This is a long overdue trip report. I have to appologize that I did not get this in earlier. Life gets in the way:
It's been almost a year to out last venture to GNP. This time we went with some friends that were not comfortable with camping in the back country. The thought of grizzlies roaming around did not appear to be so appealing to them. So we decided not to push the issue and just do some day hiking (my wife was not happy with that concession) But we must compromise (you hearing that congress!)
The Mountain goats were really friendly at Logan Pass:
Falls at Avalanche Lake:
Gorgeous Day at Two Medicine Lake:
Our Friends Nate and Sandy (Bear scared!)
Say What:
Storms moving in. We got caught in this storm and it produced pretty strong lightning. We had to assume the lightning position as we were exposed on a high ridge. It was quite unnerving for about 45 minutes until it passed. I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up and that is not a good sign!
Nice View:
Grizz or black bear. I did not want to stay around to figure it out especially since it was eating!
I'm going with Grizz on this one!
Snow on the trail leading to Piegan Pass:
The wild flowers were in bloom. It was really nice to see them bursting with colors. We usually find ourselves at GNP in late September but this time going in early August really paid off!
Cool example of rock strata formations. By the way it's getting ready to storm again:
Hey little fella:
Beaver doing its thing:
Man, I need to find a way to live here!
Rock'n it:
I'm a huge advocate of bear spray. I mean bear spray, bear spray, bear spray; get the point. We also make sure we call out frequently. It's probably over kill but you can't be too safe. Case in point. We were headed up to Granite Park – making more than enough noise. So about 1 mile to a half mile away from the Chalet we stopped in a nice flower meadow to take pictures. The next thing I know I hear (silently) "S#@t, bears. I turned and I saw three bears through the heavy brush. A sow and her two cubs about 15 yards through the trees. "Crap, how did we get so close and not see them! I'm so better than this", I thought too myself. Here was my mistake (no harm no foul thank God). Earlier I got frustrated with my bear mace constantly falling off my waist strap when I would remove my pack so I placed it in a location not easily accessible. Fast forward. Now I can't reach my bear spray and have to ask one of my friends to get it. If those bears (bear) would have charged I would not have been able to deploy the spray. Lesson learned!! I do believe that the bears new we were coming because we were loud (on purpose) and they just wanted to go about their way. When we reached the Chalet we reported the sighting. The Ranger really interrogated us. We learned that our description fit the bears that had an encounter with Jack Hanna (they called it the Jack Hanna bear). They said they had problems with the cubs. They are too old to be with the sow and need to head off on their own.
The Rangers decided to go down the trail to see if they could push the bears into another valley away form hikers. Too close an encounter her is the photo my wife shot before noticing the bears:
The Crew:
Tripple Divide Pass:
Do not even think about it (actually too late):
Told you it was too late:
The ladies:
Dinner time:
Hands Off! (Cattle Baron Supper Club – It was awesome):
Nate, Sandy Coyt:
Cartoon like:
Ric and Sandy:
