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The Daily Bucket - October in Glacier National Park (Bonus Cat Pictures) [1]
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Date: 2023-11-09
In early October, I began the long trek from the site of my forestry project in New Meadows, Idaho, back to Georgia. By no means was my route direct. Along the way, I visited an old classmate who lives in far northern Montana near the Canadian border. The next night, kitty Narvik and I were hosted by Ojibwa and his wife. From there, the eastbound trek led directly to Glacier National Park.
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns spinning around us.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
Located a short distance from the West Glacier park entrance, the Apgar recreational area on Lake McDonald is the first stop for many visitors to Glacier. Note the snags on the far side of the lake, from a 2003 forest fire. Enlarge.
My time in the park was limited because of all the driving that lay ahead of me. With all the zigs and zags, the trip home took 12 days. I could have easily spent double or triple that time, but at some point I had to get back to the house I hadn’t seen since June!
My pictures were taken near the picnic table emblem at the south end of the lake.
With that in mind, I intended to drive to the lodge at the north end of Lake McDonald, and backtrack towards the West Glacier entrance. However, the entire route beyond Apgar was being repaved. Every pulloff was blocked, and there were numerous waits for construction. I gave up, turned around, and spent some time at Apgar.
Narvik needed some exercise. Given that we were in a park known for its bear population, we didn’t stray far from where we had parked.
Gray cat among the gray pebbles. Enlarge.
Fallen leaves make the trail more inviting. Enlarge.
One last glance at the lake, and it was time to move on. Enlarge.
One fascinating thing about western highways is the range of colors. The asphalt is usually black or gray or brown, but sometimes it takes on a greenish or reddish hue as a result of the materials used.
A red stretch of Highway 2. Enlarge.
Although I had been to West Glacier once before (for the 2015 Epic Daily Kos Meetup), my knowledge of East Glacier was limited to seeing the lodge from the highway. With fall colors at their peak, and with hundreds of miles of flat country awaiting me to the east, I decided that a visit to that side of the park was just about mandatory. The lodge itself was closed. I took this pic a short distance to the north.
From East Glacier, I took Highway 49 north, and followed the park road to Running Eagle Falls. After that, I returned to Highway 49, driving to the town of Kiowa and then heading east on 89. The land east of the park boundary is part of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
There was fresh snow on the peaks. This was the only area in my entire trip where I saw much snow. Enlarge.
View of Two Medicine River from the highway bridge. Enlarge.
Near the dam on Lower Two Medicine Lake. I like the twisty aspens in the foreground. Enlarge.
Lower Two Medicine Lake, with aspens and cottonwoods showing their colors. Enlarge.
Two Medicine Road. Enlarge.
Near the park entrance. Enlarge.
The hike to Running Eagle Falls will be for a later Bucket. Here’s a parting shot near Kiowa, as I left the mountains and the aspen groves.
Wide open spaces to the east. Enlarge.
I intended to post a series of photo diaries once I got home from my western travels. However, I’ve alternated between being busy and being lazy. Eventually I’ll get some more diaries posted.
Meanwhile, let’s hear what’s going on in your part of the world.
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