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.