Piegan Pass and Syeh Pass

Today was my last day in Montana.  It has been a great trip.  I love it here.  I am thankful that I have friends who live here and like to have me visit and hike with them.  The hike I did today was up two passes.  The first was very mellow but had beautiful views.  First there were flowers galore, then fantastic views of glacier covered moutain and finally brillant blue lakes emerging from snowfields.

Afterwards I went on to Syeh Pass with awesome views of glaciers and many wildflowers. It was truly a great day.  I had a few great wildlife sightings including a pika, marmots, deer eating flowers, etc.  Tomorrow I head to Washington and then up to Mt Rainier for a couple of days.

 

Ptarmigan Tunnel

Today started with some awesome animal sightings on the way to the trailhead.  I saw a moose on the side of the road and two red foxes right in the road.  Unfortunately, my camera was in the back with my backpack so no photos.  I hiked out of Many Glacier up to Ptarmigan Tunnel.  

• The Ptarmigan Tunnel was built in 1930 through the Ptarmigan Wall at an elevation of 7,200 feet (2,200 m) in Glacier National Park, near Many Glacier. The 250-foot (76 m) tunnel allows hikers to avoid a strenuous climb over very steep terrain between Many Glacier and the Belly River valley. Two opposing steel jackhammers drilling from either side of the tunnel and a series of ten-hole rounds of dynamite gradually broke through the mountain in less than three months. A wide area, originally for guide and tourist horses, extends from each portal with a masonry retaining wall. Natural rock lines the interior walls. Heavy iron doors were hung across the tunnel aditsduring the summer of 1975. They remain open from mid-July until October 1, weather permitting. The 250 feet (76 m) long tunnel is a unique man-made feature in Glacier. This trail tunnel embodies exceptional qualities of landscape architecture and engineering in a pedestrian-scaled tunnel, cut through a sheer mountain wall. The portals frame spectacular views.^{[2] (per wiikipedia)}

On the way I startled a young chick (shown above).  I choose to think it is a ptarmigan but it is probably a grouse.  Its mother was none to happy and stalked me down the trail telling me off (also shown above).  Soon she figured I was no threat and headed off into the vegetation.  I continued on the trail.

The weather was cool and it was cloudy.  Soon it started to lightly rain but there was not much to it.  I hiked up to the lake and then up to the tunnel.

I went through to the other side and had some beautiful views of Elizabeth lake.  It was chilly and I soon headed back the way that I came.  I spotted a marmot chowing  down on some flowers on my way back by Ptarmigan Lake and saw some goats high above me on the cliffs.  As I made my way down the trail I startled couple told me that they had just come across a moose on the trail.  They warmed me to hide behind trees if it charged.  A couple of more minutes and I came across three more people who had seen the moose.  However, he seemed to have enough of human company because I was unable to spot him.  I travelled on and met more people.  One was very worried about grizzlies.  He had seen some "grizzly scat".  He was sure it was from a grizzly from what it contained.  I kept an eye out on my way down but all I saw was horse manure.  I guess he was a little confused.  

Many people were heading out on the trail now.  I moved aside to let them pass as they have the right of way (uphill).  One guy let me know that there was a moose just a little farther on.  I kept my fingers crossed and sure enough I saw it and this time I got a photo.  My moose dry spell is offiically over.

As I was almost done I came across a fairly worried father who asked me if I had seen his son hiking alone in a funny hat.  I told him I had not.  Then he sent his other son down towards the Swiftcurrent Lodge (probably to look for said missing son).   As I reached the end of my journey I saw a boy in a green hat walking along listening to music on his iphone or other device.  I asked him if he by chance was looking for his family and if his father would consider his hat funny looking.  Sure enough it was the missing boy.  I gave him information about where is father was and showed him the way to the trailhead.  That was the end of a very nice hiking day. 

Herd of bears

After a doozy of a hike yesterday I decided to do something more moderate today. I hiked up the South Shore Trail to Upper Two Medicine Lake. I came across these huckleberries along the way. It is very, very early in the season for these but there has been low rainfall and high temperatures this year and they are maturing early as a result. I ate these three berries. However, it is unlawful to eat them in Canada. I guess they want to leave them for the bears and other wildlife. I continued down the trail looking at every small pond and waterway for moose. None were found sad to say. However, on my way out of the park I came across a herd of large black lifeforms. Jane told me a story about these lifeforms yesterday. Apparently, a tourist came across these same lifeforms on the way to Two Medicine entrance station. Once there she said to the ranger "I just drove by a herd of black bears. I know they were black bears because they were black". Here is a photo of these lifeforms.

Pitamakin Dawson Pass Loop

Today I hiked a great hike that began at the North Shore Trailhead in Two Medicine Campground. I hiked with Jane and Karen and a few of Karen's friends. We hiked up to trail towards Old Man Lake. At Old Man Lake we began some serious climbing with great views of Old Man Lake and the mountain basin that surrounds it. At the top of the Pass we took a break to enjoy views of five lakes in the valleys around us. Then it was off on the last big climb of the the hike to the backside of the mountain. We had to cross one steep snowfield but there were well worn tracks in it making it not too scary. There we had views west of many snow covered peaks and a hanging glacier. We ridge walked from there. Afternoon thunderstorms were predicted but we started early and they were only just building. We crossed unnamed pass with views east and west and then on to Dawson Pass. It was truely beautiful. However, once at Dawson Pass we began to hear thunder and spotted lightening. We were still quite high and started down the trail. We encountered a number of hikers intending to do the ridge section of the loop. We let them know that the lightening had already arrived but they said no problem. That haunted me on my way down. Many people come to the wilderness afraid of wildlife but more people are killed by lightening than bears. The NOAA website states that there are approximately 50 fatalities from lightening strikes each year. There are on average three fatalaties from bears each year. OK done with that rant. We made it almost to lake level and then the skies opened and it poured rain and hailed. The trail turned into a wet muddy stream. However it wasn't freezing and we were moving at a pretty quick rate so we were not cold. By the time we reached the trailhead we were a sodden mess but the rain had stopped. We stopped in to talk to our friend, Lynn, who is a ranger. I asked her about the mountain lion that had caused a trail closure the prior week. Apparently it had been circling a hiker. That is kind of scary. Hike stats - 18 miles 4000 ft accumulated elevation gain

Grand Canyon 2011

From Grand Canyon 2011

Feb18

I got up early, early to drive up to the South Rim. I didn't leave until I called to be sure that I would be allowed to hike with he winter storm on it's way in. I was told no problem.

Last time I parked at the backcountry office and took the bikers express shuttle to the South Kaibab trailhead. This time I was arriving too late for that. Besides the hiker shuttle let off like 40 people who start hiking all at once. Where is the solitude in that.?Not that hiking the Grand Canyon is a solitary endeavor. However. I prefer not to be on the hiking highway.

Anyway the regular shuttle is supposed to come ever 15 minutes. It was a cold wait and a very long 15 minutes in which I contemplated the amount of clothing I was wearing. It turns out that this was the most clothing that I would wear all trip.

There were two men and their sons aged about 12 waiting for the shuttle as well. They were equipped (or so they thought) to camp at the bottom. Once the van picked us up they started discussing their equipment and they realized that they had left behind their tent poles. Lucky they realized at the top but they had to get off the shuttle and catch another one back to their car to get the poles.

I continued on and transferred shuttles at the visitor center and eventually made it to the south kaibob trailhead.

The sun seemed to be burning off the clouds. There was some snow and ice present but not enough for Yaktrax. I just picked my way around it.

As I descended it warmed and I stripped layers. I almost wished for shorts at one point. The sun was just right. It wasn"t too bright washing out the amazing colors of the rocks and it wasn't dark behind clouds.

I made it to Phantom Ranch in a little over four hours including many photo stops, restroom stops and lunch. The only unfortunate thing was my knee it started hurting towards the end. I feel like the tin man.

After I checked in I ran into a bunch of photogenic deer who begged me to take their photos and I obliged. Then I ambled down by the river to take more photos down there.

Dinner is at 6:30. It is served family style. I have ordered veggie chili. I think there is chocolate cake for desert. I will also (at an extra cost) a beer to round out he day.

The sky is blue now at the end of the day. Maybe the rain and snow that are supposed to start tonight at 11 are delayed. Otherwise I expect a wet hike out in the AM. I have lovely purple and as yet untested purple rain pants. Their biggest problem is the foot openings. They can be put on over boots so I think that I will have to start the day wearing them. The question is should I wear them over my regular pants. I will have to ponder this tonight.

The veggie chili was amazing. It was made with garbanzo beans and black beans. The tecate that I had with it went down a treat.

Feb 19
I left at 6am wearing the purple rain pants over my hiking pants. It was still dark but I was trying to beat the storm to the top. It started raining before I even got to the Colorado River. I was over dressed in my multiple layers and rain pants. I had to strip down a number of times before Indian Gardens. Finally I was wearing a short sleeve shirt, hiking pants, gaiters and my rain jacket and I was very comfortable. Although it was raining, it was a light, intermittent rain and was really no problem. I also still had some nice views. I made it to Indian Gardens at 8:30 and had a long break. From there it was up up up.

The first stop above Indian Gardens was 3 mile house. The trail became very sloppy with a river of water and several lakes instead of steps. At 1.5 mile rest stop it began pouring and there was ice on the trail. I put on my Yaktrax and had little problem. At some point above 1.5 mile rest stop there was an stone arch over the trail. On one side of the arch it was raining and on the other side is was snowing. It was very odd. The snow increased as I approached the top. I realized that the roads would be getting bad very soon. I struggled to get out of my shoes, Yaktrax and gaiters but my hands were frozen. I finally got my footwear off and used my rather new ice scraper to clean the very snowy windshield and headed out.

The roads were getting tricky fast. The subaru (now named Faith) did a wonderful job. I saw cars very out of control. One did a 180 right in front of me. I made it to Williams and decided to hop the freeway before it closed. Almost as soon as I got on I saw a car in the median. A little farther on there was some kind of accident on the east bound side. Traffic was backed up for miles. I only had to go about 20 miles and the snow lessened and driving became much easier. I made it home in the late afternoon. I have to say that hiking for 5.5 hours immediately followed by 4 hours of driving does not a comfortable body make but I am home safe and sound and happy.

National Geographic Lindblad Trip - Last Days

From Ecuador

Photos here.

We made an early morning visit to one of the iconic places in the Galapagos - Cerro Dragon. It is a volcanic hill with views down to a unique rock formation next to a beautiful beach. It was many steps up but the view was very, very nice.

In the last days we went snorkeling many times. It was so great. What was so really good was that we saw penguins not only on the rocks but also in the water with us. It was really impossible to get a photo of them in the water. They are super fast swimmers. I was checking them out and one almost swam right into my face. It was like a guided missile shooting at me. It certainly startled me.

Austin did not snorkel until the last day. However, he saw everything on that last day. He got to see all the fish plus penguins, sea lions and turtles. It was great.

Thanks Dad for such a great trip. We all enjoyed it and will remember it always.

National Geographic Lindblad Trip - Santa Cruz Island

From Ecuador

Check out the photos here.

Santa Cruz Island has a larger population than the other islands. The village of Puerto Ayora has a population of 15,000 people. It is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. We visited the Charles Darwin Research Station and viewed some of its conservation efforts. Ever increasing tourism has impacted the amazing wildlife in the Galapagos. The Research Station studies the impact and tries to ensure the preservation of all wildlife in the Galapagos.

At the research station we saw our first tortoises. The station has a number of tortoises. They are pretty big animals and can weigh up to 800 lbs. Early visitors would take them from the Galapagos because they could survive a long time in ships and provide food for sailers. The population is now quite low. The Pinta Island tortoise has only one remaining specimen - Lonesome George. You would think him old at 77 years old but tortoises can live up to 150 years. If the research station can not find someone for George to mate with he may be the last of the Pinta Island tortoises. He won't mate with just any other tortoise. Some tortoises with similar DNA have been found on a volcano on Isabela island. Researches think that maybe a ship with a variety of tortoises wrecked and the tortoises made it to Isabela island. They are hoping that one of these tortoises will interest poor old Lonesome George. The research station has a breeding program to help increase populations of all tortoises in Galapagos islands.

The research station has worked hard to eradicate non-native species such as goats and rats on the various islands.

After checking out the station we walked into Puerto Ayora. There was plenty of shopping there that I ignored. My nephews got some crazy masks and pants. My brother-in-law also got some crazy pants. I am not sure anyone else bought anything. I used the internet which was much cheaper than on the ship.

We then headed up to the highlands. After lunch Huichi and I headed further up to check out large volcanic sink holes. These occur when a large bubble in lava forms. After the lava cools the bubble collapses forming a large sinkhole. Next we headed down to a farm. These farms have realized they can make additional income by opening up their farms and letting tourists walk around looking for tortoises in the wild. We did see a few. Apparently my sister's group saw like six.