Beauty from fire 7/24/2016

In 2015 there were 2 major fires in Glacier National Park. One was the Thompson fire that consumed almost 19,000 acres west of the Two Medicine area of the park. The other was the Reynolds Creek fire which burned 4800 acres. The one that headlined the news was the Reynolds Creek fire because the flames reached the Going to the Sun road, and burned along the shore of St. Mary Lake. The Going to the Sun road was closed for a time last summer.

What we found in the wake of the fire, was a glorious experience. Our trail today was from Sundrift Gorge to Baring Falls to St. Mary Falls to Virginia Falls, about an easy 6 mile round trip. The view from the road is ominous: blackened trees everywhere. But as soon as you step on the trail, you can see that nature has already started to rebuild the area. Where the tree canopy was gone, and sunlight , could now penetrate, wildflowers were everywhere. Purple, pink, yellow, red, and white--in all shades. With the tree foliage gone, the lovely St. Mary Lake was visible--a shining, wind whipped green gem.

The waterfalls along the way were lovely, but for me the real attractions were the wildflowers drifted everywhere, and the spectacular lake forming a backdrop.

Having finished this hike, we headed up to the Logan Pass area (located on the Continental Divide at the highest point in Glacier NP) and decided to take the  3 mile round trip Hidden Lake overlook trail. Halfway through, my knee told me it was time to rest. Ray continued to the overlook, and I turned back.