July 30, 2015 Logan Pass, Glacier National Park, Montana

Glacier National Park is one of our favorite places in the USA.  Sadly, though, the Going to the Sun road was closed on the east side of the park due to the Reynolds Creek Fire (caused by people).  It was only open to Logan Pass, and using the park shuttle was highly recommended.  So that's what we did, along with a zillion other people....  We got in the shuttle line at 9 a.m. and arrived at Logan Pass at noon - what a cluster!  But we were determined to hike the wonderful Hidden Lake trail once again, so we persevered.  Although it was pretty crowded, the day was spectacular for a hike and people were friendly....

Up we go.

Snowmelt runoff.  Yes that water was frigid!

Oh, the alpine wildflowers!  Magnificent!  Whole fields and hillsides full of the prettiest posies you'll ever see....  Just literally took my breath away.  (or maybe that was the elevation making me breathe harder)

Alpine Paintbrush (pink) and a lot of other blooms I have not yet identified.

Yellow paintbrush.

The trail was a bit crowded....

A piece of the Reynolds Creek fire.

Hidden Lake.

Hidden Lake overlook.  Did I mention it was crowded?

Ms. Mountain Goat.  Best I could do using my cellphone camera.
She was wearing a tracking collar.

Raider of the Untended Backpack!

A small piece of snow that was accessible via a short side trail.

See the grizzly bear in the upper right corner?
Best Bubba could do with the camera fully zoomed.

Evening at Lake McDonald.

Leaving the park....