Glacier National Park--July 2010

Glacier National Park, also called The Crown of the Continent, is truly fitting of such a label, for from the snow-covered peaks, over thundering falls and along a maze of rushing streams, water from the high country flows into the Pacific Ocean, The Gulf of Mexico and Hudson Bay. Words cannot describe the views nor capture the emotions evoked as one stands high above an emerald lake or gazes upward from the base of a hulking tower of rock. The plunging valleys and cliffs have buckled the knees of many and the craggy peaks have rebuffed the attempts of the strong. It is a place of unbelievable significance that spawns thoughts and feelings of complete insignificance in the minds of those who behold it.

In July, I witnessed again the magic of this spectacular corner of America.  This was my 5th time visiting Glacier and it was my best experience thus far. I walked many miles, pondered many things and clicked the camera shutter thousands of times. After 7 full days of experiencing this jewel, I left awed, humbled and praising God for the things He has made.

Long overdue, I have finally managed to wade through the over 3000 images captured in the week's time and am now posting many images here for you to see.  Follow along on a trip I will always remember fondly.  Hopefully, the images here will inspire many to take the trip themselves, for it is an amazing place.

(I really fight the photo layout capabilities of Blogspot, so I am going to just keep it simple and stack them one on top of the other.  That will make for a long thread, so please bear with me.)

The first images here are a number of panoramic scenes of the area around Many Glacier.

Many Glacier is often overlooked by the average "tourist" type.  Most tourists drive the Going to the Sun Road and see the views along that route and then they continue on their ways.  Those who slow down and look for opportunities to do day hikes or really explore the park cannot miss this area.  The hiking is incredible and the views second to none.  The following images are more from that area.

 

 

 

 

The famed hike to Iceberg Lake is stunningly beautiful.  The trail rises gently for much of the way, ending beneath an incredible cirque of sheer rock.  My 10mm lens could not capture it all and unfortunately pushed it away so much that the sheer magnitude of the wall is lost.  Imagine looking straight up at a solid wall of rock and having that same view for a full 220 degrees.  Somehow, even though I did not photograph them due to distance, mountain goats could be seen traipsing about on the cliff faces above the lake.  All I could say was WOW!

This next series of images are simply unbelievable.  If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes and hadn't captured it through the lens, I would think I had dreamt it.  I have never seen photographs of something like this ever before and truly believe it is a once in a lifetime experience for me.  I only wish I had been closer, because as you'll see, even with 800mm of magnification the images are in no way publishable quality despite the amazing occurrence.

The event:  Leaving Swiftcurrent Lake, I immediately spotted a bear down by an inlet to Sherburne lake.  I pulled over and got out my Sigmonster lens, my Sigma 300-800mm (my wife affectionately calls her Bertha:)).  For the next 10 minutes I watched and photographed as this sow with three cubs headed for the water's edge, swam out 30 yards, turned around and called to the cubs, two of which swam out and then climbed up on her.  The third cub (obviously the runt) did not join them.  The sow swam around for a bit with her two hitchhikers before turning again towards shore and calling to the third cub.  It finally swam out to her and tried to climb aboard.  As it tried to climb aboard, it slipped off the back as the sow turned to her right.  The smallest cub disappeared.  I actually stopped shooting images as I watched the drama, forgetting the importance of capturing the sight.  The cub did not reappear.  10 seconds passed, then 15, then maybe even 20 and I began thinking it may be drowning when suddenly, like a little child thrown into the deep end of the pool, its little muzzle broke the surface gasping for air.  Its eyes were closed and it was obviously terrified.  It lunged for mom and clasped a bear hug (bad pun, I know:)) on one of the other cubs.  I think what happened is that as the sow turned, she actually went right over the top of the little cub just after it fell off the back.  I'm guessing the little guy was being inadvertently held down by the mother's bulk and couldn't get back to the surface.  Once the third cub joined the other two, I think the sow began to get tired with her load of three little hitchhikers and she began to fight to stay above the surface.  She headed back to the bank and emerged looking wet and fatigued.  Here are a few images from the entire sequence including a happily-ever-after shot at the end!

 This next bear really wanted to cross the road, but the large "Bear Jam" of vehicles had him nervous.  We encountered him outside the park, so even though 2 rangers drove by, they did not stop to monitor or disperse traffic.  Eventually, a woman stepped out of her car and actually began approaching the bear.  She got within 10-15 feet of him before he bolted across the road and into heavy timber.  The woman was foolish and was fortunate to have escaped any consequences for her behavior.  This sequence of images show the bear watching traffic and waiting nervously for the right moment to cross the road.

Another must visit location in the park is on the west side by Lake MacDonald.  The Trail through the Cedars meanders through old growth cedar and cottonwood trees along Avalanche Creek.  A short walk took me to the edge of Avalanche Gorge, where the creek has carved out a beautiful crevasse through the reddish rock.  

  

Saint Mary's Lake and the Going to the Sun road  are two highlights of the 19 mile drive from Saint Mary's to the Logan Pass visitor Center.  A must for every photographer is an image of Wild Goose Island.   Early morning found me greeting the warm colors of alpenglow on the peaks above the lake.

This next image, while very similar to the one above, is actually a three row panoramic.  I shot 3 rows of images and stitched them together.  The resolution is amazing on the original file.  I can count needles on the pines trees. 

Wildlife abounds throughout the park.  Grizzlies, black bears, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, moose and a host of others make this wilderness their homes.  None are so impressive as mountain goats in their natural habitat.  Afraid of heights?  You won't like these next images, that while not great photos, show the amazing terrain goats make their home.

Dizzy Yet?  Alright then, on to a couple moose photos and some other misc. animal shots.

 And finally, I'll wrap up this post with some final miscellaneous images from the park. 

I truly hope these images have blessed you, brightened your day, brought a smile to your face in the same way they affected me while I was there first hand witnessing the grandeur and majesty of creation.  I hope that if you have never been to Glacier that these images will create a desire to visit.  If you go, slow down, take your time, get off the main roads.  Take a day hike along a quiet meadow, a murmuring stream, or a placid lake reflecting an orange peak.  Stop and listen to the sounds of nature, for they bear witness of and carry the voice of God.