Hiking Day!

Alarm set for 4:45am so we could get to Glacier National Park for sunrise. So, naturally, I was up at 2:30am, worrying about bears.

Going to the Sun (GTTS) Road in GNP is supposed to be one of the most scenic drives in America. We drove most of it in the dark, attempting to get ahead of the crowds. You spend at least half of the 49 miles sandwiched between potential death (driving off the side of the cliff face) and a painful insurance claim (driving into the rock wall that’s 6 inches from the side of your car). Ken: “Don’t worry babe, going over the side is a very low probability. But not zero.” Glacier could use some higher guard rails. Just saying.

We got one of the last parking spots at our trailhead – at 7am. I can’t imagine the chaos, congestion, and general cluster that this road is during the height of summer.

If I’m hiking, I need there to be some kind of payoff. So, Ken chose a “moderate” hike with a couple of waterfalls. I’ve got my handy walking stick, so let’s do this.

At the start of our hike, a woman (who was clearly a semi-pro hiker) complimented my hiking boots. Gave me a boost of confidence knowing I chose good gear. But, ultimately, I’m not a hiker. I’m someone who occasionally walks in the woods with really good boots and a stick.

Turns out really good hiking boots can’t save you from being a klutz. You know where this is going. Yep. I fell. Slipped off a rock near the final waterfall, and fell backwards. Luckily, I fell on one of the softer rocks. Ken was off on one of his side quests, so he didn’t see it. But three random strangers sure did. Welp. Embarrassing. Nothing serious, but my left elbow and hip are going to have some goooood bruises tomorrow. Will not be posting those pictures.

Sidebar: Learned after our hike that a woman died on that same hike in June. She slipped on a rock and went into the water at the top of the falls. She fell over several smaller falls and ended up getting pinned under a log and drowned.

Lesson here: hiking is dangerous.

Finished the hike. Because I’m a goddamned trooper. As we approached the parking lot (my hiking Nirvana), I sent Ken off on another side hike. He’s got to get it out of his system. Me? I’m done with nature for today.

We drove GTTS Road back to the west side of the park. It was MUCH more crowded than when we arrived under cover of darkness. The line to get into the park was over 2 miles long. And we’re here in off season. I think today will be our one and done day in the park.

Cheers!

Travel date: September 10, 2024