Grand Teton, Yellowstone & Glacier National Park Road Trip

Glacier National Park

The next morning we woke up super early and entered Glacier National Park before the sun was up. Our heading today was the infamous Avalanche Lake. Avalanche Lake is a very popular hike and because half of the park was closed due to the pandemic, it was even more paramount that we got to the trailhead early to find a parking spot. With some patience, we got lucky and parked at the very last spot.

The air was still chilly as we walked briskly along the treeline and onto the boardwalk. We figured the faster that we walked, the warmer we would get. The Trail of Cedars is a 1-mile boardwalk and gravel trail that winds its way through a thick forest of cedars.

The hike to Avalanche Lake is a 4.5 mile round trip and is one of the more strenuous hikes we did. As we slowly climbed in elevation through the thick and dense forest brush, we watched the sun pierce through the trees. It was starting to warm up and we sensed we were getting closer to the lake. During our hike, we stopped a few times very briefly to catch our breath, take a photo and continued onward. But mostly, we were kept on high alert for Bear activity.

We peered around the last bend in the trail, as I wiped the sweat from my brow, and looked mercifully at the pristine lake in front of me. The crystal clear beachfront was glistening in the morning sun. It was a bit crowded at the lakefront so we decided to walk along the shore to find a peaceful spot of our own. Once we found a good spot to rest, we had a quick protein bar.

Instagram – @Navigator.Nick

I could sit at Avalanche Lake all day and just enjoy being surrounded by nature. In totality, we spent just about an hour here. I was going back and forth about getting in the lake and swimming but it was just too darn cold. Although, my hiking boots ended up failing me and I did slip on a rock and went half-way in anyways. Amanda had a good laugh at me for doing so, not my best moment! The temperature at this point was no higher than 52 degrees and I didn’t feel like walking back soaking wet AND cold.

This area of Glacier National Park was named by Dr. Lyman Sperry. While exploring the basin in June of 1895, Sperry saw and heard multiple avalanches roaring down the surrounding mountains, and agreed with his exploring party “that Avalanche Basin would be a most appropriate name for the place”. On a return trip later that summer Sperry would discover the glacier that now bears his name.

I would give this hike a 9/10 for its beautiful scenery, moderate difficulty and a great payoff.

Onward…

GOING-TO-THE-SUN ROAD

On the road: 25 miles, 45 minutes from Avalanche Lake

This just might be the moment we had been anticipating this entire trip…the scenic drive along Going-to-the-Sun Road. It’s hairpin turns and winding cliffside with vertigo-inducing heights will have you on the edge of your seat.

After our Avalanche Lake hike and return to our car, we made a quick sandwich stop along the road, enjoying beautiful views of the park. It was late morning now and we ran into a little bit of traffic, which was expected at this time of the day. It didn’t make the scenery any less dramatic though and we stopped along the road as we went.

Photos do not do it justice and words cannot explain the feeling it gives you when you’re taking in the epic landscape. brings me back to moments at Zion National Park!

Related: Zion National Park Trip

Now, because of Covid-19 we didn’t make it all the way to Many Glacier, but instead we made it as far East as Sun Point Nature Trail. It was here that we found some shorter hikes to scratch off the Glacier National Park bucket list!

Baring and St. Mary Falls

After our longer hike at Avalanche Lake this morning, we still wanted to adventure but we didn’t want to wear ourselves out for the day. So, we chose to hike Baring and St. Mary Falls on the Sun Point Nature Trail. Baring Falls is a an easy trail and located about .8miles away from the trailhead.

According to Through The Years In Glacier National Park, the Baring Falls are named for one of the Baring brothers, both London bankers who were guided by Joe Kipp and James Willard Schultz during a hunting trip in the Glacier Park area in the late 1880’s.

At roughly three-tenths of a mile from the trailhead we arrived at a trail junction. We continued straight ahead towards Sun Point, roughly six-tenths of a mile away, turning right at the junction. Roughly one-tenth of a mile further down the trail we reached a footbridge that crosses over Baring Creek. It was here that we got our first glimpse at the fall.

Baring Falls is a pleasant waterfall that drops roughly 25 feet over a rock ledge. And if you were to continue walking over the bridge and get closer to the falls, you can walk along the rocks to get up close as you see me in the photo on the left, above.

I would give this hike a 8.5/10 for its up-close and personal waterfall experience in a gorgeous setting.

After plunging over the ledge, Baring Creek continues flowing for another hundred yards or so before spilling into Saint Mary Lake. 

We continued from Baring Creek and followed the St Mary trail for roughly another .5 mile or so. At six-tenths of a mile, we reached the St. Mary River. Soon afterwards we heard the thunder of crashing water, and in another quarter-mile, we finally arrived at St. Mary Falls, one of the more spectacular waterfalls in the park.

Instagram – @Navigator.Nick

St. Mary Falls drops roughly 35 feet in three separate tiers, with the two largest being the most photogenic. A smaller waterfall can be found below the footbridge. Even on a hot September day, the rush of water forces a cool breeze down the narrow gorge. You’ll also likely notice the incredibly beautiful aqua-green color of the pools just below the falls. I would give this waterfall a 7.5/10 because it was a little crowded and the waterfall was not as close as Baring Falls.

As our sore back and legs became wary from the days adventure, we thought it was best to call it a day and start to head back down Going to the Sun Road. The drive back was just as beautiful as the drive up, albeit with more traffic.

We made it back to the West Glacier KOA, grabbed an ice cream (again, ha!) and fired up the Georgie for dinner.