wrong way

Yesterday my buddy E and I found the East Glacier Loop trail. We climbed steps and rocky switchbacks, saw incredible waterfalls and views. Unfortunetly we were limited on time and couldn't do the whole trail. So we made plans to meet again today. In the meantime I had figured out there was a "hard" way and "easy" way to do the loop, we had embarked on the "hard" or so I thought. Anyway today despite the temps in the 40's and the constant rain we started out to find the "easy" way. We walked and walked and hit several dead ends. After about an hour we came upon houses....not the right direction. Obviously we had missed our intended trail. All was not lost though we found some very interesting sites. One was a bunch of scrap metal and rusted cans. We found a deserted tent and truck cab in a small meadow. And of course the random waterfalls, pools and gigantic boulders. After about 2 hours we finally did find our intended trail however wet, tired and under a time crunch to pick up preschoolers we were unable to climb. I am attaching some pics from the first day where we made it part way around. I am hoping to add an entry later this week with pics from the entire hike, hoping we are able to do it Friday. Although I must admit the "warning confirmed sightings of brown bear with cubs at the top of Glacier Loop Trail" sign has me thinking twice...

Sunshine

Beautiful day yesterday! A little brisk in the morning but the sun was shinning. My friend E and I hiked around the glacier. We actually got right up next to the falls. It was quite impressive. I was surprised at how small the glacier looked from that angle. We then headed over to the ecology trail. As we were crossing the street to check out another trail we spotted mamma bear and her cubs racing across the parking lot! They managed to get themselves onto the protected walkway for tourists. We waiting with a few other locals to see where they would head. Somehow they crawled over the railing and dashed through the woods. We caught a second glimpse of them as they ran under the salmon spawning viewing platform. It was very cool. The babies have gotten so much bigger than earlier in the summer. Today we hope to hit the trail we were headed for before being distracted by the bears.

In the afternoon the kids enjoyed riding their bikes. I am guessing the days they will be able to do this are quite numbered. Little A is getting to be quite brave and good on his.

I will post pics of our walk soon.

snow

Yep you read that title right, I saw snow on Mt McGinnis this morning! And it wasn't even just the tippy top, it came about 1/4 of the way down. I hear there is a wintry mix in the forecast for us next week but haven't checked myself. We thought it was crazy last year when the first snow fall was before Big A's birthday, it will be totally insane if it comes before Little A's!

Speaking of Little A, he started hockey today. So fun! They crawled, rolled, slid and skated around on the ice. Even I wanted to be out there playing. He enjoyed himself and is glad to finally have his own sport and not be on the sideline waiting for his sister. Planning on bringing a video camera next week.

Return to the Rainforest

Well I have truly returned to the rainforest and it is not letting me forget it. I arrived last night to a light drizzle and actually stopped to think about it before walking out of the airport door into the drizzle, something that normally doesn't phase me. As for right now it is coming down in buckets, I could even hear it over the shower! C'est la vie.

It was wonderful to see everyone. I enjoyed being back in Va, the weather was beautiful. However a part of me missed my mountains and the simple life of a small town. Now to unpack...

A visit home

I am enjoying a visit to the east coast thanks to my wonderful husband and Alaska airlines miles! It has been so nice to see and hang out with my friends. Today L took me to Target, oh how I miss Target! I managed to control myself but only because I know I have a trip to Dulles Towne Center and Tyson's Corner on the schedule. Tonight I got to meet 2 beautiful babies born this past spring, it is amazing how time flies. I hear the kiddos are doing well with daddy. He took the swimming and I am told they both swam across the pool! The movie outing didn't go so well though, G tells me Big A didn't make it past the "enjoy your popcorn" part of the previews. I hear they will try again tomorrow.

West Glacier Trail

Today I got to do my first real climbing hike.  My buddy E and I, dressed in our rain gear, dropped the kiddos off at preschool then headed to skaters cabin to the trail West Glacier Trail head.  At the head of the trail we stopped to view a memorial for a teenager that fell and died earlier this summer from the Mt McGinnis trail which is joined to the West Glacier trail.  It was quite sad.  

The beginning of  the trail was wide and relatively flat, a very gradual climb.  We crossed several rushing streams and some bridges.  Then the trail started a more steep climb with lots of rocks.   There was even a rocky part that was so steep and slippery it required handrails.  Although I didn't need them much going up, I was quite thankful for them on the trip down!  E and I walked about 55 min before having to turn around, not sure how long it would take us to get back down with my foot and wanting to make the 11:30 preschool pick up.  We stopped where the trail made a VERY steep climb up a rocky staircase.  It was a very fun hike.  I was ecstatic that my foot could handle it and even surprised myself at the ease of the decent.  I am very much looking forward to doing the whole trail next time and hopefully it won't be raining.  I was pretty wet by the time we reached the car.  Here are a few pictures of the trail and the views.  I tried to get pictures of the steep rocky parts but don't think they came out that well.

My hiking buddy posted some pics on her blog of our hikes here is the link with the pics.

http://greetingsfromthelastfrontier.blogspot.com/2009/09/exploring-new-paths.html