Christmas Snow

Faces of Thanksgiving

We were blessed with a houseful of family for Thanksgiving dinner again this year. It's always a day I look forward to. This year Matt took some portraits for a school project. Some I thought turned out quite well.

Leafless Trees, Geese, and the Moon

Meadow Sunset

Jack O' Lanterns

Pumpkins

Sunrise September 27

Why is it called the Garden Wall?

I think the picture answers the question better than any words I could come up with. It was a spectacular walk. Thanks for showing it to me Paul.

The Garden Wall

photo by AHOB staff photographer Paul Ollig

After a refreshing lunch in the chalet's dining room with it's cool granite floor, we begin the end of the day's walk. Over my shoulder is a great look back at the Garden Wall. That morning we enjoyed a nice stroll with spectacular views of the glacial valley. We traveled from the ridge on the far right of the picture to this point hardly breaking a sweat. Though the distance we had left to cover was less than 4 miles - all downhill, that was all about to change.

We arrived at the loop where we had left Paul's car early that morning hot, sweaty, and plenty tired. We passed several hikers heading in the other direction that afternoon. The look on each of their faces reminded me things could have been far worse for me. I could have been headed up like they were.

Granite Park Chalet

Here we are enjoying the balcony at the Chalet. Paul met the staff doing some ranger training stuff at the beginning of the season. So we got the red carpet treatment. If you are familiar with Night of the Grizzlies, the place the young woman in the book met her demise is just over my shoulder. Below is the view from one of the rooms.

Even More from the Highline Trail

This may give you a better perspective on the steepness of which I blogged yesterday. See that rather visible line that looks like a switchback hiking trail? Well, that's not a trail. That's the going to the sun road. Turn your attention to the red circle on the left. That's 2 hikers on the trail a few hundred yards behind us.

More from the Highline Trail

When I got my first look at this section of the trail the day before the hike, I have to admit my fear of heights started to get the better of me. I even expressed my concern to Paul that evening. He convinced me it was only the first couple of miles that would be like that. So off we went.

Well, the trail hugs a very steep slope for most of the 9 miles to Granite Park Chalet. But after the first couple of miles I was fine. The feeling I had reminded me of being on the side of a mountain on downhill ski's. Probably because most the time I've spent on steep slopes like that were while skiing. It was all sort of oddly familiar. And during the descent to the valley, I would have welcomed ski's and snow over the pounding of the dirt on the switchbacks.

(photo by AHOB staff photographer Paul Ollig)

Another Stump Pic

Happy Birthday Alondra

Resting Trailside

Ranger Paul Rangering

Hidden Lake Overlook

Deanna at Logan Pass

Hanging Out at Paul and Sonja's

Bowman Lake

The Other Kid Lakeside

Kids Lakeside

Lunch

Helping Hand

Mountain Goat

OMG! A baby goat! He's so cute. (had to beat Lauren and friends to the punch)

Follow the Guy in the Funny Hat

Ranger Paul did finally show up. This is the trek from Logan Pass to Hidden Lake where we were promised a baby mountain goat sighting. Come back tomorrow to see if the promise is fulfilled.

Bighorn Sheep

We got up early to meet Ranger Paul at Logan Pass one morning. He was going to film some mountain goat for work (hopefully a baby goat). While waiting for Paul (he sleeps late) we were greeted by 7 bighorn sheep.

We were among the first to arrive at the pass that day. It was quiet and a wonderful experience. The early morning people at Logan Pass are the sort with whom you don't mind sharing the splendor. Far different than the hustle and bustle that starts around 9am each day. Come back tomorrow for an update on the baby goat.

Look Who's Mug Made the Featured Story

Photo by MC3 Walter M. Wayman

You can read the story that goes with the photo on the official John C. Stennis website here.

If you saw the new Transformers movie, rumor has it Eddie was driving when they shot the Optimus Prime walking on the deck scene. (OK, maybe not)

Happy Birthday Son

Skipping Rocks

A very familiar spot to many of the regular readers. It's still the same as I remember. Eerily so, given it had been a quarter century since my last visit. Far too long to be away from such a special place.