That was a long walk

The Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park is closed to auto traffic for paving and snow removal at the Avalanche trailhead/campground.  But you can hike or bike up the road.  This seemed like a great opportunity to see the sights off the road.  I passed only about 15 bicyclists, five hikers and one park ranger on my hike to The Loop, six miles up the road.  After six and a half hours of walking I was happy to see my car again and rest my tired feet.  Click the pics for larger size.

Going to the Sun Road with a fresh layer of asphalt and no one in sight.

Lake McDonald was pretty calm.  Light winds and slight drizzle until later in the afternoon.

A different look at the same vista.

Root system of a fallen tree on the Trail of the Cedars path.

Use your imagination.

Pathway on the Trail of the Cedars hike.

Water was flowing everywhere in the park.

Heading up the road you start to see the peaks.

Very few critters on the road today.  This Wood Duck just watched his friend fly off up the river.

The road needs repair before it's ready for the crowds.

The tunnel was covered inside and out with run-off.

Getting closer to my goal.

I don't know what this is, but it tried to take me back to its planet.

The Loop.  Finally.

The view of Heavens Peak from the Loop.

Heading back down the road when it started raining.  Here is where I wished I had ridden my bike so that I could coast all the way back down the mountain.

Bad Weather at Glacier

It was cloudy in Butte, Mt and clear on the roads to Glacier National Park.  The mountains to the west were covered in clouds, but it looked clear to the north.  When I arrived the temperature was in the high thirties with constant rain and heavy wind.  I sat in the car for an hour and visited the East Entrance gift shop and enjoyed the fireplace.  No hiking or animal sightings today.  Click pics for larger view.

Butte on a Sunday morning.

Highway 287

Leading up to the southeastern entrance to the park.

Two Medicine Lake.

Yellowstone Animals

Freezing temperatures and lots of snow, rain and hail prevented me from hiking but the wildlife viewing made up for that.

Just inside the east entrance.

They both decided to cross the road and climb up the hill.

This bear was just about 50 feet above the road.  My car was filling with snow through the sunroof, so I turned around and used the passenger window.

He was near the north end of the big lake.

Almost directly opposite of the bison by the lake.

The hot springs looked great with the cold weather and clouds.

Part of a large herd right by the road.  Many babies throughout the park.

Back in Montana just before sunset.

Continue the Tour

I visited Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park in southwest Utah.  It was 93 degrees in the parks today.  That didn't keep the people away though.  Campsites were all full at both parks.   Click the previews for larger images.

On the road leading to Canyonlands.

Inside the park.

Trails in the park are marked with little piles of rocks.

Mushroom caps.

On the road out a real cowboy herding real free (open) range cattle.  He had two helper dogs too.

Inside Arches National Park.  The Balancing Rock

The Landscape Arch.

Cars give perspective to the size of the spectacle.

Delicate Arch in late afternoon.

I was stuck in traffic for 40 minutes just outside Arches.  Here is the tow truck dragging the remains of someone's camping trailer.

National Parks

Eastern view of the Sierras

A quick spin down the strip.  So many people.

You can see the bypass bridge under construction at Hoover Dam.

Yes, it is Grand. 

Inside the tower/gift shop.

Zion National Park.

Zion the next morning.

Just over the Utah border of Monument Valley.

More to follow shortly.