After a quick stop in Calgary we crossed back into the US and almost immediately turned into the Many Glacier part of Glacier National Park.
We stayed at the wonderful Many Glacier Hotel, and were super lucky that access to the area was restricted for construction. The hotel is stunning and right on the Swiftcurrent Lake (see the hotel on the far right)We lucked out and got a room with this stunning view.First thing in the morning we headed out for a hike. To shorten things, and to make it more interesting, we took a boat over the lake. In fact it was a boat over the Swiftcurrent, a walk, and then a boat across the next lake too.Almost immediately we saw a grizzly bear making it’s way along the hillside. This was the first either of us had ever seen, and also rounded out the trio (grizzly, black, polar) for the trip – very exciting!We then headed up the trail toward Grinnell Glacier. The views of Grinnell Lake and the mountains were magical all the way up.The first wildlife we saw was this stunning bighorn sheep.He was walking along the trail and totally unbothered by us waiting.We eventually topped out at Upper Grinnell Lake, which was gorgeous. Really cool to have all these big blocks of ice floating around.After a beer and some lunch, we started to make our way along the lake shore to check out the glacier.We walked all the way over to touch the glacier itself.On the way back down we came across this mountain goat, also not at all bothered by our presence.And then a moose! Fortuntely this was a fair distance from the trail.Sunset from our balconyAnd then we spotted a beaver cruising slowly past!Next morning I was up fairly early for a run.I went to Grinnell Lake, which we had been looking down on during our hike the previous day. I had the place all to myself.We rented a kayak and paddled all over the lake exploring.We finally got a shot of the kingfishers. At the start of this trip we didn’t even know there were kingfishers here. They’re very shy so we struggled to get photos.And then we also saw a beaver! He was quite brave when we just sat still.We drove the famous Going-to-the-sun road through the park. Very busy!That evening we saw this black bear chowing down on berries near the hotel. He was unconcerned by hikers.On the last morning before leaving I shot out the door towards Iceberg Lake. The lake is in this huge amphitheatre and the approach was stunning. The lake is really incredible. Situated at the base of these huge cliffs.And again, I had the entire place to myself.
