Crusin’ Kootenai N.P.
On to Kootenai National Park. The drive from Waterton took us up through the green ranch and farm lands of the Rocky Mountains front range, turning west took live the long Crow Nest pass approach, onto Sparwood on the west side, home the the worlds larger truck (could haul hundreds of tons of coal and tailings). We parallel the GDR though then mounting rthe sort town of Fernie and on through Elko. Heading north we leave the GDR and head toward Radium Hotsprings at Kootenay’s west entrance.
Along the way in the the park we see 10 miles of close trailheads and overlooks due to bear activity. We camp in McLeod Meadows CG, which is situated in a 40+ mile long, wide glacial valley with non stop steep and craggy peaks lining both sides. Some of these reach 6000’ above the valley floor, ripping at clouds as they sneak past, grinning in the sun when the clouds relent.
A soggy hike from the camp ground lead to Dog lake, where find a sheltering pine to hang and wait out a wave of rain. We see an osprey perched on a tree top across the lake and watch as it fishes, seeing many steep plunges into the lake, without success. Cool for us to see, but not so good for the osprey. We relish our chance to see. Also hiked up the Stanley Glacier trail to the glacier overlook. Nice trail into a high mountain cirque with an incredible cliff wall looming high above us, sheltering this glacier. Today a hike near town and the hotsprings to relax ( and, err, “freshen up” a bit)
Along the way in the the park we see 10 miles of close trailheads and overlooks due to bear activity. We camp in McLeod Meadows CG, which is situated in a 40+ mile long, wide glacial valley with non stop steep and craggy peaks lining both sides. Some of these reach 6000’ above the valley floor, ripping at clouds as they sneak past, grinning in the sun when the clouds relent.
A soggy hike from the camp ground lead to Dog lake, where find a sheltering pine to hang and wait out a wave of rain. We see an osprey perched on a tree top across the lake and watch as it fishes, seeing many steep plunges into the lake, without success. Cool for us to see, but not so good for the osprey. We relish our chance to see. Also hiked up the Stanley Glacier trail to the glacier overlook. Nice trail into a high mountain cirque with an incredible cliff wall looming high above us, sheltering this glacier. Today a hike near town and the hotsprings to relax ( and, err, “freshen up” a bit)
Great pics! I want to drive that truck. wOw
ReplyDeleteThanks Dennis,y would have loved the spec, 4 engines, 3300hp,cubic feet of displacement, .....
DeleteExcellent photo of the two of you
ReplyDeleteThanks Don, one of the few sunny moments of the trip, no wonder we are smiling!
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