complete the last mile RT.
We turn back together, my best hiking partner!, and this is as close as we were to Virginia Falls.
Even Molly looked concerned
Baring Falls is just a few 100 yards from the trailhead. I’ve set my hiking pole to be more of a cane than a pole and off we go! A narrow log bridge leads to the base of the falls.
Altho not as spectacular it is a refreshing break.
A couple more views from the road, just to show the east side is spectacular even when overcast
We’ve seen 13 black bears on the trip thus far, but TaDa our first grizzly bear! Check out the rounded ears and the long face. I did not see the defining ‘hump’ in any of the pictures but …
It’s time to leave East Glacier. Hiway US-2 was having extensive work done with long delays as we came in. As we looked at other options to continue our eastward journey we note there is a local option MT-464 out of Babb, MT.
Once in Babb it’s a left turn to Many Glacier, or a right turn to continue east without all the construction delays … to be continued …
Despite the delays in St Mary, we had No Bad Days there!
Up next our route out of Babb …
Sorry to hear knee was giving you trouble. Glad you at least were able to see Virginia Falls. It is a climb at the end. Grizzlies seem to like this side of the park. Glad you spotted one!
ReplyDeleteThe bear count is 13 to 1. Black bears are certainly more often sighted. Glad we finally spotted the grizzly!
DeleteSounds like you are enjoying all the sights, and Molly there to join you. Too bad about the knee, but you were able to keep on going. More safe travels.
ReplyDeleteI blew out the knee a while back,but did not want a replacement then. I knew I might have limp thru Glacier, but that was better than not going!
DeleteIt was sorta weird having Molly as a local guide.
All of the Wildlife is great in an amazing place. Hope your knee holds up. Ice?
ReplyDeleteYou bet lots of ice packs ... the whole RICE thing, but rest is not as much as it should be!
DeleteSorry about your knee, yet what you did see is spectacular. So nice to have a Molly guide.
ReplyDeleteA local guide is always good to have. I think Molly must have been rewarded with way too many hiker treats, she was way to friendly.
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