Last Days in Glacier

I took a lot of this view - Bowman Lake

After a lovely night by Lake Francis, there was only Brown pass still to tackle. This was another tough day, because there was quite a lot of elevation gain, and then loss down the other side. This day was also special because we finally saw a bear. After all the precautions and messing around, we finally saw one. It was a loooong way away, almost perfect bear viewing distance. Perhaps it could have been a bit closer. Lucky we brought our binoculars, so you could actually see that it was a bear. It looked like a black bear, but the guide reckons it was a grizzly, I think he was just saying that though. That was definitely quite exciting. They sure do look friendly, from that distance, it was just mooching around the huckleberry bushes eating it's fill.

Thunderbird Lake - no sign of moose

On the way up to the pass we went past Thunderbird Lake (the most awesome lake name), this was where there had been moose sightings in the past. Apparently they like to eat the water grass around this lake. It was one of the most beautiful lakes I think I've seen, but unfortunately no moose. I think the guide was more nervous of seeing a moose than seeing a bear. I guess it's about the size of a bear, but with a much smaller brain. It seems they can be a bit unpredictable.

Thunderbird Lake - looking the other way.

The way down from the pass was pretty awesome too, just massive mountains all over the place, and these great rock walls. Very similar to the first day, too bad the sky was really closing in. Our last night was spent at the tip of Lake Bowman, a massive lake. What with the news that the glaciers will be gone from this park in 20 years or so, I guess they can rename it Awesome Lakes national park. Perhaps not the same ring to it, which is a bit of a shame. I think we'll have to go back before then, if only to see the iceberg lake. Glacier is definitely a place I see myself revisiting. It really was special.

Snow up in the pass

Great rock walls on the way down

As we set up our tents for the last night it started to rain again, of course. So we all huddle in the tents for an hour or so until it stops. When we re-emerge we see that the pass we had just come through is now covered in snow. It seems that our trip was going to be the last trip of the season. Later that evening some more people arrived in the campsite. They were looking pretty stuffed, it seemed they had been caught in the hailstorm up at the pass. That would not have been pleasant. 

In the end though, the skies cleared for a beautiful evening, and all the snow melted away. It really was a great end to a spectacular 6 days.

The snow has melted away - a very pretty campsite

Shot from the end of the walk - looking back up Lake Bowman