Tonelli's Travels

After a day of much needed rest, we woke up before the sunrise to drive into Glacier and get a coveted spot at Logan Pass.  The Logan Pass Visitor Center, situated in the middle of the park at the top of the Going to the Sun Road, is a busy location as many hikes begin from here.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions and precautions, the shuttle busses are not operating in the park this year, which means everyone needs to drive in order to access the sights and hiking.  It also means Logan Pass parking lot fills up by 8:15AM.  So, to ensure a spot so we could hike the High Line Trail, we left at 6:30AM and watched the sunrise as we drove through the mountains.  And it paid off, we got a spot.

Now, I am feeling very confident driving the Solis, even up and down the windy park road, but parking is another story.  Pulling the 19’ 9” van into a regular parking spot is nerve racking to say the least. After two attempts in two different spots, I admitted defeat and handed the wheel over to my dad.  He, directed by my mom, successfully maneuvered into the spot with room to spare.  Thank goodness for team effort!

After a deep sigh of relief, we geared up with our winter hats (yes, I said WINTER hats), gloves, and jackets to hit the trail. Northern Montana weather has huge temperature swings in the summer, often dropping into the 40s and 50s at night and rising into the 80s or 90s during the day. So a lot of days we started our hike looking like it was early winter back home. Good thing I like the cooler temperatures – we always seem to have a way of meeting each other on my travels. I don’t think I’d know what to do with a Caribbean weather vacation.

The High Line Trail is a popular route as it’s easily accessible and largely flat, but it is not easy. 7.2 miles round trip, the trail traverses across the mountain most of the way on a ledge. At the beginning, the trail is carved into the stone with a path about 3-4 feet wide and a cable for those craving extra security. The trail then continues across the mountain, sometimes cutting through trees, mostly in the wide open, across the side of the mountain. Once again, we were treated to splendid views the entire way.

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The only downside to this trail is that it is super popular.  It means that you don’t have to worry about hiking alone or what to do if you happen to get hurt, which are good things, however it also means that you are frequently pulling over to let people pass as they return or to make room for the speedy hikers you come up behind you.  As someone who is introverted and tends to enjoy nature for its space and solitude, this was at times frustrating.  It is also additionally challenging during this time in history as we navigate the pandemic.  While being outside is considered a low risk activity, it is still a risk that my parents and I are acutely aware of.  Traveling is also a risk (and privilege) right now.  We try to do our part by hiking with our masks and always pull them up when someone passes.  We use and sanitizer before eating and leave all our clothes out to air in the sun after hiking.  Still, hiking a crowded trail is something we will do a better job of avoiding going forward.

Additionally, a few hiking guidelines and tips before I move on. When hiking, always pack at least 2 liters of water and a few snacks, no matter how far or long you are going.  Make sure you have an additional light layer, preferably a rain jacket, as weather is always unpredictable.  As a general rule, the uphill hiker, or outbound hiker, has the right away.  This person might pull to the side because they need a break, but if you are returning or going downhill, you should make the first attempt.  It is harder to restart upward momentum.  And finally, leave no trace.  Basically this means leave nature the way you found it – don’t build cairns (rock towers), take souvenirs, or leave any kind of trash, including toilet paper and fruit cores.  Anything you bring in, pack out.  For more information, check out the Leave No Trace website linked here.

You may see large cairns built by rangers and trail maintainers on mountain peaks and across meadows where it is difficult to mark trees or leave posts to guide hikers.  These are created carefully, purposely, and with respect for nature.  Building additional cairns can first and foremost confuse a hiker.  Additionally, it disrupts the fragile ecosystem and can lead to erosion. So whether you are on the trail, at a river, or an a lake, resist the temptation to build a rock tower out of respect for nature.  Ok, TEDTalk over.  Thanks for reading.

Back to the trail. When we arrived to the end of the High Line Trail, we hiked up a few switch backs to the viewpoint, and then climbed up a knoll a little further for a lunch spot free from crowds. As we settled in to eat, a doe wandered around us and a few ground squirrels kept sneaking up for fallen lunch bits. A good reminder to leave the wild wild – this was cool to be so close to these gentle creatures, but certainly not natural behavior. We refrained from feeding them, and instead admired their beauty.

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As we began our journey back, we noticed a couple with a camera looking up at the distant rock cliff face of the mountains.  We ventured over to see what they were staring at and were rewarded with distant sightings of bighorn sheep! With my camera lens fully extended, I could make out their movements along the rock ledges and their brown, curved horns.  After admiring them for a while, we headed farther down the path and caught sight of mountain goats! You wouldn’t believe the rock surfaces they are able to scale with ease.  These were two of animals on my bucket list to find and I accomplished it in one day.  Success!

The walk back was busy, yet uneventful. Back at the car we changed out of our boots and drove the 30 miles down the Going to the Sun Road to our campsite. To say we were tired would be an understatement, but it was a good tired. Nature fills my heart and soul. And the next day would definitely be an easy hike!